Meet the Board
About the Board
The SaskMusic Board makes policy for and develops the strategic direction of SaskMusic. Board members are volunteers, serving on committees and often times helping present our various events and activities.
We welcome and encourage board members from all over Saskatchewan. We seek diversity and invite interest from candidates representing many different roles and musical attitudes. A call for nominations is distributed to our voting membership annually in May/June in advance of our Annual General Meeting, at which time board elections are held.
Terms are two years in length, with Directors serving a maximum of three consecutive terms. The Executive is appointed from within the Board, by the Board, following each AGM. More information on board duties can be found on our AGM page.
Brad Bellegarde (Regina)
First term: June 2021-June 2023
Second term: June 2023-June 2025
CBC Future 40 Award Winner and Neechie Gear Role Model, Brad Bellegarde aka InfoRed has been a featured artist at events such as Aboriginal Music Week in Winnipeg, Manitoba, APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live and Vancouver’s Olympic Games celebrations. Brad is a proud Nakota/Cree member of the Little Black Bear First Nation who calls Regina, SK home. A true believer that education is the new Buffalo, his work in schools gave him a unique opportunity to present his methods of education at the VIII International Conference of Intercultural Education in Indigenous Contexts in Temuco, Chile. In 2012, InfoRed performed for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during their Royal visit.
Mike Davis (North Portal)
First term: June 2023-June 2025
Mike is a singer-songwriter with over 25 years of experience as a guitar player and vocalist. Mike has been working as a musician since the age of 16 when he toured the US and Bermuda with The Continentals. In recent years, Mike has been a member of the folk trio, Hook & Nail. The band’s debut album which Mike co-produced was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award. In 2019, he and his wife formed Last Birds. The duo was nominated for multiple awards in 2021 and 2022, including a Saskatchewan Music Award for Roots/Folk Artist of the Year as well as Saskatchewan Country Music Association’s Group and Alternative Country Album of the Year. His success in music can be attributed in part to his business sense. He operated his own construction company in Estevan for over 10 years.
Xuan Deng (Regina)
Appointed April 2024
First term elected: June 2024-June 2026
Xuan Deng is a dedicated finance professional and passionate music enthusiast, originally from China and now a long-time resident of Regina. She graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Regina and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Currently, Xuan serves as the Manager of Finance at a prominent non-profit organization, where she oversees financial operations and ensures the organization's fiscal health. Her role involves strategic financial planning, budget management, and financial reporting, all of which she handles with precision and dedication. Having lived in Regina for over a decade, Xuan has become an integral part of the community. Beyond her professional achievements, she has a deep passion for music. With ten years of experience playing the piano, music remains a significant and fulfilling part of her life.
Marian Donnelly (Regina)
First term: June 2021-June 2023
Second term: June 2023-June 2025
Marian has worked in the creative industries since 1975. Between 1976 and 1996, Marian worked as an artist manager, concert and festival producer, music publisher and tour manager in Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver. In 1996, she returned to Regina to work as Executive Director of SaskMusic. In 2002, she worked as Cultural Industries Consultant to the Province of Saskatchewan, and was then hired as General Manager of Globe Theatre from 2003-2005. In 2006, Marian returned to school and earned her MBA. As a consultant, she facilitated and developed strategic plans for organizations across Canada, including the Atlantic Presenters Assoc. and the Canadian Gospel Music Assoc. She wrote a municipal cultural plan for the City of Yorkton and was an associate consultant on the development of a cultural plan for Saskatoon. She also renovated a heritage building in Regina’s downtown, which opened in 2011 as the Creative City Centre, home to artist studios, a visual art gallery and small performance venue. The CCC presented 150-200 shows per year at this vibrant but intimate venue. With the pandemic lockdown, the CCC transitioned from performance venue to production studio and creating digital content for artists.
Uzochi Ifeanyiukachu (Regina)
First term: June 2022-2024
Second term: June 2024-2026
Coined on media as Canada's Queen of Afrobeats, Uzochi performs as "Zochi", a performing artist recently with sets for Jully Black and Solitair at the Grand River Black Music Festival in Ontario June 15-16 2024, Nominated for Contemporary Artist of The Year at the 2022 Saskatchewan Music Awards, Headliner 2022 and 2023 at the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, performer at the Nuit Blanche YWR 2023. Nigerian-born, Regina-based singer, songwriter, and performer Zochi has earned a title for herself in the Saskatchewan music scene. Starting her commercial musical journey in 2018 with first single "Introduction," an alternative hip-hop track, creating local buzz on SoundCloud, played in clubs and house parties across the city. Her 3 track Capsule "Otloha" Of The Lord Of Heaven's Armies comprising of lo-fi and classical sounds proved her artistry and versatility, featuring an intimate alternative gospel track "Midnight Praise". The singer never fails to keep it real in her music, and that can be felt through the emotion-provoking melodies and the poetic justice of her lyrics. Aside from taking on the entertainment industry one stanza at a time, Zochi has served as board member at SaskMusic for 2 years. This position has brought insight and developed understanding for the singer. Showing support and serving the city she creates art from is of due diligence for Zochi.
Walter Jeworski (Regina)
First term: June 2023-June 2025
Walter is a Music Production & Engineering graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston. With experience at the renowned MSR Studios in NYC, he has worked on sessions with GRAMMY award-winning artists. He currently resides in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan, where he engineers, mixes and masters records for clients both local and international including Marina Satti, The Atlanta Opera, TOVA, Samurai Champs, Jeffery Straker, and more.
Shannon Josdal (Saskatoon)
First term: June 2019-June 2021
Second term: June 2021-June 2023
Past President (a non-voting, advisory position): June 2023-June 2025
Shannon is an entertainment buyer, venue manager, and music educator with over ten years’ experience in the creative industries. Originally from Regina, she is a graduate of the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario and the Integrated Musical Theatre program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Shannon has worked with venues of all sizes throughout the province, as well as artists ranging from up-and-comers to international headliners. As a music educator, she has taught students ranging in age from 4 - adult in both private and classroom settings. She brings to the Board a wealth of experience in entertainment contracts, negotiation, event planning, budget management, and audience engagement.
Jackie Kroczynski (North Battleford)
First term: June 2023-June 2025
Jackie is a multitalented artist originally hailing from Saskatoon, known for her lifelong passion for music and storytelling. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Art) and has showcased her musical talents as both a performer and conductor in Concert and Jazz Bands across Western Canada and Europe. Her newest album, She’s A Story was released on March 8, 2023. Jackie has served on the board for Saskatchewan Music Educators Association and has been a Councillor for the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation. Jackie currently serves as a board member for The Scene (formerly the Battlefords Jazz Society). She has been a teacher writer for the new SK. Band 10,20,30 curriculum and wrote the Arts Ed 20 Virtual Course for Living Sky School Division. Currently based in North Battleford, Jackie’s creativity has allowed her to travel many places, including a recent showcase at Your Roots Are Showing in Ireland with her husband Tom Kroczynski. Jackie is grateful for the support that she has received from FACTOR, Canada Council for the Arts, SK Arts and Creative Saskatchewan.
Photo credit: Nicole Romanoff
Erik Mehlsen (Regina)
First term: June 2023-June 2025
Erik Mehlsen is a songwriter, performer, label-owner, gear-hauler, theory-teacher, merch-seller, what-it-takes jack of all trades who has tried nearly every music-related job at least once. With several hundred performances and festivals across Europe, USA, UK, and Canada, a number of JUNO and WCMA awards, four published books, a songwriting app, and a diverse publishing catalogue, Erik has quietly amassed an impressive music resume. Spending less time touring in recent years has meant his focus has shifted more to mentorship, label work, and music production. He currently runs Sharp 5 Records, is a partner in Wrist Shot Records and Books, teaches private lessons, and has spent several stints teaching in remote communities in Saskatchewan's north.
Katie M. Newman (Saskatoon)
Appointed April 2024
First term elected: June 2024-2026
Katie is a lawyer practicing in Saskatoon with a profound passion for music. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Katie obtained a B. Mus in Cello Performance from McGill University and was an active performer in both Regina and Montreal. Born and raised in Regina, Katie began playing with the Regina Symphony Orchestra in 2008 and went on to play with many different ensembles such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and Orchestre de l’Agora. She has also toured with several musical theatre productions, and has performed with and recorded for a number of pop and indie artists. Today, Katie balances her legal career with her love for music, driven by a commitment to nurturing Saskatchewan’s arts community.
Katie Sahlu (Regina)
First term: June 2022-June 2024
Second term: June 2024-June 2026
Katie is a Canadian Hot 100 songwriter with an honours diploma in Entertainment Business Management from Metalworks Institute of Sound and Music Production. She had worked with various recording labels and agencies while based in Toronto. She has served as a JUNO Awards judge and has been a FACTOR Juror for a number of years. With a focus on urban music, she enjoys dedicating time to consult with artists to help with grants, marketing, songwriting/beat selection, etc. and has recently relocated back to her home province of Saskatchewan.
Arjun Shankar (Regina)
Appointed April 2024
First term elected: June 2024-June 2026
Arjun is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and session player. Having grown up surrounded by world music and East Indian rhythms and ragas, Arjun got into jazz and funk bands in his youth where he played on the road and in studios for the better part of 15 years. These days, Arjun’s primary instrument is the electric bass and he’s always looking for dedicated musicians to collaborate with. By day, Arjun is a Senior Crown Prosecutor with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, and has been a lawyer for about 14 years. Arjun lives in Regina with his (not so little) cat Brennan, and is super excited to be a part of SaskMusic.
Christopher Tessmer (Regina)
First term: June 2024-June 2026
Chris (he/him) has been involved in Saskatchewan Music for over 20 years and has a passion for the industry and community. Over his career, he has owned and operated a successful concert promotion company, managed and tour-managed artists, operated a record label with national distribution, managed large-scale productions, interviewed acts of all shapes (local to international) for multiple media publications, and much more. Presently, he owns and operates The Analog Group, a talent-booking and event production management company that regularly works with clients like Casino Regina/SaskGaming, SGI, Molson Coors, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and numerous others. Chris is passionate about the big picture, but also willing to dig into the minutiae, to ensure the best possible outcomes. He also has multiple years of board experience working with a multi-million dollar non-profit, pushing to safeguard the best interests of the organization and its membership. His experience working acts large and small, and collaborating with multinational organizations and local groups gives him a wide breadth of insight and knowledge that will be greatly beneficial to SaskMusic and its membership.
