Oji-Cree artist Matthew Monias, who goes by MattMac, recently performed at Directions 2021 powered by RBC Future Launch.

Directions is an annual business and applied arts conference showcasing Red River College Polytech students and local industry practitioners. Students spent the day in Breakout Sessions, in the Networking Lounge, and at the various Roundtables.

Hailing from Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba, Mattmac has been blind from birth. He grew up surrounded by music both on the radio and singing in his community’s gospel choir. Mattmac began to struggle with depression at a young age and credits music for helping him cope. A fully self-taught artist, he first began to make beats and write songs when he was 13-years-old, and later taught himself how to play piano and guitar. He also has impressive skills with beat production software and equipment, and attributes his creative competencies to the support of the Blind & Famous group, a USA based collective of blind music artists who collaborate and connect with one another through the internet. Mattmac hopes to continue to use his platform to inspire others to know that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.

Watch his performance here: