Lifetime Achievement & Hall of Fame

2022
Presented by Apex Sound & Light

Established in 1964, formerly as the Oshawa Festival Singers, the Durham Girls' Choir evolved to a 60-person ensemble over the past five decades touring internationally and continuously astonishing the Durham Region music community. The choir is currently led by 2020 OMA Music Teacher of the Year recipient and accomplished director Kristine Dandavino.

Award-winning songwriter and co-founding member of the Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo, Greg Keelor has resided and recorded music in the Durham Region for over 40 years. In 2013, Keelor along with bandmate Jim Cuddy was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, "for their contributions to Canadian music and for their support of various charitable causes".

1970s pop group Wednesday from Oshawa, Ontario, was inducted to the OMA Hall of Fame on September 29, 2022. Known for their hits "Last Kiss" and "Teen Angel", the group reached global success topping US & Canadian Billboard charts and were nominated for a Juno "Most Promising Group" in 1974.

2021

Independent promoter, graphic designer, music journalist, radio host, record label owner, and record collector, the late Al Cole worked behind the scenes to cultivate and grow the music scene in Oshawa and Durham Region.

Guitarist and songwriter late Andy Gondek, an Oshawa-based musician, was known for his genius musicianship. He was a member of groups such as The Strollers, Moses, The Swamp, Headstone and Inner City Band.

Entrepreneur, Artist Manager, Record Label Executive, Talent Developer, International Marketing Expert, Music Publisher and educator Ivan Berry, resident of Pickering, Ontario, has dedicated his career to the Canadian music industry for over four decades.

2020
Presented by Durham College's Music Business Management

Bill & David Wilson were inducted to the Hall of Fame on April 25, 2020, for operating the longest running music store in Canada. Wilson and Lee Music Store in Oshawa, Ontario had been opened for 97 years before closing in 2020.

Violinist late Mike Kupnicki was honoured for his contributions to the Oshawa music community through founding Alto Music Store and Alto Records. He was the first violinist for what is now known as the Ontario Philharmonic based in Oshawa.

Late Mogens Galberg was the artist director of Green Bank Folk Music Society running concerts since 1993 at the Centennial Hall in Greenbank, Ontario. Under his guidance, he kept live music happening in Durham Region within the small town for 27 years.

All of the many members of the late 1960s' early 70s' bands Reign Ghost, Christmas and Spirit of Christmas individually and collaboratively made waves in the Canadian industry recording albums, performing live, and through their own projects and combined efforts as musicians.

2019

Highly accomplished recording artist, songwriter, producer, vocal coach, and artist development mentor Roberta Michele has three decades of contemporary music experience and has helped countless artists find their voice through her coaching. In 2010, she launched the vocal boutique, The Bird Loft School of Voice in Oshawa, Ontario.

2018

Dale Russell, most famously known as the lead guitarist of the Canadian rock band The Guess Who, has dedicated over five decades of creating music for radio, TV and film. In 2003, he co-founded S.A.S.S. (The School Alliance of Student Songwriters) to help young songwriters hone their craft in the Durham Region.

Welcome to the OMA Hall of Fame

Join our Nominating & Voting Committee

Each year, The OMAs seeks help from the music community to build a roster of qualified musicians and industry professionals to serve as jurors.