In 1998, a staging of Gone With the Wind took place in Peterborough. Local record producer Damon de Szegheo was in attendance when, during a set change, a voice—like a ray of light piercing through a cloud—burst out. Mime Radio’s de Szegheo didn’t “discover” Serena Ryder; the young singer’s talent struck him like a thunderbolt.
Ryder, who grew up in Millbrook and graduated from Peterborough Collegiate’s Integrated Arts Program, first gained national acclaim with her ballad Weak in the Knees in 2007. The following year, she won the first of her seven Juno Awards, taking home Best New Artist of the Year in April 2008. By July 2010, she was performing at the prestigious Lilith Fair. In February 2011, she toured across Canada with none other than Melissa Etheridge.
Her first single, Stompa, from the 2012 album Harmony, was featured on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. The song’s success propelled her to The Tonight Show, where she performed it live for Jay Leno in the summer of 2013.
In 2014, Ryder performed the Canadian national anthem ahead of the NBA All-Star Game and lent her vocals to In the Morning on the fifth studio album by Canadian rock band The Trews. That same year, she co-hosted the Juno Awards and won Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. In May 2015, she recorded Together We Are One, the official theme song for the 2015 Pan American Games, which she also performed at the closing ceremony.
Ryder headlined the opening night of Peterborough Musicfest in 2016, captivating audiences on the Fred Anderson Stage with her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Now, she returns to kick off Season 38 of Peterborough Musicfest, promising another unforgettable night at Del Crary Park, showcasing the talent and energy that have made her one of Canada’s most celebrated artists. This marks Ryder’s fifth appearance on the Fred Anderson stage and her seventh performance for Peterborough Musicfest.
An ardent advocate for mental wellness, Ryder has shared her own experiences with depression and neurodivergence, speaking to thousands of people across the country each year. Her song What I Wouldn’t Do was reimagined for Kids Help Phone’s Feel Out Loud 2023 campaign—the largest mental health initiative in Canadian history. Additionally, through her non-profit ArtHaus Community, she supports emerging musicians and industry professionals, equipping them with the creative, entrepreneurial, and wellness skills needed to thrive in today’s music and media landscape.
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