For the purpose of this research applicants must be Latin Canadian musicians and professionals based in Canada who self-identify as having Latin American heritage, including Hispanic-Caribbean (IE: Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico), Indigenous and/or Afro-Latin roots.

Their work focuses on the stylistic intention, song structure and/or lyrical content that reflects the broad spectrum of traditional and contemporary Latin American music. Latin American music, in this case, features a majority of Spanish and/or Brazilian Portuguese lyrics, as well as instrumental recordings that are rooted in traditional and or contemporary Latin American styles.

Survey and focus groups particiapnts must be:

• 18 years of age or older.

• Currently living in Canada.

• Involved in the music industry as an artist, music creator, or industry professional.

• Identify as a member of the Latin-Canadian community.

Our research employs a two-step methodology:

An initial survey to gather diverse insights from people working on Latin music in the Canadian music industry, followed by the selection of up to 40 participants for focus groups aimed at further exploring these perspectives. Selection of the focus group will be based on capturing a diverse and experienced pool within our target population, including key stakeholders, using randomization as needed.

Survey applications are open until 2 weeks after launch.

Focus Groups will be held in early April at a date to be announced.

The focus group will take place over Zoom and will be recorded (both audio and video) and stored on the secure Toronto Metropolitan University Google Drive. The video recording will be deleted as soon as possible. When participating in the focus group participants may turn off their cameras. The audio recordings will be transcribed, and after two weeks the audio recordings will be deleted. Only the researcher named in this study and designated research team members will have access to the information and data collected.

Your individual responses (i.e., raw data) will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team. Once the research is completed, the lead researcher will store the de-identified data for up to two years.

Your participation will not, in any way, affect your past, current or future relationship with Toronto Metropolitan University, Speaking Non-English or Mitacs.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board (REB 2023-284).

The focus group will not be able to guarantee anonymity or confidentiality due to its interactive nature with other participants. Participants may use pseudonyms and are advised to choose private locations for participation.

Personal information will be protected, with contact details used exclusively for study-related communications. Recordings will be securely stored and deleted after transcription.

Participation is voluntary, with no impact on professional relationships or opportunities within the music industry for opting in or out.

After the study, de-identified data will be kept for up to two years.

Selected survey applicants will receive an email notification to participate in the focus groups

The focus groups will take place via Zoom and last approximately 1-hour.

Since we need to collect identifiable information, including names and email addresses in order to identify and contact focus group participants, the survey cannot be fully anonymous. This contact information will, however, be stored separately and will be deleted after concluding the Focus Groups.

Selected applicants who participate in the focus groups will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

For inquiries or questions please reach out to info@speakingnonenglish.ca