Starbelly Jam Music Festival | Crawford Bay, BC

Amanda Hulland is the Artistic Director of the Starbelly Jam Music Festival in Crawford Bay, BC, a community-rooted, family-focused festival known for its intimate atmosphere and strong sense of connection. Part of Starbelly since 1999, first as a performer and volunteer, she is passionate about curating lineups that feel both exciting and authentic. Drawing on her background in bookkeeping and administration,

Amanda keeps things running smoothly while staying grounded in what matters most: people and connection.

Earth Music Agency | UK

Angie is a Music Agent at Earth Agency (London, UK), working internationally to build, creatively strategise and grow the live careers of a diverse range of artists and musical projects.

Angie is a passionate advocate of honesty and fairness in the workplace, including speaking openly about the challenges of balancing mental health, neurodiversity and physical health within the working environment of the live music industry. She is also committed to greening the Music Industry and is a founding committee member of the charity EarthPercent.

Harrison Festival Society | Harrison Hot Springs, BC

Andy Hillhouse has been Artistic and Executive Director of the Harrison Festival Society since 2014. His background is as a touring musician, and is primarily a guitarist in the Celtic and fiddle worlds, playing with Alberta's The McDades, BC's Collage Trad, and as an accompanist for fiddlers such as Jocelyn Pettit, Pierre Schryer and Mark Sullivan.

He is also a choir director and currently leads two choirs in the Fraser Valley area. Andy has a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Toronto.

Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society | Lunenburg, NS

Amy Russell is the newest volunteer member of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society’s Program Committee (a committee of 4 individuals). she has a lifelong connection to various music communities in Western and Atlantic Canada.

Amy is excited to bring her unique experiences and dedication to help foster the artistic direction of the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society. The Society presents an annual festival in early August, as well as spring, summer, and fall concert series. In August of 2026, the Society will be presenting its 41st Festival. Further, the Society owns and operates the Lunenburg Opera House, a century-old theatre in the center of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg.

City of St. Albert / Arden Theatre | St. Albert, AB

Ben Sures is a Professional Presenting Programmer for The Arden Theatre in St Albert. He is a published children’s author and a respected singer-songwriter who has been touring Canada and beyond since 1994.

He has recorded ten albums of original material; he is the author of The Boy Who Walked Backwards and is currently writing a book about legendary Alberta fiddler Alfie Myhre, which will be published by Orca Book Publishing in 2028.

Cultural Center - Universidad Javeriana | Colombia

Director of the Cultural Management Center at the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá, responsible for the artistic programming offered by the university to its community and the general public through the Javeriana Cultural Agenda. Cultural manager and artistic programmer in international conferences and business rounds for music and performing arts. Curator of national and international artistic open calls and advisor for various projects related to the circulation and international mobility of the performing arts, cultural exchange, and social impact of the performing arts.

Goderich Celtic Roots Festival | Goderich, ON

Cheryl Prashker is Artistic Director of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and College. A classically trained percussionist who studied at McGill University, she spent years in New York City developing a career as an accompanist, touring with artists including Garnet Rogers, Eric Andersen, and Tracy Grammer.

Cheryl is a founding member of RUNA and serves as Board President of Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. Since 2018, she has led the Goderich festival, where

she first attended as an artist.

CCM Live &
Orkney Folk Festival | Scotland

Craig is founder and director of CCM Live, one of Scotland's leading folk-based booking agencies, established in 2010. He represents many of Scotland's best-known artists across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australasia, while also representing international acts touring the UK and Europe. In 2026, CCM Live was appointed producer of Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections.

Craig is festival producer of the award-winning Orkney Folk Festival, renowned for its warm community welcome and rich local folk scene.

Folk On The Rocks & Victory Pool | Yellowknife, NT

Carly McFadden is an Artistic Director and Artist Manager. She has worked with Folk On The Rocks since 2016 and currently serves as the festival’s Artistic Director, leading year-round programming, artist development initiatives, and one of Canada’s longest-running northern music festivals. Her work focuses on creating inclusive and community-driven arts experiences, with a strong emphasis on northern and emerging artists.

Since 2020, Carly has also worked as an Artist Manager with Victory Pool, supporting Canadian artists in touring, export development, and international industry opportunities across Europe and beyond.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival | Vancouver, BC

Corbin Murdoch is the Executive Director of The Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Corbin is an arts leader, cultural programmer and event producer who was born and raised in Vancouver, BC - the unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

He has spent his career in the service of artists and arts organizations across the country, including as the Artistic Director of the Dawson City Music Festival (Yukon), Managing Director of The River Clyde Pageant (PEI), and Managing Producer of Theatre Replacement (BC).

Festival International de Louisiane | USA

Carly Courville is part of the team at Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, Louisiana. This event celebrates cultures of the world through music, food and art. Carly is the Marketing Director and serves on the Programming Committee.

Winnipeg Folk Festival | Winnipeg, MB

Chris has been involved in the live music industry for the last 27 years as a talent buyer and Artistic Director. He has spent the last 22 years as the AD of the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Ontario Festival of Small Halls / Ottawa Bluesfest / CityFolk | Ottawa, ON

Cat Côté is Artistic Director and General Manager of the Ontario Festival of Small Halls and has been part of the artistic programming team at Ottawa Bluesfest since 2006 and CityFolk since 2011, now serving in executive management across all three organizations. From intimate rural halls in eastern Ontario to Ottawa's premier summer festival stages, Cat brings world-class artists to diverse settings and audiences. She is one of the most influential festival programmers in the Ottawa region.

National Folk Festival | Australia

Dr. Chris Stone is co-Artistic Director of Australia's National Folk Festival and Stringmania music camp, developing programs that foster participation, intergenerational music-making, and cultural exchange. A violinist, educator, and founding member of chamber-folk trio The String Contingent, he has toured extensively across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe.

Chris orchestrated the landmark Noongar-language operas Koolbardi wer Wardong and Wundig wer Wilura for West Australian Opera, and holds a PhD from the Australian National University exploring violin improvisation and creative musicianship.

The Freight | USA

Clayton Shelvin is the Executive Director of the renowned The Freight, a 58-year-old music venue, presenting over 250 performances annually, focusing on global roots music. Clayton is a member of the Recording Academy and serves on the Board of Folk Alliance International.

He is a passionate performing arts administrator and music industry professional with over 10 years of experience in driving organizational change in the non-profit sector.

Clayton’s work is rooted in equity, community partnership, and social

justice.

Beyond Borders Creative Consultancy | UK

David has worked within heritage, cultural, arts and learning sector for over 20 years. his current role is Heritage Learning Manager at Lancashire County Council.

He created and developed the Folk in Schools programmes delivered across the UK. Teacher, lecture and consultant he explores the use of heritage, learning and the arts to enhance intangible cultural heritage, aspirations and cultural capital.

Baltimore Fiddle Fair | Ireland

Declan McCarthy has been working in the arts in Ireland and Scotland for over 35 years. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Baltimore Fiddle Fair in west Cork Ireland, as well as being the Artistic Director of Skibbereen Arts Festival, also in west Cork.

For the past 20 years he has also been an integral part of the organizing team at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland. He currently divides his time between Ireland and Rauland in Norway, where is wife is studying for a PHD., and has presented several events there in the recent past.

Trout Forest Music Festival | Ear Falls, ON

Devin Latimer is artistic director of Trout Forest Music Festival in Ear falls, northwest Ontario where he books approximately 30 Canadian acts for the 3-stage annual festival taking place on the second full weekend of August.

He is a faculty member in chemistry at the University of Winnipeg, focusing on green organic chemistry and environmental communications and provides bass and driving duties for Winnipeg music collective Leaf Rapids.

Haliburton County Folk Society | Haliburton, ON

Don Gage serves as Co-Chair of the Haliburton County Folk Society, where he also acts as Ticket Manager, Concert Committee member, and Co-Artistic Director of the locally-focused February Folk Festival. He has held numerous volunteer roles within the Folk Society, including Treasurer. Don is also a Board member at community radio station CanoeFM 100.9, where he works as a sports interviewer and part-time radio host and DJ, reflecting his long-standing commitment to the Haliburton Highlands community.

Overtuned Festival / WFHB Radio | USA

WFHB radio DJ and Folk Music director, Overtuned Festival manager and promoter, music journalist, Vedan Kolod manager. Originally from Siberia, now lives in Indiana.

Live from the Rock Folk Festival | Red Rock, ON

Elly Tose is Artistic Director of the Live From the Rock Folk Festival, in red rock, Ontario. A founding member of the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society, she has served as Administrative Coordinator for more than 20 years, overseeing programming, contracts, and organizational records. Long involved with the festival in multiple volunteer roles, she led alternative events during the pandemic to support its future. After mentoring under Jean-Paul De Roover, she became Acting Artistic Director in 2023 and was officially appointed later that year.

Beyond Borders Creative Consultancy | UK

Francesca Goodhart leads unique heritage education projects in and out of schools and museums. Working with musicians, dancers, artists, and other creatives to explore our intangible heritage, she introduces new ways of accessing old spaces, and breathes life into historical themes and artefacts. By connecting children and young people with artists and cultural venues, Francesca facilitates new ways of working, enriches experiences, and upskills project partners.

She also gets to dress as a Viking sometimes.

The Pews | Merrickville, ON

George Tierney is Artistic Director at The Pews, a 150-year-old former United Church in Merrickville, Ontario, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and intimate 150-seat setting — described by Colin Linden as feeling like playing The Ryman.

A musician, marketer, and passionate advocate for live music along the St. Lawrence, George is also known for his band HappyCrap, his YouTube channel One Guitar, One Hundred Hands, seven years on the Canadian Folk Music Awards board, and founding Upper Canada Folkfest in 2020.

Red Bird | Ottawa, ON

Geoff Cass is the founder and owner of Red Bird, an independent music venue and music school in Ottawa presenting over 200 shows annually, with a focus on folk, roots, Americana, and singer-songwriters. Built around creating an exceptional space for artists and audiences alike, Red Bird's 80-seat listening room has become one of Ottawa's most active intimate live music spaces. Geoff is also a musician with Ottawa folk-rock band Gentlemen of the Woods, and his dual perspective as venue operator and performer shapes Red Bird's approach to programming and artist relationships.

Gooikoorts Festival | Belgium

Hilde Brutin is a Belgian cultural organizer and co-organizer of the Gooikoorts Festival, where she has played a key role for the past four years.

Hilde contributes to shaping a welcoming, multi-dimensional festival experience that extends beyond concerts. Gooikoorts brings together folk dance, an instrument makers’ market, family-friendly programming, and a vibrant food and drink scene. With camping set in the greenery of Gooik, she helps create a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere rooted in tradition, creativity, and shared celebration.

Musika Bulegoa | Spain

Iñaki Eguitegui is the coordinator of the projects and services department at Musika Bulegoa, a strategic collaboration initiative supporting and promoting musical activity in the Basque Country. Musika Bulegoa works across six areas, including international promotion, carried out under the BASQUE.MUSIC. brand in partnership with the Basque Government and the Etxepare Basque Institute.

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At the Folk Canada Conference, Iñaki is working to promote Basque artists and facilitate connections between Basque musicians and key players in the Canadian music industry.

Sedate Bookings | Netherlands

Jair Hoogland is the founder and agent of Sedate Bookings, a Netherlands-based independent booking agency and promoter specializing in touring, events, and artist representation. Focused primarily on roots, Americana, and alternative rock, Sedate Bookings brings compelling acts to European stages, organizing tours for artists across the continent.

With a passion for connecting musicians with new audiences, Jair has built Sedate Bookings into a trusted home for artists looking to grow their presence in Europe.

Port Fairy Folk Festival | Australia

Justin Rudge is an Australian music professional with 25 years of experience across the industry. Since 2020, he has served as Program Director of the Port Fairy Folk Festival in southwest Victoria. The four day event features 14 stages and more than 100 artists from around the world, drawing daily audiences exceeding 10,000.

Known for his thoughtful programming and global perspective, he curates a dynamic lineup that balances international excellence with strong representation of Australian folk and roots music.

Canmore Folk Festival | Canmore, AB

Jenna Klein-Waller is the Executive and Artistic Director of the Canmore Folk Music Festival, one of Canada's premier roots music gatherings, held annually in the Canadian Rockies.

She leads the festival's strategic and artistic direction, stewarding an organization devoted to connecting communities through music.

Cultivate Festival | Port Hope, ON

Jeff Bray is a community builder, festival producer, and arts leader based in Port Hope, Ontario. As Co-Founder and Executive & Artistic Director of Cultivate Community, he has helped grow Cultivate Festival into one of Northumberland County's signature cultural events over the past decade.

With a background in education, event production, and non-profit leadership, Jeff is passionate about creating welcoming spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds, guided by a belief that culture strengthens communities and fosters belonging.

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Stewart Park Festival | Perth, ON

Jamie Campbell is the Artistic Director of Stewart Park Festival, a beloved community celebration now marking its 35th anniversary, taking place July 17–19. Jamie brings a personal passion to the role, drawing on his own experience as a singer-songwriter to curate an event that truly resonates with artists and audiences alike. His musical background informs his programming instincts, making Stewart Park Festival a cherished fixture in the folk community year after year.

Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival | Owen Sound, ON

James Keelaghan is the Artistic Director of the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario. His artistic vision for the festival is informed by 35 years on the music scene as a Juno award-winning singer-songwriter and the hundreds of folk festivals he has played or attended.

BC Music Festival Collective / Ignite the Arts | Penticton, BC

Julie Fowler is a founding member of the BC Music Festival Collective and became the Executive Director in January 2024. She has helped to start three festivals: the Art Matters Festival at Concordia University (2001); the ArtsWells Festival in Wells, BC (2004-2020); and a festival in Penticton called Ignite the Arts (2022-present).

She has consulted for other festivals including 2 Rivers Remix and is on the board of Folk Canada. In 2025, Julie was an honouree of the Women Behind the Sound Proclamation from the City of Vancouver. Julie is grateful to be living in snpintktn (Penticton) on the unceded ancestral territory of the syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

Northern Lights Festival Boreal & Lost Cat Artists | Sudbury, ON

Kerri Stephens has over 20 years of experience in the Canadian music industry, specializing in programming, artist development, and community outreach. She founded Lost Cat Artists in 2021, managing acts including Leaf Rapids, Supalung, Merrick Winter, Petunia and the Vipers, Hendrika and Kelly McMichael, and leads the Manitoba chapter of Women in Music Canada. She served on the Artistic team at the Winnipeg Folk Festival and spent nearly a decade at the West End Cultural Centre.

In 2025, she became Artistic Director of Northern Lights Festival Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario.

Calgary Folk Music Festival | Calgary, AB

Community radio was Kerry’s entry into the independent music world 38 years ago. She’s artistic and marketing director of the Calgary Folk Music Festival, the winter Block Heater festival and an off-season concert series.

She spent some time on the skins in an all-female lo-fi band decades ago, is on several non-profit arts boards, has served on many arts juries, is a proud part of WRAD (western roots artistic directors) and NApresenters, co-founded Rwanda’s KigaliUp festival,

and produces/hosts weekly CKUA and CJSW radio programs when she’s not traveling to conferences and festivals to see music from a vast range of genres.

Blue Skies Music Festival | Clarendon, ON

Kate Weekes is the Artistic Director of Blue Skies Music Festival and a board member of the Gatineau Hills Fiddle Festival, dedicated to building community through music. A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from the Gatineau Hills of Quebec, Kate has released five albums drawing on her time as a dog musher and wilderness guide, spanning Appalachian ballads, folk-pop anthems, and instrumental waltzes. Her most recent album, Rideau Roots (2025), explores the settler narrative of the Rideau Canal.

Almonte Celtfest | Almonte, ON

Kristina Skeries is the Artistic Director of Almonte Celtfest, a volunteer-run and entry-by-donation Celtic festival in the Ottawa Valley, which just celebrated its 30th year. As a classically trained violinist with a passion for folk and Celtic music, Kristina spends time outside of her regular day job teaching music, playing in a variety of bands, and of course, programming a music festival.

TradFest Dublin | Ireland

Kieran Hanrahan is Artistic Director of TradFest Dublin, Director of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, and Director of Scoil Éigse, the summer school of excellence in Irish traditional arts. A lecturer in traditional music at TU Dublin's Conservatoire, he spent over 30 years presenting Irish traditional music on RTÉ Radio, including the iconic Céilí House programme. A founding member of Stockton's Wing and pioneering tenor banjo player, Kieran was inducted into the Folk Radio Hall of Fame at Folk Alliance International in January 2026.

Sonic Unyon / Supercrawl Productions | Hamilton, ON

Lisa La Rocca is Director of Operations at independent record label and events company Sonic Unyon Records in Hamilton. She founded the Fresh Up R&B Fest in 2022 and leads logistics on other Sonic Unyon produced festivals Supercrawl, Because Beer, Why Not Wine, as well as many other events. Lisa is currently chair of Hamilton’s Music Advisory Team, co-chair of Women in Music Hamilton/Halton, and serves as a board member of the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Regional Tourism Organization and the Downtown Hamilton BIA. She is a part-time PhD student in the Communication and Culture program at York University with a focus on Popular Music Studies, and holds an M.A. in Communication and New Media from McMaster University.

Tonder Festival | Denmark

Maria Theessink is the artistic director at Tønder Festival in Denmark. Tønder Festival is one of Europes most respected folk & roots festival.

Founded in 1974, the non-profit festival takes place every year during the last weekend of August in Tønder, Denmark, and has built an international reputation for artistic integrity and musical quality. This year’s confirmed artists include Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, Ron Sexsmith, and The Felice Brothers, among many others. The 2026 festival will take place August 26-29.

SUNFEST | London, ON

Mercedes Caxaj is the Artistic Co-Director for Sunfest-London Committee for Cross Cultural Arts, which presents thoughtful, innovative global arts programming in London, Ontario, and works collectively with national and international organizations.

Mercedes has served as a jury member and panellist for both national and international music meetings, conferences and major granting agencies, where she discusses artistic programming, community program development, cultural advocacy and strategy, and prioritizing representation.

Popular Music & Variety, National Arts Centre | Ottawa, ON

Marilena Gaudio is the Associate Producer of Popular Music & Variety at the National Arts Centre.

In her current role, she oversees the emerging artists programming series as well as manages the Global Network for Women Music Producers: A network created by the NAC to support women and non-binary music producers and help right the gender imbalance in their field.

Mission Folk Music Festival / Cascade PBS | Mission, BC

The current Artistic Director of the Mission Folk Music Festival Society, Michelle is focused on making culture and music events as accessible and sustainable as possible.

She is passionate about sharing the music and stories of people from around the world with audiences in Mission and the Fraser Valley. She hosts house concerts, serves on various award juries, and mentors emerging artists when possible. When not working in Mission, she lives in Seattle with her husband, son, and Jack the dog.

One Finger Group / Nio Far Festival | Senegal

Mouhamed Coly is a Senegalese cultural producer, artist manager, and international project coordinator working between Senegal and France. Founder of One Finger Group and International Coordinator of Nio Far Festival — a cultural and music platform bridging Dakar and Rennes — he builds connections between West African, European, and North American music ecosystems. His work spans artist management, festival coordination, and cultural partnerships, creating sustainable pathways for cross-border collaboration and supporting emerging artists on the international stage.

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AcousticMusicScene.com / Cinema Arts Centre | USA

Michael Kornfeld is an award-winning PR and communications strategist, and editor and publisher of AcousticMusicScene.com, serving the folk, roots, and singer-songwriter communities. A former contributing writer for The New York Times, he is longtime president of the Folk Music Society of Huntington, co-chairs the board of Cinema Arts Centre on Long Island, and is a past board member of Folk Alliance International and former president of NERFA. Mike is a frequent conference mentor, panelist, showcase host, and emcee.

Paquin Artists Agency | Toronto, ON

Matthew Williams is an Agent with Paquin Artists Agency. Originally from England, he has built a career across programming, production, and talent buying, including roles at the Royal Albert Hall, the EFG London Jazz Festival (with Serious Limited), and MRG Live, alongside freelance work in production management. His roster includes Bess Atwell, Chartreuse, Haley Blais, Preston Pablo, Mariel Buckley, Georgia Harmer, Katie Tupper, Braden Lam, 646yf4t and John Muirhead.

Gras Roots at The Fleeced Inn | UK

Nigel Smith works with Tash Daly programming the Gras Roots music series at the Fleece Inn. These intimate gigs in a medieval barn are renowned with UK and International artists.

Ignite the Arts Festival | Penticton, BC

Paul Crawford is Co-Producer and Founder of the Ignite the Arts Festival in Penticton, British Columbia, an annual celebration uniting artists from across Canada. From 2003 to 2020, he co-produced ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art, widely recognized for its creativity and community spirit.

He has contributed to the BC Music Festival Collective and served in leadership roles with the Dream Café and other festivals. As former Associate Publisher and Editor of BC Musician Magazine, he has championed artists and community driven cultural development.

Toronto Folk Festival | Toronto, ON

Phillip Vonesh is co-founder of the Toronto Folk Festival and a dedicated volunteer at Mariposa Folk Festival for nearly 20 years. As a recording and performing artist with three studio releases, he has promoted shows in Toronto since 2010 and performed as Phillip Vonesh & The Spare Parts since 2017. He has showcased at Folk Alliance International and NXNE, and was a semi-finalist in the 2024 International Songwriting Competition.

Gooikoorts Festival | Belgium

Rik Couchez is a Belgian presenter and programmer behind the Gooikoorts Festival in Gooik. With more than 20 years of experience organizing Celtic music concerts, he has built a reputation for thoughtful curation and community connection. He previously led two festivals over 17 years and continues to present concerts year round.

Each summer, he helps transform Gooikoorts into a vibrant international folk gathering, welcoming artists and audiences for a weekend rooted in tradition, exchange, and celebration across Belgium and beyond.

Kings Place Music Foundation | UK

Rachel Naylor is Folk Programmer and Community Producer at Kings Place, a leading arts venue in central London hosting over 400 events annually. She leads folk programming and community engagement, shaping inclusive, artist-led work connecting audiences with diverse traditions. Originally from Glasgow, Rachel developed a deep passion for folk music through Scotland's vibrant Celtic scene, which continues to inform her curatorial vision. In 2027, Kings Place's flagship Unwrapped series will feature a Canadian strand, and Rachel is here to discover artists for that programme.

Peterborough Folk Fest  | Peterborough, ON

Ryan has been the Artistic Director of the Peterborough Folk Fest since 2015 and has been involved with the festival since 2013. Since 2005, Ryan has booked and managed venues in Peterborough and has promoted over 2000+. The Peterborough Folk Festival is Canada’s longest-running free admission folk festival!

Mariposa Folk Festival &
Noisemaker Presents | Orillia, ON

For over two decades, Spencer Shewen has been bringing great music and unforgettable live experiences to audiences across Canada. As Artistic Director of the Mariposa Folk Festival and Programming Manager at Noisemaker Presents, he has a reputation for building lineups that blend legendary artists with exciting new voices.

Previously, he held leadership roles with Riverfest Elora, Hillside Festival, Guelph Jazz Fest, and others. His work is driven by a love of authentic music and the power of live performance.

Calgary Folk Club | Calgary, AB

Suze has served as Artistic Director of the Calgary Folk Club since 1986 and founded the community movement ElbowsLinked.ca. As International Folk Alliance Showcase Coordinator from 1994 to 2007, she helped shape the folk landscape across North America.

A champion of music that makes a difference, she received the CFMA Spirit of Folk Award in 2024. A successful entrepreneur and best-selling Hay House author, Suze is a passionate connector and dedicated mentor to musicians, agents, and promoters.

Hillside Festival & University of Guelph | Guelph, ON

Samir (Sam) has been programming the Hillside Festival since 1998 - he also books entertainment/events for the University of Guelph where he has worked for over 30 years. Sam's favourite pastime is attending concerts and he has a cat named Usha. 

Club Social San Miguel - Música y Arte | Mexico

Producer Sheree Boyer has worked with the arts community in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for 30+ years. She has indulged her passion for diverse music from around the globe at the Calgary Folk Music Festival as a board member, publicist, and donor. A San Miguel de Allende resident for the last 7 years, she is creating a music lovers hub in San Miguel for international and national touring musicians. If you want to add another location to your tour, contact her to produce and promote your concert.

LieLow Music Fest | Milo, AB

Sommer Dahlseide is a festival director, programmer, and arts leader dedicated to creating dynamic live music experiences and building strong creative communities. She is the Artistic Director of LieLow Music Fest and Artistic Associate with the Canmore Folk Music Festival. She also serves on the boards of Music Calgary and The Blox Arts Centre.

With a background spanning festival programming, artist relations, marketing, sponsorship, and community engagement, Sommer is known for connecting artists, audiences, and communities through thoughtful programming, strategic partnerships, and a deep commitment to Alberta's arts and culture sector.

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Iceland Music | Iceland

Founding member of the Sugarcubes and record label Smekkleysa (Bad Taste RVK), Sigtryggur has worked as an artist for many years and has, since 2012, run the Iceland Music Export office, which merged with the new Iceland Music office in 2023. He now works as an educator, writer and advisor and does special projects for Iceland Music. He is still making and releasing music.

Steve Rogers Folk Festival | Canso, NS

Steve MacIntyre is a singer-songwriter, event producer, and artistic director of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival held annually in Canso, NS. He lives in Cape Breton.

Sonic Unyon Records | Hamilton, ON

Tim Potocic is the owner and president of Sonic Unyon Records based in Hamilton, Ontario, that specialize in developing emerging talent through label and management. The Sonic Unyon team has also spent the 2 decades developing a live event business through their own music-based event spaces and festivals. In 2009, Sonic Unyon became the organizing force behind Hamilton's free music and arts festival Supercrawl where Potocic serves as director. A CIMA member for over 20 years and current board Chair, he currently sits on the boards of FACTOR, and his work has been recognized with a Hamilton Citizen of the Year award and a Hamilton Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Springtide Music Festival | Uxbridge, ON

Tania Joy is the Co-Founder, Executive Director, and Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival, a non-profit multi-venue festival drawing over 60 acts to downtown Uxbridge, Ontario, championing local talent while connecting Canadian artists to new audiences. An award-winning Folk-Roots artist herself, Tania is also a member of SOCAN, Folk Canada, Music Ontario, the OMAs, and CARAS/The Juno Awards, and co-chairs the Uxbridge Tourism Advisory Committee. 

Sidmouth Folk Festival | UK

Tash is Artistic Director of Sidmouth Folk Festival, a nine-day celebration of traditional music, song, and dance held each August in Devon. Established in 1955 and now in its 72nd edition (July 31–August 7, 2026), Sidmouth balances heritage with innovation, championing grassroots tradition while platforming diverse emerging voices. Alongside Sidmouth, Tash programmes folk concerts at a historic National Trust venue, freelances with Alan Bearman Music, and contributes to events including Warwick Folk Festival, spanning traditional, contemporary, and cross-genre folk.

Fish Creek Concerts | Calgary, AB

Vic Close is a Calgary-based presenter, agent, and lifelong folk music enthusiast who’s been happily down the rabbit hole of roots music for over 40 years. As Artistic Director of Fish Creek Concerts, he’s built a beloved series known for intimate, “listening room” shows where great songs and great audiences meet—featuring artists from across Canada and beyond. Vic has worn just about every hat in the business—presenter, agent, marketer, and occasional road warrior—building lasting relationships across the country’s folk and roots community. He recently wrapped up his term with the Canadian Folk Music Awards, going out with a bang as local host for the 2026 awards in Calgary. At heart, Vic is all about connection—bringing artists and audiences together, championing Canadian talent, and making sure the music (and the stories) keep rolling.