“An earnest storyteller with a gift for crafting instantly memorable melodies and empathetic lyrics.” - Billboard USA
“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.” — Terry McManus, MIA, Fanshawe College
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Dayna Manning is one of Canada’s most respected folk voices — a songwriter, producer, performer, playwright, mentor, and storyteller whose career spans more than 25 years. Known for blending literary songwriting with emotionally resonant melodies, she creates songs that honour people, landscapes, and the shared experiences that connect us, grounded in a distinctly Canadian sensibility of observation, compassion, humour, and authenticity. Over her career, Manning has released five acclaimed solo recordings and three albums with the folk trio Trent Severn, touring extensively across Canada and performing at theatres, folk festivals and concert halls nationwide. Her achievements include a JUNO Award nomination, 2023 FCMLA Ontario Independent Recording Artist of the Year, and in 2024 was inducted into the Canadian Folk Music Award’s Order of Folk. She was also an original performer on the famed Lilith Fair tour, with a live version of her song I Want featured on The Best of Lilith Fair. Beyond music, Manning is also an accomplished author whose memoir, Many Moons: A Songwriter’s Memoir, with a foreword by Chris Hadfield, explores creativity, touring, and artistic life in Canada. It was chosen as a Canadian Living Magazing best book of the season upon it's release. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, and her 2021 album Morning Light earned a Producer of the Year nomination at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Her 2026 new release Field Notes and upcoming musical Curveball debuting at the Blyth Festival 2026 season, continue her lifelong exploration of storytelling through song and stage.