I remember, when I was younger, I would dream about having a megaphone. In the dream, I’d be speaking to everyone—setting everyone free. I just love that; telling everyone things to encourage them to rebel. I feel like poetry is that. The poems that I want to include in Extended Mic will be, of course, meaningful, and they’ll have to speak to people and say something.

We see it time and time again in our studio. The kids who come to see us often have this perception that music is magic, that it can’t be understood. Learning about melody and harmony, chord progressions, and just how simple the construction of their favourite music is, a lot of the time, helps to break down that mysticism, making learning the language of music more accessible.

Wenzdae (she/her) is an Afro-Indigenous, multi-media artist hailing from the Georgian Bay Metis Community, of which she is a registered and claimed member.

Erika Flores (she/her) is a self-taught Toronto illustrator, poet, and multimedia artist. She is best known for using diverse mediums such as digital illustration, acrylic paintings, and engravings. Notable clients include: Nike, NBA, WNBA, Microsoft, AFC Toronto, PWHL Toronto Sceptres.

From Tkaronto (Toronto), Ontario, Cal has been sharing their story as a Filipinx, Queer, Transgender, Non-binary person for over a decade, prioritizing uplifting the stories of marginalized communities (e.g. 2SLGBTQIA+, PGM/BIPOC).