Award-winning musician, Joy Lapps, sets the stage for the future of steelpan with the Canadian Steelpan Industry Conference

July 24, 2025
Aryana Singh

In time for World Steelpan Day, Girl in the Yard presents Canada’s inaugural conference that centres the history and future potential of the steelpan.
More than 200 steelpan professionals, educators, elders, community members, and enthusiasts will gather on August 8 and 9 for the Canadian Steelpan Industry Conference (CSIC). The inaugural event, presented by Girl in the Yard, celebrates World Steelpan Day (Aug 11) and will explore current Canadian trends, innovations, and challenges in the steelpan art form.

The steelpan, also known as a pan or steel drum, is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. Crafted in the 1930s from oil drums and inspired by West African drumming, the steelpan is a deep-rooted symbol of colonial resistance and Caribbean cultural identity.

Joy Lapps, of Antiguian-Barbudan descent, was born in Toronto and has over 20 years of experience as a steelpan artist, educator and speaker. Over the years, she has noticed significant disconnects between steelpan practitioners nationwide. Lapps conceived of the conference as a way of ensuring the art form remains a tool for engagement and that its relevance does not fade with the next generation.

“Providing steelpan professionals with essential tools and knowledge to connect with educational institutions and cultural organizations is vital for the longevity of this art form in Canada,” says Lapps. “This conference is just the beginning of efforts to keep the vibrant culture of steelpan alive by fostering a strong network among practitioners and enthusiasts for collaboration and creativity.”

Lapps will also announce a national initiative to map Canada’s steelpan ecosystem at the conference. The mapping project aims to develop a centralized platform where audiences, institutions, and the general public can easily explore and connect with steelpan practitioners online.

Andre Rouse, a steelpan educator and composer, sees this conference as an important step in preserving the culture of steelpan.

“This conference offers an opportunity to foster communication and ongoing dialogue between steelpan artists, educators and enthusiasts. This type of knowledge sharing is essential to keeping the culture alive. I want to see the steelpan community moving forward collectively; traversing different musical landscapes to ensure that this art form thrives and continues to inspire future artists in their pursuit of authentic music expression.”

CSIC will be held over two-days at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus and will have free and ticketed events. Attendees will celebrate the deeply rooted, community-centred musical tradition of steelpan culture through performances, networking, and panel discussions.

Highlights of the conference include:

How practitioners can elevate their businesses by securing funding
The legacy of steelpan in Canada
Preserving steelpan history and culture for future generations

CSIC welcomes everyone to be part of the rhythm, story and the future of steelpan in Canada. For more information and to register for the event, visit Eventbrite and follow @joylappsmusic on Instagram.

The Canadian Steelpan Industry Conference is sponsored by the University of Toronto Scarborough, SoundLife Scarborough, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and Canada Council for the Arts.