Juno nominated artist Dayna Manning exemplifies the very best that Canadian Folk music can be.  Her cool clear voice along with her insightful songs represent a history of Canadian musical art that goes back to the early ’60s and sounds just as vital today.  A modern renaissance artist, Dayna recently produced Trent Severn’s third album “Portage”, designed the Stratford Festival’s best-selling 60th-anniversary t-shirt, and was just nominated for the 2021 Canadian Folk Music  Awards "Producer of the Year" for her latest solo album “Morning Light”.  She recently penned her first book, a chronological memoir through song, “Many Moons: A Songwriter’s Memoir” released by Blue Moon Publishers with a foreword by Chris Hadfield.  In 2016 Dayna founded the “Folk Army”, a private music instruction academy in Stratford Ontario.  The Folk Army’s mission is to empower young girls to make a positive change in their communities through leadership, creativity, thoughtful performance, and positive self-esteem.  She has just recently finished producing Folk Army alumni Hannah Thomas’s full-length debut album, “Christmas Don’t Be Late” with an entirely local cast of fabulous Stratford musicians. 

"About six years ago I decided to focus my career investments in what was around me here in my hometown of Stratford, Ontario,” Manning explains.  She began focusing entirely on telling localized stories and sought to deepen connections with artists who could collaborate locally.  “Everyone needs to support an eco-friendly economy now and in the future.  I believe in supporting the community I love and I am lucky they support me in return.“  Manning adds, “sometimes artists have to dig deep to find beauty and sometimes it is just all around you”, says Manning,  “I enjoy creating with artists of all skill levels and ages, and with Folk Army, I wanted to teach the next generation how to be a thoughtful, community-oriented, sustainable artist with many skills."