Corey Payette is a writer, composer, singer, hand drummer, and director whose work spans music, theatre, and film. A member of the Mattagami First Nation with French Canadian and Irish heritage, he is widely recognized for his powerful, large-scale original musicals that push the boundaries of the form. Payette brings Indigenous stories and perspectives into mainstream artistic spaces, using his work to spark dialogue and inspire meaningful social change.
Across his artistic practice, Payette explores themes of colonization, Indigenous language revitalization, cultural healing, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and the layered realities of Indigenous experiences past and present. His acclaimed musicals — Children of God, Les Filles du Roi, Sedna, and Starwalker — have toured widely across Canada, earned multiple awards, and are available as albums for streaming and purchase.
In addition to his theatre work, Payette has performed his music with symphony orchestras around the world, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and made his Carnegie Hall debut in New York City in 2023. He has received numerous honours for his writing, direction, and compositions, including the inaugural BC Reconciliation Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership, integrity, and commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.
Name:
Corey Payette
Genre:
Pop / Musical Theatre
# of Albums:
4
Latest Album:
The Music from Starwalker
Latest Single:
“Bothered”
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Mariah Carey
Favourite musician now:
Jacob Collier
Guilty pleasure song:
Ain’t Nobody (Live) – Jessie J
Live show ritual:
Circle
Favourite local musician:
Amanda Sum
EP or LP?
LP
Early bird or night owl?
Early Bird
Road or studio?
Studio
Any shows or albums coming up?
I have an upcoming Concert in Vancouver at The Cultch on January 28th, then another show on January 31 at Artspring on Salt Spring Island.
Where can we follow you?
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Axum Restaurant
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Commercial Drive has always been the best-kept secret of Vancouver for me. Vibrant, diverse, and unapologetically queer. It’s one of the few streets where it feels community-centred, all sharing space and creating something uniquely East Van.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
I love Victoria Park, it’s a quiet little sanctuary in the middle of East Van, full of community energy.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
My favourite music venue in the city is The Wise Hall. Very intimate, fun, and the perfect venue for a casual night of unforgettable music in the main hall or a sing-along jam in the basement room.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Definitely Audiopile on Commercial Dr.
