Sounds of Silence

Ben Finley, bass Ben Finley is a performer-composer specializing in the bass (acoustic and electric, sometimes with FX). He performs in various creative music ensembles and often composes music that attempts to engage the diverse life experiences of its participants while co-creating community connections with land. Since 2018, he has facilitated Westben’s Performer-Composer Residency—a celebration of a wide variety of sound practices—and is also Westben’s sustainability coordinator. Ben is currently undertaking his PhD in critical studies in improvisation at the University of Guelph, where he studies music and festivals as sites of eco-cultural regeneration.

Ian Wright, drums Ian Wright is an award-winning, Torontobased drummer, composer and dance-accompanist. Ian has developed a thoughtful and unique approach to his instrument that has been recognized by the Toronto Arts Foundation, Humber College, The Banff Centre, Galaxie Music, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Juno Awards for his work with Sammy Jackson. Since receiving his bachelors degree in music from Humber College in 2014, Ian has been consistently performing locally, nationally and internationally with many groups and artists including Toronto’s Autobahn Trio, Sammy Jackson, Local Talent by Projectwhatever, BROS (Ewan and Shamus Currie of The Sheepdogs), Ottawa's Kellylee Evans and Montreal’s Emily Rockarts, to name a few. Additionally, Ian is a regular dance accompanist at many of Toronto’s leading dance institutions, including the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Ryerson University and The School of Toronto Dance Theatre.

Etenem Oton

ET the Mime is considered one of Canada's best mime artists. He performs his pantomime worldwide to packed theatres in the USA, Canada, Italy, Jamaica and Mexico. He has opened up for many celebrities such as the Nylons, The Wild Strawberries and Chantel Kreviazuk. You may recognize him from his TV appearances on ‘The Comedy Network’ and weekly on 'The Big Comfy Couch.' His live show is always a wonderful treat as he combines physical illusion with hilarious improvised Mime!