Juno winner has heart for outreach to girls

Amanda Falk

Amanda Falk, recording artist with Family Life Network’s Avante Records and key performer at their BUGirl events, won Contemporary Christian Album of the Year at the annual Juno awards in Halifax Apr. 1.

The 21-year-old acoustic rock singer from Niverville, Man. won for her self-titled debut album, beating out popular bands such as Relient K and Thousand Foot Krutch. With only a few short years of performing behind her, Falk is becoming one of Canada’s finest and most acclaimed Christian artists.

But to the teen girls she has performed up-close concerts for at some 50 Beautiful Unique Girl (BUGirl.com) events (pajama parties with pizza, chocolate fountains, and talks on self-esteem, “I’m just Mandy,” she says. “That’s where my heart is. A Juno doesn’t change that.”

“Before anyone took notice of my music there was a heart beating for this outreach, for girls across the country to feel their true worth.”

As a high schooler, Falk sang in her church worship team and earned an ARCT in piano performance. In 2003, she signed Avante Records’ first artist development deal. Her tour that fall immediately inspired a love for road life and led to more tours the following years with a variety of artists, including Starfield, Jon Buller, and Jill Paquette.

Falk found her purpose in the ancient story of God breathing life into dry bones. “I feel passionate about songwriting because music has the ability to bring people back to life,” she says. “There is something mysterious about how music works. . . . Almost subconsciously it captures our attention . . . and doesn’t let go until it’s made its mark on our hearts.”

—from releases by Angeline Schellenberg and Loretta Slomp