From Mentorship to Meaningful Careers
At the You Do You Foundation, we believe that mentorship is about much more than making music. It’s about empowering emerging artists to build confidence, develop professional skills, establish meaningful industry connections, and create sustainable careers doing what they love.
Our Mentorship Program has helped talented 2SLGBTQIA+ artists overcome financial, social, and systemic barriers to pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach. From international radio airplay and major festival performances to entrepreneurship, television appearances, and community leadership, our graduates are demonstrating that the right support can create lasting change.
Every artist’s journey is different, and that’s exactly what makes our program special. We don’t define success by one career path. We help artists discover their potential and turn their creativity into meaningful professional opportunities.
Six artists. Six different paths.
Brayo Bryans
Brayo Bryans’ journey demonstrates how music mentorship can open doors far beyond the recording studio.
Through the You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program, Brayo recorded and released four original songs, collectively generating over 100,000 music streams. Beyond developing his recording career, Brayo applied the business development, networking, and entrepreneurial skills gained through the program to establish a successful karaoke entertainment business operating throughout Toronto.
He also launched a music and film production company, expanding his career into multiple areas of the creative industries and creating new opportunities for professional growth and income generation.
Brayo’s story has now come full circle. In 2027, he will return to the You Do You Foundation as a mentor, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of emerging artists.
4 original songs100,000+ streams2 creative businesses2027 program mentor
Jaymze
For recording artist Jaymze, who lives with a physical disability, the You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program provided an opportunity to develop his musical talents, build confidence, and expand his professional ambitions.
Following his participation, Jaymze achieved multiple Top 10 chart hits, secured international radio airplay, and accumulated over 60,000 music streams.
More importantly, the confidence, industry knowledge, and professional relationships developed through mentorship inspired him to explore new opportunities in broadcasting. Jaymze went on to create and grow his own radio show and podcast series, establishing a platform to share his passion for music and connect with audiences.
His success illustrates how accessible mentorship can empower artists with disabilities to overcome industry barriers and build careers across multiple creative disciplines.
Multiple Top 10 hitsInternational radio airplay60,000+ streamsRadio show and podcast creator
Dahlia Doll
Drag performer and recording artist Dahlia Doll entered the You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program with ambitions to expand her artistic career through original music.
With mentorship and professional development support, Dahlia released her debut single, which went on to generate over 100,000 streams, establishing an important milestone in her recording career.
Her growing profile also led to a featured appearance on Call Me Mother, the acclaimed drag competition television series on OUTtv, introducing her talents to a wider audience.
Today, Dahlia continues to develop her career in music and drag performance while remaining deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. She actively supports numerous non-profit and charitable organizations, using her visibility and platform to give back to the communities that have supported her.
Dahlia’s journey demonstrates that artistic success and community leadership can go hand in hand.
100,000+ debut single streamsOUTtv television appearanceGrowing music and drag careerCommunity philanthropy
Sydney Sarayeva
Sydney Sarayeva’s story is a powerful example of how access to mentorship and professional opportunity can help transform an artist’s future.
When Sydney entered the You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program, she was experiencing homelessness while pursuing her ambitions as a DJ and electronic music artist. Being a transgender DJ, her path was already met with major obstacles.
Through the program, Sydney gained access to industry mentorship, professional guidance, and connections designed to help emerging artists develop their careers and navigate the music industry.
Within months, Sydney achieved a remarkable professional milestone: performing as a main-stage headlining DJ at Toronto’s Electric Island, one of Canada’s prominent electronic music event series.
Her journey from housing insecurity to a major festival stage highlights the importance of providing meaningful access to professional networks and career-building opportunities for talented artists facing significant socioeconomic barriers.
Sydney’s success reflects our belief that an artist’s circumstances should never determine the limits of their potential.
Overcame significant barriersProfessional industry mentorshipElectric Island main-stage headliner
Lady Nova
Lady Nova began her journey with the You Do You Foundation by releasing her first original music through our Mentorship Program, taking an important step toward establishing herself as a professional recording artist and performer.
With a stronger foundation in music development, artist branding, business skills, and industry networking, Lady Nova expanded her career beyond the recording studio.
She has since built a growing performance career across Canada, appearing at major Pride festivals and events and reaching audiences in communities across the country.
Lady Nova has also diversified her professional interests into the hair and makeup industry, applying the business development and networking skills acquired through mentorship to establish valuable connections and explore additional creative income opportunities.
Her journey illustrates one of the Foundation’s central goals: helping artists build transferable skills that support long-term economic independence, whether their careers remain focused on music or expand into complementary creative industries.
First original music releasesPerformances across CanadaMajor Pride festival appearancesCareer expansion into hair and makeup
Océane Aqua-Black
When drag performer Océane Aqua-Black joined the You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program, she was preparing for a major career opportunity as a contestant on Season 2 of Canada’s Drag Race.
Although an injury forced her to leave the competition earlier than anticipated, Océane continued to pursue her creative ambitions through music.
Her development as a recording artist provided an important pathway to sustaining her career beyond television. Building on the skills, creative direction, and professional experience developed through mentorship, she expanded her musical catalogue and established a distinctive identity as a recording artist.
In a remarkable creative achievement, Océane went on to produce a 32-song album, described as a world-record achievement for the longest album by a drag recording artist.
Her journey demonstrates the importance of career resilience, adaptability, and artistic independence. Rather than allowing an unexpected setback to define her future, Océane used music to create new professional opportunities and continue building her career.
Canada’s Drag Race Season 232-song albumRecording career developmentArtistic resilience and independence
Our Impact by the Numbers
The achievements of our mentorship alumni demonstrate how targeted support can lead to measurable artistic, professional, and community outcomes.
260,000+ music streams
4 original songs
Multiple Top 10 chart hits
National performance opportunities
New creative businesses
Television exposure
32-song album
Mentorship that comes full circle
More Than Music: Building Sustainable Futures
These success stories reflect the broader purpose of the You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program.
While recording music and developing artistic skills are important components of our work, our ultimate goal is to equip participants with the confidence, professional knowledge, industry relationships, and transferable skills needed to pursue sustainable careers.
For some, that means becoming a successful recording artist or performing at major festivals. For others, it means launching a business, developing a broadcasting platform, entering film production, or finding employment in related creative industries.
Our graduates demonstrate that investing in emerging artists can generate meaningful benefits that extend beyond individual artistic achievements, contributing to entrepreneurship, economic participation, increased representation, and stronger communities.
We are particularly proud when former participants return as mentors, advocates, and community leaders, creating a cycle of opportunity that benefits future generations.
At You Do You Foundation, success isn’t simply about helping artists make their first record. It’s about helping them build a future.