Peak Performance Project 2010 Finalists

The Peak Performance Project is well into its second year and today they announced their Top 20 Finalists for 2010.

The annual competition (that will go on until 2015) aims to seek out local music talent, mentor them, send them to bootcamp, showcase them in a special concert series, and have the public vote on their favourite. The crowned champion will receive $105,000 and the secondary prizes are nothing to sneeze at either. So far just for qualifying, each of the 20 finalists have been awarded $3,500 to work on their craft. In partnership with Music BC, this is a legacy program run by The Peak that is working wonders for the British Columbia music scene.

The Top 20 Finalists for 2010:

2009 winners We Are the City

Adaline (Vancouver)
Kuba Oms (Victoria)
41st and Home (Vancouver)
Acres of Lions (Victoria)
Aidan Knight (Victoria)
Behind Sapphire (Vancouver)
Bodhi Jones (Vancouver)
Christina Maria (Surrey)
Christopher Arruda (Nanaimo)

2009 winners We Are the City

Debra-Jean (Vancouver)
Delhi 2 Dublin (Vancouver) *declined/unable to participate
Greg Sczebel (Salmon Arm)
Jess Hill (Vancouver)
Kyprios (North Vancouver)
Parlour Steps (Vancouver)
The Racoons (Vancouver) *declined/unable to participate
Said the Whale (Vancouver)
Steph Macpherson (Victoria)
Vince Vaccaro (Victoria)
Yes Nice (Burnaby)

They had over 470 entries this year and from what I hear, it was a pretty tough decision to narrow it down. “It was a long process and we had to be fair to everybody,” said Bob D’eith of Music BC. “The talent was just incredible.” Among the finalists are Irish/Banghra fusion group, hip hop, and folk artists. “There’s such a diversity,” continued D’eith. “That’s the beauty of The Peak, they can play it all.”

A few of last year’s runners up, Adaline and Kuba Ohms, were giving an automatic spot in this year’s event. Others returned from last year who climbed their way to the top of the pack, such as Bodhi Jones.

The 2009 winners, We Are the City have been hard at work since winning the series last year. Touring, making music, and helping promote other local acts such as The Zolas. Second place The Left and third place Bend Sinister have been busy as well with Bend Sinister playing a show in New York City this week.

The Top 20 will move onto live performance coaching sessions before taking off for bootcamp this summer where they’re learn the ins and outs of songwriting, performing, and take part in some team-building events at a retreat. In the fall there will be a series of showcase concerts at a local venue where the finalists will compete for the public’s love and affection. Given the line up of finalists, these shows are bound to be hot ticket events.