The SHINE! Music Bursary is an annual financial award intended to support young musicians for whom financial barriers are making it difficult for them to pursue their study or practice of music.
Individual award amounts vary, ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $2,000.

This bursary is available to youth who:

1. face financial barriers which impede their practice and/or study of music

2. are between the ages of 16 to 24

3. live in the Greater Toronto Area or surrounding areas

4. whose music fits into any of these categories: Singer-songwriter, Roots, Folk, or Traditional

In order for your application to be reviewed by the Selection Committee, you must provide three things:

1. a completed online application
2. a music sample (or more than one if you wish),
3. and a letter of reference (or more than one if you wish).

Music Sample(s): must clearly show you performing on your instrument. We do not require a professional-quality recording for the Music Sample. Video recorded on smartphones or other hand-held devices is acceptable.

You may provide more than one Music Sample. Music samples in which you are a member of a musical group are acceptable provided that you and your instrument are clearly identifiable within the recording.

Music Samples may be submitted as links to YouTube or other video and music-sharing services. Music Samples may also be submitted as music files uploaded via our “Contact Us” form.

Letter(s) of Reference

Your Referrer(s) must complete the Letter of Reference template. It contains guidelines that will improve your chances of being selected for a bursary.

The Letter of Reference must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of your application or can be submitted to us directly by your Referrer(s) via our “Contact Us” form.

Candidates may apply at any time throughout the year.

Applications received (or post-marked) by January 15th will be considered for this year. (Applications received after the 15 January deadline may be considered among the following years’ applications.)

This year’s award(s) will be announced within weeks of the application deadline..

To be considered for this bursary, the applicant must adequately demonstrate the nature of the challenges they are facing, including their level of financial need.

Among other factors, the Selection Committee must weigh which applicants’ need appears to be the greatest.

So, the applicant should try to express and explain their need as much as possible.

This bursary is intended to support individuals who play an organic musical instrument in the traditional understanding of the word (e.g. guitar, piano, strings, brass, woodwind, etc.).

For the purposes of this bursary, digital production, sampling, and other techniques of generating music by computer are not considered organic musical instruments and are therefore not eligible for this bursary.

While being able to play an actual musical instrument is a definite advantage, those who sing may apply for the bursary.

SHINE! mainly supports the following kinds of music: singer-songwriter, roots, folk, roots, traditional, including Celtic and bluegrass.

The Selection Committee will also consider other genres, however the applicant should understand that the further their music strays from the above description, the less likely it is that they will be considered for a bursary.

Any adult who can credibly speak to the reasons why you deserve (as well as why you need) the financial support of this bursary. Examples include: current or past teachers, guidance counsellors, Child & Youth Workers, social workers, spiritual or community leaders, parole officers, etc.

After the deadline, all submissions are reviewed by our Selection Committee. A volunteer panel made up of music industry professionals, performers and youth agency workers, among others.

The Selection Committee is tasked with reviewing the completed applications, music samples and letters of reference that have been submitted on behalf of each applicant.

Based on the materials provided, the Selection Committee will select at least 5 applicants who have demoonstrated demonstrated the most compelling combination of need and musical talent.

Yes, you must ALSO answer the following three questions in addition to completing all application requirements.

Questions to Answer:
1. how your previous bursary funds were used
2. what progress you’ve made since receiving your previous award
3. why you feel additional support is needed and deserved

Originally known as the Jim Fay Music Bursary, SHINE! was inaugurated in 2010 by the family and friends of Jim Fay.
Over the years, SHINE! has added bursaries to help celebrate the memory of other great musical friends whom we have lost much too soon, including: James Gray, Doug Queen, Bruce Adamson & Gord Goodwin

Visit In Honour Of to learn more!

Funding for the SHINE! Music Bursary is raised through our annual SHINE! Concert and through generous donations from individuals and groups. Donations are welcome throughout the year. Please Contact Us to make a donation.

Thank you for writing a Letter of Reference in support of this individual’s application for a SHINE Music Bursary. Please use the Referral Letter Template

Once completed, provide the applicant with a copy of the reference letter so they may submit it as part of their application or you may provide it directly to us. 

Via “Contact Us” and select “Referral Letter Submission” from the dropdown.