Heather Gibson is the Executive Producer of Popular Music at Canada's National Arts Centre. With a team of producers, they present over 250 shows each year in four venues ranging from 150-2000 capacity. Heather is a feminist and a proud member, and advocate for, the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Hillary is one third of the trio, The Pairs. This Internationally touring band of celebrated songwriters greet every stage with a genuine, quirky presence and unbottled chemistry. Their sibling harmonies and familial banter quickly connects them to their audience. Whether The Pairs are playing an intimate house concert or a sold out show at a Performing Arts Centre, these classically trained vocalists make it their mission to employ three-part harmony and honest storytelling as the mighty tools that soften and connect us. The Pairs will release their fourth studio album in Fall 2025. This record aims to encapsulate the authentic, minimalistic, and acoustic style performances the trio has become known for.

Holly is the Program & Development Lead at SOCAN Foundation, where she has overseen grants, awards, and programs since 2019. She has been instrumental in shaping initiatives such as the TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship, Equity X Production Mentorship Program, the Amazon Music Indigenous Song Camp, and the CBC Music Indigenous Music Residency, among others. With a background as a professional grant writer and arts administrator, Holly has supported a diverse range of Canadian talent and organizations. Her passion lies in building opportunities that empower music creators and help foster sustainable careers in the arts.

With soaring vocals and lyrics that wash over the heart and mind, Anishinaabe folk soul artist Ila Barker takes listeners on an introspective journey. With the grit of Brandi Carlile, the poetic storytelling of Jewel, and the charm of Gabrielle Aplin, Ila braids an eclectic sound that feels familiar and yet like nothing you’ve heard before.

Jacynthe Plamondon-Émond is a manager (Geneviève Racette, Rosier), label (Willows) and music industry expert with over 20 years of experience. She is also working as a consultant with independent artists. Specializing in digital distribution and music discoverability since 2007, she founded InTempo Musique in 2016 and later launched Distribution Amplitude, a Canadian non-profit distributor, in 2020. Beyond entrepreneurship, she is a sought-after trainer and speaker, having worked with ADISQ, APEM, SPACQ-AE, and the Conseil québécois de la musique.

Jahn has worked at the Shenkman Arts Centre since 2012. Previously, he worked in production for theatres and festivals in Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary. Jahn is a graduate of the Production Program at the National Theatre School of Canada and the Cultural Planning Program at the University of British Columbia. Jahn is also a member of the Board of Ontario Presents.

Being a part of the Danish music industry as artist, organiser and now as Head of Production and International Projects at Tempi · Roots Music Denmark I constantly connected to different people who are looking for folk and roots music. This I'm looking forward to bring to Folk Music Ontario again this year to help artists connect with European stakeholders and create bonds across the atlantic.

Jason Williams is the Artistic Director/producer of Wild Mountain music festival. He has been there since the inception of the festival. Wild Mountain is a three day camping festival in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains just about on the border of Jasper National park. It's always the third weekend in July and hire roughly about 21 artists each year.

Jaymie (she/any) is the in-house graphic designer and Program Assistant at Folk Canada as well as the new co-owner and manager of Old School Bluegrass Camp. They were previously based in Toronto, steeped in its bluegrass and old time music scene. She is now living in the Ottawa Valley and is building a new music community there. While not being a musician themselves, they have always been committed to promoting and supporting live music as well as musicians' livelihood. 

Her current clientele and work focus heavily on album artwork, merch design, and branding design for music industry projects.

Jeff co-leads the award-winning Cultivate Festival — a celebration of music, food, art and family that invites everyone to share in feel-good experiences. His festival ethos is rooted in joy, connection, and hospitality, and he brings a fresh lens on how access can shape welcoming environments across outdoor and multi-disciplinary events.

Jenna Klein-Waller is the Executive and Artistic Director of the Canmore Folk Festival in Alberta, Canada. With over 15 years of experience supporting artists and creative communities, she curates diverse and engaging lineups while championing emerging talent and artist development. Passionate about the power of music and storytelling, Jenna plays a key role in shaping the festival’s artistic vision and continues to foster a welcoming, inclusive space for audiences and performers alike.

Jerod Rivers first found his place in Kansas City’s music scene back in 2005 and has been immersed in it ever since—as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, sound engineer, and advocate for artists. He believes in music’s power to create community, something he carries into his work as Conference and Operations Director at Folk Alliance International. There, he helps foster a global gathering where artists and industry professionals connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Jim Bryson is a National Folk Award nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter and Record Maker.
He has released a number of recordings in all kinds of popular formats and in places all over the map. His most recent project is “Combinations 1+1”, a “rotating cast singles project” which debuted with Jason Tait and John K Samson this last September of 2024.
Aside from singing and strumming his own golden hits, Jim produces records out of his Fixed Hinge Studio Recordings shed. His production work has been acknowledged by The Juno Awards, The Canadian Folk Music Awards and The Americana Music Awards.
In Jim’s former lives, he traveled extensively as a side player for artists such as Kathleen Edwards, The Weakerthans and The Tragically Hip.

Jim lives with his partner and children in his old family homestead in the once quaint Stittsville, Ontario.

Jon is the founder and Executive Director of Les Scènes de Musique Alternatives du Québec (Les SMAQ), the association representing independent music venues across the province. He also founded Indie Montréal, a company that provides promotional and administrative services for the cultural sector. As an independent promoter, he has presented over 2,000 shows featuring both emerging and established artists. In 2018, Jon co-founded franconnexion.info, Canada’s French-language music trade press and professional development company for Quebec and Canadian francophone music industry professionals. He serves on the boards of Compétence Culture, the CDCE, Quedec's English Language Arts Network and the Canadian Live Music Association, where he also serves as vice-chair.

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 new 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 and the Dream Café. In 2020 Julie was honoured with two prestigious awards for her work in the arts, the BC Achievement Foundation Community Award and the BC Museums Association Distinguished Service Award, and in 2025 was an honouree of the Women Behind the Sound Proclamation from the City of Vancouver.

Justin Gunderson is an award-winning radio host, hip-hop artist, and the Co-founder and Music Director of Cranium Arts Project in Ottawa, Ontario. Also known as J Morris, he brings over two decades of experience as an artist, radio personality, and event promoter. With a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong industry infrastructure, he continues to support and spotlight emerging talent through Cranium Festival helping artists make a meaningful and lasting impact in the music industry and their communities.

Kai Hoffman is the Festival Director of Broadstairs Folk Week, one of the UK’s longest-running folk festivals. She led its 60th anniversary in 2025, curating over 400 events across 20+ venues featuring artists such as Lindisfarne, Martin & Eliza Carthy, and Eddi Reader, alongside international acts and community-led programmes. A versatile cultural leader, Kai was the founder/director of Herne Bay Jazz & Swing Festival and founder of Broadreach Records. As a celebrated jazz vocalist and producer, she has performed and programmed internationally, with over 80 headline appearances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, as well as shows at the Royal Albert Hall, London Jazz Festival, and European Jazz Expo. Her acclaimed club night, Live & Let Jive, was a Time Out Critics’ Choice and hailed by The Stage as “London’s coolest hepcat hangout.” Kai brings a global outlook to her work, fostering cultural exchange through inclusive, innovative programming.

Kaylee Wesley Pearson is the founder of Happy Duck Management, a company representing diverse talents, including AySay, Bjonko, and Mambe. With over a decade of experience in the music industry, she has worked in various roles, from tour management to artist development, cultivating a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities artists face today. In 2024, Kaylee was honored with the Danish Music Award Industry Award, a testament to her dedication and impact on the music scene. Her approach emphasizes long-term artist development, creative authenticity, and building meaningful collaborations that help artists thrive both creatively and commercially. Kaylee has a strong presence at key industry events like WOMEX, ESNS, and Reeperbahn and has contributed to mentorship programs like EMMA (European Music Manager Alliance). Her commitment to supporting emerging talents and fostering diversity in music is reflected in every project she takes on. Through Happy Duck, Kaylee continues to play a vital role in amplifying unique voices, strengthening connections across borders, and building sustainable careers for the artists she represents.

Juno Award-winning, 4 time Juno nominated singer-songwriter Kellylee Evans is a high-octane, chameleon-like performer whose improvisational vocal style embodies pop, soul, jazz. She has toured throughout the world, opening up for artists as varied as John Legend, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson and Erykah Badu captivating audiences along the way. She has been signed to Universal Music and today releases music on her own label, Enliven Media.

Her 2024 EP, Show Love, offers a fresh and innovative approach that establishes new sonic terrain built on the foundation of familiar sounds and styles from her six previous studio projects.

Her full length album, Winter Song, dedicated to the sounds of the holiday season, was nominated for a 2025 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.

Ken Simms, manager for some of Canada’s top roots talent (Blue Moon Marquee, Sandra Bouza, Brandon Isaak) offers label services to artists and industry. After a 35-year advertising career, with 20 of those in digital media marketing, he is now laser focused on release planning and execution, social media, and digital marketing.

Kerri Stephens has over 18 years of experience in the Canadian music industry, spanning programming, artist development, export development and community building. After nearly a decade at Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre, she founded Lost Cat Artists in 2020, representing a roster that includes The Secret Beach (2025 Juno nominee), Leaf Rapids (2025 WCMA nominee), Supalung (UK), Petunia & The Vipers, JP Hoe, and Gabi Ocejo. She also leads the Manitoba chapter of Women in Music Canada and spent the last three years working with the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s artistic team. A former touring artist herself, Kerri continues to mentor musicians, support grant writing, and build international initiatives with Enki Music (UK).

Kerry is the artistic and marketing director of the 46 year ‘post-folk’ Calgary Folk Music Festival, Block Heater and an off-season concert series. She’s on several non-profit arts boards, has served on many arts juries, is part of WRAD, 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.

I was the booking agent and General Manager from 2021-2025 and now work with Ignite the Arts Festival, The Hub and Martin, Fog City Cafe booking artists at the Dream Cafe

Kim Fry lives on Attawandaron, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinabe territory (Guelph), subject to the Dish with One Spoon Treaty. She has worked on climate and environmental issues for over 30 years as an activist, educator, and naturalist. Kim holds two Environmental Studies degrees from York University and is a recipient of the national David Suzuki teaching award and an ETFO environmental leadership award. She co-founded the Canadian chapter of Music Declares Emergency, connecting her passions for music, climate, and education. The organization supports the Canadian music industry in addressing the climate crisis. Kim has also worked as a music manager and organized the first Canadian Music Climate Summit. She is now a key voice in Canada on sustainable practices in the music industry.

King Kimbit is a performance artist based on unceded Algonquin territory (Ottawa), passionate about empowering youth, community care, and sharing love through writing, reciting, and the abolition of punitive, carceral institutions.
King has shared her work across Turtle Island, Jamaica, and Vietnam. In 2017 King released her debut album Life Lessons Poetically, and in 2018 she joined Jo-Anne Bryan, Carmelle Cachero, and Jordan Samonas, as a writer and the vocalist for their group, Speaking Vibrations. In the same year, King co-founded Cap City Cyphers with 4theworld and Kevin Bourne of Shifter. Her newest release Fk12frfr Pt. II is streamable everywhere. King is now working on an arts education program called WritersBlock.
 

Laia Canals is the director of Tempi - Roots Music Denmark, the national organization that promotes Danish Roots Music genres in Denmark and abroad. Known as a capacity builder with expertise in cultivating networks, music export and visionary leadership, Laia's work spans across the globe. With internationalization as her core and diversity as her motto, she leads projects from Nordic partnerships such as the showcase conference Nordic Folk Alliance, to other international markets such as North America and Asia. She leads connections and enriches the Roots community around the globe, through her involvement in several Boards of Directors, including Folk Alliance USA, The Nordic Folk Council, Nordic Folk Alliance, and Another Life Community.

Liana White is the Executive Director of the Canadian National Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/CFM) and has served the interests of professional musicians and the labour movement for almost 30-years. Ms. White is an expert on the United States artist visa process and is also a very active advocate for artists in the way of lobbying, negotiating, and mentoring musicians in all aspects of their career. In addition to her role at the union, Ms. White is a founding Board Member, and the Chair, of Women in Music Canada.

Lisa Iwanycki is an award-winning composer and sound healer from Montreal. She formed the feminist pop punk band Creature (Universal Music) and Blood and Glass (Simone Records). She composes music for TV and co-writes songs with notorious artists. Her solo work blends chamber pop with a deep commitment to creating spaces for healing.  Her EP, 'Imaginary Friend,' won her Best Emerging Artist at SuperFolk Sessions and 1st prize at NYC's SilverSound Showdown. She has toured with Patrick Watson, The Barr Brothers, and Little Scream. Lisa is a core member of Chorus of Courage: Music for Survivors of Trauma. She is active in creating installations of choirs, sound baths and immersive concerts, uniting listeners into a place of peace; a church of sound.

Lisa La Rocca is the Director of Operations at Sonic Unyon Records, an independent record label and events company based in Hamilton, Ontario. She leads several of the organization’s flagship festivals, including Supercrawl, Because Beer, Why Not Wine, and founded Fresh Up Fest in 2022. Lisa currently serves as chair of Hamilton’s Music Advisory Team and co-chair of the Women in Music Hamilton/Halton chapter.

Laia Canals is the director of Tempi - Roots Music Denmark, the national organization that promotes Danish Roots Music genres in Denmark and abroad. Known as a capacity builder with expertise in cultivating networks, music export and visionary leadership, Laia's work spans across the globe. With internationalization as her core and diversity as her motto, she leads projects from Nordic partnerships such as the showcase conference Nordic Folk Alliance, to other international markets such as North America and Asia. She leads connections and enriches the Roots community around the globe, through her involvement in several Boards of Directors, including Folk Alliance USA, The Nordic Folk Council, Nordic Folk Alliance, and Another Life Community.

Logan Staats is a Juno-nominated Mohawk folk and soul musician hailing from Brantford, Ontario. For Staats, all of life's highs and lows intermingle with the music; the passion, the rage, the love, and most of all the healing. His work has garnered 3 Native American Music Awards and a SOCAN songwriters award, and he was a recording artist with Big Machine Records for 5 years. He recently signed with Ishkode and Universal recordw and is about to release his third album. You can catch him live all across the country this winter as he has a 25-date nation-wide tour co-headlined with Julian Taylor beginning in November.

Hailing from Colombia and inspired by the voice of women in both film and music, Luisa has evolved from a filmmaker into a versatile figure within the entertainment industry. She has taken on multiple roles, including booking agent, tour manager, and music video director. She has also had the privilege of collaborating with the afro-cuban band OKAN, Lula Music and Arts, and MGAM; aligning her passion for audiovisual aesthetics with her dedication to supporting emerging musicians.

An anthropologist with a Master's degree in Communication, he specializes in research, management, and cultural production. He has participated in numerous interdisciplinary and applied research projects. He is the director of the Fluvial music conference, and the coordinator of the Management and Outreach department of the Museological Directorate at the Universidad Austral de Chile, where he also teaches for the Master's program in Tourism. He is a founding partner/director of IMICHILE and director of the Discos Tue Tue label. He has spoken at international congresses, seminars, and conferences, including SXSW (USA), the International Indigenous Music Summit, Sunfest, Global Toronto, Mundial Montreal, Prismatic Arts Festival (Canada), Monkey Week (Spain), and Linecheck (Italy). He also actively participates in numerous forums to promote artistic collaboration and circulation at the Pan-American level, including The Eagle Meet The Condor network. He currently directs the FIC Creative and Tourism Pole project in Los Ríos, Chile.

Marie Boillon (she/her) is the Artistic Coordinator at MIFO (Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans), a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote Francophone culture through a wide range of educational, artistic, and community activities. She also serves on the board of Axé WorldFest as Secretary and Artistic Coordinator, supporting equity-deserving artists from across the globe and providing a platform for those who face barriers to presenting their work. Originally from France, Marie has lived in Madagascar, Angola, and London before settling in Canada. Fluent in French, English, and Portuguese, she brings her international experience to the local arts scene. A musician since childhood, Marie began playing violin at the age of six, studied at a conservatory, and performed as a singer on stage. Over time, she discovered a deep passion for identifying and nurturing artistic talent, which now drives her work in cultural programming and community engagement.

Marilena Gaudio is the Associate Producer of Popular Music & Variety at Canada’s National Arts Centre. In her current role, she oversees the emerging artists programming as well as manages the Global Network for Women Music Producers.

Passionnée par la musique trad, Marjolène Forest a été bercée par ces mélodies depuis son enfance. Au Québec et ailleurs, elle a participé à plusieurs festivals en tant que bénévole, festivalière et organisatrice. En 2016, elle a rejoint l’organisation du festival « Ooh La La Dance! », Depuis 2022, elle agit à titre de directrice artistique du Festival Trad Montréal. Son entregent, son charisme et sa facilité à créer des liens font d’elle un leader naturel dans sa communauté. En tant que directrice artistique, elle sait démontrer que la musique traditionnelle occupe une place très importante dans son cœur. Cette passion qui l’anime depuis toujours l’aide à contribuer au succès du Festival Trad Montréal.

Mary Dillon: I am a year-round volunteer with the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society, serving on the Board of Directors, Program Committee, Grants Committee, and Youth and Education Committee. I am especially proud of our work to present gender-balanced and diverse lineups as well as our public outreach initiatives, particularly those aimed at engaging younger audience members.

Maureen Pollard is a registered social worker with more than 34 years in the field. As a grief and trauma specialist, Maureen’s work often incorporates therapeutic expressive arts activities designed to help people navigate their experience when the worst case scenario comes true.

Maureen first came to understand the healing power of writing and songwriting as part of her own self care strategy. As founder of the Write to Heal program, Maureen has been facilitating therapeutic writing and songwriting workshops at conferences and for organizations across North America for almost 10 years.

In 2025, she released Heart Work: The Transformative Power of Story and Song: a Memoir and Guide, along with a separate workbook that includes 28 guided writing exercises designed to support people who want to write to heal.

Maya Killtron is a one-woman mixtape. Crowned Canada’s Queen of Boogie, she blends vintage funk, glossy R&B, and disco shimmer with classical chops and pop power. Imagine if Mariah Carey, Michael McDonald, and TwoSet Violins walked into a studio, that’s Maya. Genre-defying and joy-forward, her sound is as eclectic and electric as her hometown of Toronto.

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.

Michelle Demers Shaevitz is a seasoned arts administrator and festival director with over three decades of experience in the folk music community. She began her journey with the Mission Folk Music Festival in British Columbia in 1991 as a volunteer and 2017, she was appointed as the festival's Executive and Artistic Director, where she continues to curate diverse and inclusive musical lineups that honour both tradition and innovation.

Mimi O’Bonsawin (Pronounced: MEE-MEE O-BON-SA-WIN) is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter born in Northeastern Ontario. She is  French Canadian & W8banaki (Abénaki), a member of the Odanak First Nation. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi’s music embraces the beauty of the land. The ethereal quality of her music whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics that weave pop sensibilities with acoustic instrumentation. Layers of percussion and unexpected harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.

Mick Janzen is a Winnipeg-based folk musician, touring artist, and digital marketer. As one of three members of The Janzen Boys, he’s grown a dedicated fanbase across Canada and the U.S. through grassroots touring, storytelling, and digital strategies. With a marketing background and a DIY spirit, Mick has sold over 13,000 CDs and built 28,000+ Instagram followers, 17,000+ Facebook followers, and 7,000+ email subscribers—fuelling sold-out shows, viral campaigns, and a sustainable music career.

Mike T. Kerr is a wild guitar player and ambitious songwriter, presenting Country Blues, Jazz, Ragtime, and Folk music in contexts ranging from solo guitar performance to swinging six-piece bands. As a guitarist Mike appears on award-winning albums and has toured with some of Canada's greatest songwriters.

From the dorms of U of T to the outskirts of Moscow, Misha has thrived as an entertainer in every place they’ve lived. After opening Drom Taberna in 2018 with a merry band of misfits and now running close to 100 shows a month, Misha stepped up as Master of Ceremonies for Toronto's most cherished|chaotic live music living room. Their insanely loud speeches are renowned across the city, telling stories of those with roots in many homelands, weaving together in Toronto to create a musical culture all our own. Misha’s devotion to a good fucking time carries the belief that in moments of struggle, we must to celebrate together so we can maintain the energy to carry on.

Nadia Kharyati is a Communications Strategist at the National Arts Centre for Popular Music & Variety. She works in tandem with the marketing department to present over 100 performances per season showcasing Canadian and international artists. Nadia previously worked for Folk Music Ontario (now Folk Canada) and Folk Alliance International. In her former life she also owned and operated a small venue in Ottawa called Raw Sugar Cafe for 8 years. The cafe hosted a variety of events which included live music. The venue was a community hub and became known nationally in the music community as one of the small venues that supports emerging indie artists (and for the delicious butter tarts).

Natalie Bernardin is the Director of Operations at the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, where she champions Ottawa’s vibrant music ecosystem. With over 20 years of experience in programming, booking, and international market development, she is also the owner of Amixie Solutions, representing acclaimed Francophone artists. Passionate about strengthening Francophone voices, Natalie serves as Vice-President of the Alliance nationale de l’industrie musicale and is committed to creating inclusive, sustainable opportunities for artists locally, nationally, and internationally.

Neil is a UK based artist manager and artist development specialist working mainly in the singer/songwriter, Americana, and folk genres.  Through Sounds Just Fine his management clients include John Smith (UK) and Cara Luft, and he also works with a range of US and Canadian clients and organisations on project based artist and market development.  He programs the UK showcase rooms at Folk Alliance, and supports all the UK artists attending this annual North American conference; and also programs a year-round concert series in a 105-capacity arts centre in his hometown of Shrewsbury.

He is currently working with Miranda Mulholland on a National Creation Fund supported multi-artist Canada/UK commission ‘Letters to the Future’, with shows coming in 2026.

Nick is a freelance agent with the award-winning Midnight Mango agency, one the UK's leading folk/roots booking agencies. He has 35 year’s experience of working in live performance across all genres and art form, originally as a Marketing, Comms and Programming Director within venues, but I am now a full-time agent working mainly with folk artists. I currently represent 15 artists from England, Scotland, Ireland and Australia and plan and book tours, one-off gigs and festival appearances mainly in the UK, but also into mainland Europe.

Nicole (Niki) Rochefort is a respected leader in Canada’s performing arts industry and the founder of AIM Booking Agency. This independent agency has been shaping the national touring landscape for over 15 years. Over nearly two decades, Nicole has played a vital role in strengthening Canada’s touring circuits, representing award-winning musicians and performing artists at festivals and performing arts centres across the country. She is a familiar face at showcase and exhibit conferences nationwide, where she champions the work of her artists and helps build bridges between presenters and performers.

Nimkish is a Queer/Indigenous pop artist with 2 albums under her belt, titled “Heartbreak on the Coast” (2019) and “Damage Control” (2021). Nimkish spent many years as one of the Artistic Producers of the music program for the Talking Stick Festival. She is currently the Programming Coordinator at the International Indigenous Music Summit.

Noelle is one of the three members that make up the trio, The Pairs. This Internationally touring band of celebrated songwriters greet every stage with a genuine, quirky presence and unbottled chemistry. Their sibling harmonies and familial banter quickly connects them to their audience. Whether The Pairs are playing an intimate house concert or a sold out show at a Performing Arts Centre, these classically trained vocalists make it their mission to employ three-part harmony and honest storytelling as the mighty tools that soften and connect us. The Pairs will release their fourth studio album in Fall 2025. This record aims to encapsulate the authentic, minimalistic, and acoustic style performances the trio has become known for.

Noora Sagarwala is the Program Manager of Arts Across Canada and Abroad at the Canada Council for the Arts, where she manages granting programs that support the mobility, visibility, and impact of Canadian artists and arts organizations. With over two decades of experience in the cultural sector, she brings a deep understanding of public arts funding, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic program design.

Prior to joining the Council, Noora held roles at the Ontario Arts Council, Emancipation Arts/FreeUp!, MANIFESTO, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts/Soulpepper Theatre Company, and the Canada Dance Festival. Her work has consistently focused on supporting artists, advancing equity, and strengthening systems that serve the arts community.

Noora holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business with a focus on arts and media management. She is passionate about public service, inclusive leadership, and building funding programs that are transparent, responsive, and forward-looking.

Paula Sofía is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter based in Toronto, whose Latin American Pop folk music brings vibrancy and connection to every stage she graces. Known for her playful, inviting presence, Paula creates performances that blend intimate storytelling with interactive charm, transcending language barriers and inviting audiences into a shared, heartfelt experience. Through soulful lyrics, vivid imagery, and quirky touches, she crafts songs that resonate deeply, celebrating both the lively and reflective sides of the human journey.

Music producer at The Farm Music and artist, singer-songwriter at Lunau&Sund.

Toronto born, Phillip Vonesh is an artist, community builder and arts administrator. He has two studio albums released under his own name and one with his band The Spare Parts. Vonesh is passionate about live music, festivals, trees and walking around in the city. He is the co-founder of the Toronto Folk Festival, which is celebrating its second year on August 23rd and 24th of 2025 on Wards Island. Vonesh also works as the booker at the Island Cafe on Wards Island. He is an alumnus of the Folk Canada “Developing Presenters Program” and is very excited to be coming back to the Folk Music Ontario Conference as part of the Export Development Program.