John Welsman

Thirteen-time Gemini Award nominee and five-time Gemini Award winner, John Welsman has over 7 theatrical features, 14 movies for television, 14 television series, and 50 documentaries to his name. Career highlights to date include the hit dramatic series “Road to Avonlea”; documentary series “The Nature of Things” with David Suzuki; and James Cameron and Simcha Jacobici's “The Exodus Decoded” and “The Lost Tomb of Jesus”. He’s also well known for his work with director Ingrid Veninger, most recently for the feature film “Modra” and for his long, successful relationship with Corus Entertainment on such children’s animated series as “Franklin and Friends” and “My Friend Rabbit".

Welsman began his career performing as a singer-songwriter, recording with artists Laura Smith, Available Space, Jane Siberry, and Cherie Camp. Later, he would arrange for internationally renowned recording artists The Canadian Tenors with Sarah McLaughlan (The Perfect Gift); Loreena McKennitt (An Ancient Muse, and The Mask And Mirror); Stephanie Hardy (Brand New Skin); and Allanah Myles (I Believe). He co-wrote with Cherie Camp and recorded the self-titled WEA album Cherie Camp, produced by Gene Martynec. Welsman and Camp recently won the 2009 Genie Award for ‘Achievement in Music – Original Song’ for Oh Love, “Nurse.Fighter.Boy”.

Welsman has also worked in advertising, composing music for the Ontario Tourism campaign from 1996-2002. He was commissioned to compose and arrange music for the short film "Ontario Our Majesty", as a gift to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her 2002 Jubilee visit to Ontario. 

Born in Toronto, Canada, Welsman studied piano and theory at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and attended the Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario. He studied guitar with Hank Monis and voice with Gloria Ferrer. After completing the Gordon Delamont Course with Todd Booth, he continued studies in orchestration and composition with Dr. Samuel Dolin and Milan Kymlicka.

Welsman resides in Toronto and is constantly inspired by music and film.