MEIEA Summit 2025

         Jan-Olof Gullö, Moderator
2:45 - The Capstone Challenge: Re-evaluating Senior Project
3:15 - Navigating Barriers: Enhancing Visibility and Opportunities for Latin Canadian Artists in the Music Industry

The Capstone Challenge: Re-evaluating Senior Project
  Paul Linden, University of Southern Mississippi
This presentation re-evaluates presuppositions surrounding senior project, often called capstone or capstone experience. In particular, the one-semester model warrants closer inspection, given the expectations it is designed to satisfy. As a structured, culminating experience, capstones tend to synthesize all relevant coursework within the major, providing evidence of acquired skills, highlighted portfolio material and in some cases assessment material informing program evaluation and orientation. The challenge of successfully responding to these items in a single semester is compounded by the fact that students may start off without a clear idea of what they want their capstone project to be, with about ninety days to deliver it. This presentation opens the question of how a two-semester model can more adequately respond to the capstone challenge by splitting the project into two major phases of research and production. Topics will include formulating and defending a proposal, student intentionality and values, as well as resource management.

Navigating Barriers: Enhancing Visibility and Opportunities for Latin Canadian Artists in the Music Industry
  Charlie Wall-Andrews, The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
      This research project was funded in part by a MEIEA Research Grant.
Latin music has had a global economic and cultural impact, but Latin Canadian artists still struggle in the Canadian music industry. This study examines the main barriers to Latin music’s growth and visibility in Canada, how identity and categorization affect Latin Canadian artists’ opportunities and recognition, and how to improve their representation and inclusion. To gather insights from Latin artists and industry members across Canada, we used a mixed-methods survey and focus groups. Despite Latin music’s global popularity, Latin Canadian artists face identity, categorization, and opportunity issues that hinder their domestic and international success. The study emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to overcome these barriers, promote inclusion, and help Latin Canadian artists succeed. Key recommendations include raising industry awareness, building supportive networks, and implementing policies that celebrate Canada’s diverse Latin music community.