The SOCAN Foundation honoured Dominique Fils-Aimé and JESSIA, with $10,000 each, as the 2026 recipients of the sixth annual Her Music Awards, presented by Anthem Music Group, during a reception at the George restaurant in downtown Toronto, on Feb. 23, 2026. The Foundation also recognized Robyn Stewart, Executive Director of Women in Music Canada, with a special industry honour acknowledging her leadership, advocacy, and transformative impact on the careers of music creators and industry professionals.
The Her Music Awards celebrate and support women and gender-diverse Canadian music creators and industry professionals who are shaping the future of the music industry. In addition to the monetary award, the winners also receive a one-year complimentary membership to the Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.).
“We’re excited to honour Dominique Fils-Aimé and JESSIA with this year’s Her Music Awards, recognizing outstanding artists who are making remarkable strides in their careers,’ said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of SOCAN Foundation. “We’re also proud to recognize Robyn Stewart for her outstanding leadership, and her continued commitment to advancing equity and opportunity within the Canadian music industry. We also extend our gratitude to Anthem Music Group for their ongoing support, which enables women music creators across Canada to thrive and help shape the future of our industry.”
Dominique Fils-Aimé to whom SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown presented the award, is a two-time JUNO Award-winning Montreal singer-songwriter and has established herself as a defining force in vocal jazz. She recently unveiled her new studio album, My World Is The Sun. With this body of work, Fils-Aimé continues her exploration of sonic, creative, and spiritual freedom. In recent years, she’s performed on such prestigious stages as the Blue Note New York, Blue Note Los Angeles, and the Monterey Jazz Festival, as well as Jazz à Vienne (opening for Jamie Cullum), and the North Sea Jazz Festival. In 2026, Fils-Aimé will bring her new album to the stage on a world tour, with concerts announced in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
”Support and encouragement in the shape of the Her Music Award contributes to the echo of our art and soul,” said Fils-Aimé. “I’m honoured to receive this recognition, as it is proof that standing firm in my purpose is something worth celebrating. I extend my congratulations and gratitude to JESSIA, and all the creators who allow this path to exist through them. More art means more humanity.”
JESSIA is a JUNO Award–winning, multi-platinum Canadian pop artist and songwriter. She broke through in 2021 with “I’m Not Pretty,” a raw and vulnerable song about self-image that has surpassed 300 million streams globally. At the core of JESSIA’s artistry is her songwriting, crafting songs that blend infectious pop melodies with deeply personal lyricism. Her work explores themes of mental health, self-acceptance, love, and personal growth, delivered through a distinctive vocal style and fearless emotional transparency. Her music has taken her around the world, touring internationally, and sharing stages with artists such as OneRepublic, Dean Lewis, and Maroon 5, while also headlining her own tours and performing at major festivals. Now fully independent, JESSIA has embraced creative freedom, allowing her sound and storytelling to evolve even further. Her upcoming EP, set for release in March of 2026, marks her most sonically and emotionally refined body of work to date, highlighting her growth as a songwriter, and her commitment to authenticity above all else.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be chosen for the Her Music Award.,” she says. “As a fully independent artist, support and recognition like this hits 10 times harder. I hope my journey inspires other independent women in music to keep pushing and advocating for themselves, regardless of views, streams, ticket sales, or whatever challenges this industry throws their way. Thank you to SOCAN Foundation for supporting me when I had 200 followers and one song out, and continuing to champion female songwriters.”
The Her Music Awards are supported by SOCAN Foundation and generous financial contributions from both SOCAN Foundation and Anthem Music Group. Applications were evaluated based on several criteria, including artistic merit, career potential, and overall impact.