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ABOUT
EYM

The EYM Project developed out of the collective work of a team of talented artists and educators based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada who share a deep commitment to youth, creativity, and community. Drawing on years of experience in classrooms, studios, and performance spaces, the team designed EYM to be a hands-on, youth-centered approach to music education and mentorship.

CARTER CHIASSON

EYM PROJECT FOUNDER

Carter Chiasson is a Canadian educator and musician with over three decades experience working arts, culture, and education. In 2014, he transitioned from the stage and studio to the classroom, where he has spent the past 10 years working closely with high-risk youth.

Carter’s original film and music projects with youth have been featured on national and international stages. Highlights include the creation of original musical works for the National Arts Center of Canada, performances at United Nations events in Africa and the Middle East, a performance for Canadian delegates at the Pan American games in Peru and the quarantune ‘Ancient and Forever’ featuring students and musicians from across Cape Breton singing in 4 different languages.

In 2020, Carter was awarded the MusiCounts Music Teacher of the Year JUNO, a Canada wide award honoring his work in music education. In 2025, he was awarded the King Charles Medal which celebrates individuals who have made a significant contribution to their communities. Carter’s work has been recognized by world leaders and celebrated by artists such as Paul McCartney.

In 2025, he founded the Empower Youth Music Project, an initiative dedicated to empowering young artists through innovative music and film projects that celebrate cultural identity and addresses social issues.

EMMA STEVENS

EYM YOUTH EMBASSADOR

For the past seven years, Mi’kmaq singer-songwriter Emma Stevens (22) has been a tireless advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, the preservation of her language and culture, and the challenges facing Mi’kmaq youth.

Stevens has traveled the world to raise awareness of her heritage, performing across Canada, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Mexico and Europe, where she has sung and spoken to leaders and policymakers from around the globe.

Recently, Emma has expanded her work beyond music into public speaking, sharing her experiences and advocating for cultural preservation and youth empowerment. In the spring of 2025, she was invited to perform and speak at United Nations events in Mexico and Egypt, reaching international audiences and emphasizing the importance of Indigenous languages and artistic expression. These engagements reflect her growing influence as both a performer and a young leader, using her platform to inspire others and promote cross-cultural understanding.

As a youth ambassador for the Empower Youth Music (EYM) Project, Emma is committed to mentoring the next generation of artists, fostering creativity, and encouraging young people to find their voice through music and the arts.

“Her version (of Blackbird) is so beautiful that it made me “nervous about performing my version.” — Paul McCartney