Twenty finalists have been announced for the second year of the PEAK Performance Project, a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to up-and-coming musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by Vancouver rock radio station 100.5 The PEAK and provincial organization Music BC to develop British Columbia-based emerging artists.

The 20 finalists are:
• 41st and Home
• Acres of Lions
• Adaline
• Aidan Knight
• Behind Sapphire
• Bodhi Jones
• Christina Maria
• Christopher Arruda
• Debra-Jean
• Delhi 2 Dublin
• Greg Sczebel
• Jess Hill
• Kuba Oms
• Kyprios
• Parlour Steps
• The Racoons
• Said the Whale
• Steph Macpherson
• Vince Vaccaro
• Yes Nice

These artists will receive an intensive one-week training program on the music business, including topics such as live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. They'll also benefit from mentorships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers, and will receive $3,500 each in initial artist development funding. In addition, all of them will receive a showcase spot at The Kelowna 2010 BreakOut West Festival presented by the Western Canadian Music Alliance, Oct. 21-24, 2010.

Of these 20 artists, five will be chosen to record professional demos to be released as part of the project, and the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year. The top five will share $240,500 in cash for career development. The first-place artist receives $100,500; second place receives $75,000; third place, $50,000; fourth place, $10,000; fifth place, $5,000.