Six local music businesses have been selected by the Yukon Film and Sound Commission to attend a three-day Music Summit, a component of Canadian Music Week in Toronto set for March 21-23.

The successful applicants are Declan O'Donovan, Gary Bremner Photography, Green Needle Records, Matt Sarty, Kim Winnicky and Sarah MacDougall.

The applicants have been selected to attend pre-Canadian Music Week sessions with mentor David J. Taylor, who will assist them in preparing for the conference.

Taylor is an award-winning audio professional who has previously lectured and mentored at many events, including the South by Southwest Music Conference and Breakout West.

Participants in the Music Summit will be guided by Taylor during the event.

"We're very excited to receive this support because we would not have otherwise been able to attend the Music Summit,” said Jim Holland, Green Needle Records' founder.

"This will be a great opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry and to get the word out to artists and other potential clients about our unique studio environment.”

The Economic Development department's Enterprise Trade Fund will assist these business people financially to help offset the cost of registration, travel and accommodation.

Here is some background information on the summit's participants from the Yukon:

• Declan O'Donovan: The born-and-raised Yukon musician released his first full-length studio album as a solo artist in August 2012 to a sold-out audience at the Yukon Arts Centre.

O'Donovan has also played with numerous bands including artists in Montreal and the beloved Yukon band Scotch.

O'Donovan will showcase at the Canadian Music Fest during Canadian Music Week.

• Gary Bremner Photography: The photography duo of Gary and Brianne Bremner provide many local musicians with promotional photos and album covers, adding to their roster of event, family, and wedding photography.

The business has recently expanded into video work for musicians, and its owners are keen to connect with more of the music industry.

• Green Needle Records: A new recording studio close to Whitehorse will soon be available.

Green Needle Records is being built and will be operated by Holland, a recording engineer.

The studio and its facilities will give musicians the chance to truly retreat while recording. It is scheduled for completion late this summer.

• Matt Sarty: A contributor to the music and arts scene in Dawson City, Sarty hails from a background in music festivals and broadcasting in New Brunswick.

He is the presentation and events co-ordinator at the Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture and a dedicated volunteer on the Dawson City Music Festival board.

• Kim Winnicky: A local producer and events co-ordinator, Winnicky is best-known as the producer and artistic director for the Atlin Arts and Music Festival.

Winnicky also works with the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Camp and has previously co-ordinated the Yukon Summer Music Camp.

• Sarah MacDougall: The winner of the 2012 Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Solo Recording of the Year, MacDougall originally hails from Sweden, now resides in Whitehorse and regularly tours internationally.

Her most recent album, The Greatest Ones Alive, was recently released in South Korea. MacDougall is showcasing at the Canadian Music Fest during Canadian Music Week.

• David J. Taylor (mentor): An award-winning record producer, engineer, mixer and musician, Taylor has worked on more than 100 recording projects.

He's toured across Canada more than 40 times, performed and headlined at music festivals and has seen his songs placed in feature film, TV series and TV/radio ads.

Taylor has won awards for his audio work in the film and television industry in a number of capacities.

Notable productions include Corner Gas, the 2012 Academy Award-nominated film Wild Life, and The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.

Taylor is also an educator, having lectured and mentored at many events including The South by Southwest Music Conference and Breakout West.

The Yukon participants are being congratulated by Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon.

"These local businesspeople have clearly demonstrated their commitment to building a career in Yukon's music industry,” Dixon said.

"We are pleased to provide this opportunity to our Yukon sound professionals. Their participation in this prestigious professional and corporate development program will result in valuable contributions to the growth of the industry.”

The Enterprise Trade Fund is designed to stimulate Yukon business activity through market expansion and business development,” Dixon added.

"Attendance at the three-day Music Summit meets the eligibility criteria on two levels, both through event participation and business skills development.”