Bio

Since moving to Canada from Turkey in August 1998, Juneyt has built a large, dedicated following through his regular, electric performances throughout Kitchener-Waterloo, the GTA and beyond.

Juneyt’s peers recognize him as a highly talented, professional musician whose passionate performances have earned him nominations for:

• Toronto Independent Music Awards (2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017),

• Waterloo Region Arts Awards (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019),

• Record Readers Choice Awards (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023).

Juneyt had the honor of winning:

• Echo Magazine’s Best Local Musician Award,

• 29 Diamond Readers Choice Awards in up to 4 different categories (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023).

• 2019 Waterloo Region Arts Awards (2019)

• And in 2017 Toronto Independent Music Awards -Best Instrumental & Best Classical Categories.

He has performed at numerous festivals representing Canada in Europe, Asia, South & North America such as:

Mexico International Guitar Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Niagara Jazz Festival, Riverside Festival, Millrace Festival, Red Gorilla Festival Texas, Richmond International Music Festival, Guelph Latin Festival, Toronto Latin Festival, Cambridge Latin Festival, Waterloo Latin Festival, Grate Cheese Festival, Bon Soup Festival, Rib-Fest Cambridge, Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, Kultrun International Music Festival, Summers End Festival, Summer Lights Festival, Fresh Ayr Festival, Hamilton Turkish Festival, Toronto Turkish Festival, London Turkish Festival, Kitchener/Waterloo Turkish Festival, Waterloo Streets Festival, Bestival Festival, Canada Music Week to mention a few.

In recognition of his amazing musical talent, Juneyt has been chosen for numerous honors throughout his career including serving as a judge for the Ontario Arts Council, Turkish Culture Language Olympiads, The Shot –International Vocal Competition, working as a campaign musician for the Mayor of Waterloo and performing at numerous local festivals and events.

On December 2018 Juneyt was chosen to be The House Musician for CBC Sounds of Season Gala. He has built an impressive career as a professional musician playing both locally and internationally. Achievements:

Juneyt has been nominated in 5 categories 3 years in a row for Toronto Independent Music Awards (2015, 2016 & 2017), in 2017 he won this prestigious award in Best Instrumental & Best Classical Categories. He has been a four-time nominee for Waterloo Region Arts Awards (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and won on 2019).

Juneyt has composed music for 4 television documentaries and won Record Readers Choice Awards in 5 different categories for a total of 29 times 10 years in a row in 2014 thru 2023.

Juneyt also represented Canada in the Mexico International Guitar Festival, Red Gorilla Festival Texas and Richmond International Music Festival. Just recently in 2017 he received Award of Merit for Outstanding Corporate Partner with the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Juneyt was chosen as Hero of the Month by Grand River Living TV Show on Rogers, and has been selected by the Ontario Arts Council to serve on the jury for the Popular Music Grant. He won Echo Magazine’s Best Local Musician Award in 2002, 2003 & 2004. He has been on the judging panel for the Ontario Arts Council, FACTOR, Turkish Culture Olympiads & currently sits on the judging panel for The Shot, an international vocal talent competition.

In 2012 he was chosen by the Mexican Government to perform at the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, representing Canada alongside 13 of the world’s finest guitarists. He has had the honor to open for and work with many well-known musicians such as: Liona Boyd, Alex Cuba (Juno & Grammy winner), John McDermott, Santana & Doobie Brothers.

Juneyt also had the honor of playing guitar for some of Turkey’s most well-known musicians: Guler Duman, Zelal Gokce, Ali Kemal. In 2016 & 2017 he had the pleasure of working with one of the best classical guitarists in the world, 7 time Juno Award Winner & Order of Canada Recipient: Liona Boyd. Community Contribution: Juneyt is a very active member of the community.

He is a Musical Ambassador between Turkish and Canadian Governments, a role that involves performing many times throughout the year for political and cultural events organized by Canadian and Turkish Governments in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and across Canada. He is Musical and Educational Director for the H20 Congo Movement and President of the Chris Lane Foundation for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer. Juneyt also regularly donates his time and talent to worthwhile organizations such as United Way, Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson’s Society, Make a Wish foundation, KidsAbility, numerous cancer organizations, Nutrition for Learning, Deaf and Blind Ontario, Stroke Foundation, Sick Kids Hospital, KidsLink, Kidney Foundation, Terry Fox Run, numerous hospital fundraisers, Sexual Assault Center, Canadian Diabetes Association, Women in Crisis, Argus House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Museum, KW Habilitation, Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support, Focus for Ethnic Women, Tri-Parade, Intercultural Dialogue Institute, H20 Congo, and many more.

*Currently Juneyt is touring as a part of very successful Gipsy Kings Tribute Band Duende Kings (www.Duende.ca)*