Refolkus

In this episode, we sit down with Chris White, recipient of the 2026 Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chris takes us through his lifelong journey in folk music, from growing up in a musical family and discovering the power of community singing to co-founding the Ottawa Folk Festival and helping create opportunities for artists through Home Routes. We talk about his work in radio with Canadian Spaces, the importance of festivals as spaces for connection and participation, and his ongoing work bringing people together through music.

On behalf of Folk Canada, congratulations to Chris White on this well deserved award!

Connect with Chris on Facebook and find his music on Bandcamp.

About Chris White

Based in Ottawa, Chris White was born in Toronto into a musical family with Nova Scotian roots that combine Black, White and Indigenous heritage. As a child, he sang in a sibling vocal quartet and participated in a neighbourhood choir led by his father. His mother played the piano and was a major fan of Canadian folk songs. A songwriter and guitar player, Chris has released three albums of original songs that are sometimes humorous and sometimes touching. He is known for his engaging stage presence and his ability to get audiences to sing along enthusiastically!

He is a member of a musical collective called the Afro-Métis Nation, and also performs with his banjo-playing wife, Mary Gick. Chris's contributions to the folk music community extend to musical event planning and organizing. He revived the Writer's Bloc songwriting group in 1989, and brought Karen Leslie Hall's Song-Along songwriting challenge to the Ottawa area in 1994. He co-founded the Ottawa Folk Festival in 1993 and served as its artistic director for 16 years, placing an ever-increasing emphasis on participatory experiences such as weekend choirs, ukulele-building workshops, dance tents and collaborative murals. Chris has helped to create many other community-oriented festivals and events over the years, including the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, Gil's Hootenanny, Folkbooth, Tree Songs, and a live national video show called Canadian Faces.

Chris is a founding member of the Home Routes national house concert network and has also served on the board of CKCU and OCFF (now Folk Canada). He has designed large-scale musical events for the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Public Services International, as well as smaller-scale singing, songwriting and performance workshops in schools, colleges and camps. Following in his father's footsteps, Chris has created community singing groups for people of all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, newcomers, and people with dementia. 

Since 2013, Chris has been involved in producing and hosting 'Canadian Spaces' on CKCU FM, Canada's longest-running folk/roots radio show. He also helps high school students develop radio and video skills during co-op placements.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode, our guest host, Treasa Levasseur, chats with William Prince, acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter and performer.

William reflects on the making of Further from the Country, the role of community and collaboration in his music, and how trust and surrender have shaped his creative process. They talk about balancing ambition with authenticity, staying rooted while navigating an international career, and how family, love, and legacy continue to shape his life and artistry.

Head over to William Prince’s website for tour dates, mailing list sign up and more and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

About William Prince

William Prince is a JUNO Award-winning artist from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, whose powerful presence and storytelling have made him one of Canada’s most compelling musical voices. His songs speak to love, loss, and connection—carrying stories from where he’s from to audiences around the world. Whether on renowned stages or in intimate settings, Prince creates a profound and lasting connection with listeners.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode, we sit down with Emy Stantcheva, Executive Director of MusicOntario.

Emy shares practical advice on export readiness, developing a clear market strategy, preparing for conferences, and making meaningful industry connections. We also explore effective pitching, creative promotional materials, and the importance of following up and maintaining relationships after events. It's an informative conversation on navigating industry conferences and export missions not to be missed!

Become a member of MusicOntario, sign up for their newsletter and follow them on Instagram. Also be sure to check out Make it Music for more national focused opportunities and follow them on Instagram.

About Emy Stantcheva

Emy Stantcheva is Executive Director of MusicOntario, the provincial Music Industry Association (MIA) dedicated to supporting the music industry in Ontario through outreach programs and opportunity creation. Since joining MusicOntario in 2013, Emy oversees all aspects of its operations and programming, fulfilling the association’s mission to bridge gaps for emerging artists and entrepreneurs through professional development, access to resources, showcasing, and networking. Emy comes from a robust background of event and festival management, music grantwriting, publicity, marketing, media, freelance copywriting, and artist management.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

We’re shaking things up this episode! Our host, Rosalyn Dennett, takes a turn in the guest seat for a candid conversation hosted by Ann MacKeigan.

Rosalyn shares stories from her early musical influences, what makes a great musical collaboration, and the role that community and storytelling have played throughout her career. We also talk about her journey as the Executive Director of Folk Canada and some exciting information about the upcoming Folk Canada Conference taking place in Hamilton, Ontario from October 14-18th, 2026.

Visit Folk Canada to register for the 2026 Folk Canada Conference, become a Folk Canada member and connect with the organization by following them on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

About Rosalyn Dennett

Rosalyn joined Folk Canada as Executive Director in April 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the music industry and non-profit organizations through her roles at the Canadian Federation of Musicians, the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), Music Canada, the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), and MusicOntario. She cut her teeth in the music industry as a musician, performing with artists such as Ken Whiteley, Kaia Kater, Fred Penner, and Oh My Darling. Rosalyn currently sits on the executive board of Folk Alliance International, and has previously served on the board of directors of Folk Music Ontario (2017-2021) and the Travelling Musicians Union AFM Local 1000 (2018-2020).

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode we chat with Tania Joy, the Co-founder and Executive Director/Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival in Uxbridge, Ontario.

Tania shares the story behind building a community-driven music festival from the ground up, and what she’s learned about supporting local artists, developing audiences, and creating meaningful partnerships along the way. We also explore the idea of slow touring, building genuine relationships with artists, and practical advice for anyone looking to start a grassroots festival of their own.

Don’t miss next year’s Springtide Music Festival happening July 10th-12th, 2027. For more information on Springtide, tickets and on their year-round concert series, visit their website and follow them on Instagram.

About Tania Joy

Folk-Roots artist Tania Joy is the Co-founder, Executive Director/Artistic Director of Springtide Music Festival, a non-profit organization led by a volunteer team of business leaders and local musicians which draws over 70 acts to various venues from breweries and bistros to bookstores and clothing shops in historic downtown Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. Springtide recognizes that live music venues in small cities and rural towns serve as a vivacious cultural hub for their communities and is committed to creating a platform to support and celebrate local talent, while fostering performance opportunities that introduce Canadian artists outside of the region to new audiences.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode we chat with Luisa González, a music industry professional and booking agent with a background in film.

Luisa shares practical advice for emerging artists on building an authentic brand, developing a strong visual aesthetic, creating compelling content on a budget, and building a professional online presence. We also explore how to approach networking and follow-ups at industry events and conferences, while balancing authenticity with the expectations of the music industry.

Connect with Luisa through MGAM (Marilyn Gilbert Artists Management) on their website and Instagram.

About Luisa González

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 Daymé Arocena; aligning her passion for audiovisual aesthetics with her dedication to supporting emerging musicians.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode we chat with Kerri Stephens, the Artistic Director of Northern Lights Festival Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario and founder of Lost Cat Artists.

Kerri takes us behind the scenes of programming Northern Lights Festival Boréal, sharing how she curates a cohesive lineup and considers everything from an artist’s fit with the festival’s mandate to the overall audience experience. She also shares practical advice for artists on pitching to festivals, preparing for industry meetings, following up after showcases, and building genuine relationships with bookers.

For more information on Northern Lights Festival Boréal, visit their website and follow them on Instagram. You can also connect with Kerri on the management side through her company Lost Cat Artists via her website.

About Kerri Stephens

Kerri Stephens is the Artistic Director of Northern Lights Festival Boréal and Founder of Lost Cat Artists, an artist management and development company based in Winnipeg, Canada. With more than 20 years of experience in the music industry, she has worked across artist management, festival programming, marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, and event production.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode we chat with Fiona Black, the Artistic Director of Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

Fiona shares insights into booking international artists, creating meaningful collaborations and workshops, and what makes the Vancouver Folk Music Festival such a unique experience for artists and audiences. We also explore how festivals have evolved post-pandemic and the role of community in creating memorable live music experiences.

The 2026 Vancouver Folk Music Festival has already passed but stay up to date with what’s coming next year by visiting their website and following VFMF on Instagram and Facebook.

About Fiona Black

Fiona Black is the founding Director of Programming for the BlueShore Theatre at Capilano University. For the past 29 years, she has produced and programmed the Cap Jazz Series and Cap Global Roots Series plus "North Shore Jazz", a satellite series presented on Vancouver’s North Shore in partnership with the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.  In addition, she is the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.   Considered a very active member of the global and jazz music industry, Fiona travels extensively to international music gatherings and festivals and is fully committed to discovering and nurturing fine artists from around the globe.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Des Islets, founder of Noisemaker Management and Noisemaker Presents, a Canadian artist management and event promotion company.

Tim shares insights into the world of artist management, the evolving artist-manager relationship, and what it takes to promote shows and festivals in today’s live music landscape. We also explore how community, strategy, and strong industry relationships play a role in building sustainable careers for artists.

Check out Noisemaker and follow Noisemaker Management on Instagram and Facebook and Noisemaker Presents on Instagram and Facebook.

About Tim Des Islets

Tim Des Islets is the founder of Canadian artist management company Noisemaker Management and event promotion company Noisemaker Presents. Noisemaker manages an award-winning roster of artists that includes Great Lake Swimmers, The East Pointers, The Once, Splash’N Boots, Two Hours Traffic, Gizmo, and Gord Sinclair from The Tragically Hip. Tim Des Islets is the founder of Canadian event promotion company Noisemaker Presents. Noisemaker produces 80+ events in clubs, theatres, and festivals in Ontario each year.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Ann MacKeigan, a media consultant and performance coach with over three decades of experience at CBC.

Ann shares insights on how artists can frame and deliver their stories with confidence, including practical strategies for preparing for interviews, finding the human connection in every story, handling unexpected questions with honesty, and creating memorable moments that resonate with audiences. We also explore how thoughtful storytelling can strengthen your presence across traditional media and social media.

If you’re interested in working with Ann, head over to CompassMedia to book a meeting.

About Ann MacKeigan

Ann MacKeigan is a media consultant and performance and leadership coach based in Toronto. She is the founder of CompassMedia. For more than three decades, Ann worked with the CBC, leading creative teams, developing national programs, and training on-air talent across news, arts, and entertainment. She created the ground-breaking program Global Village. Before launching CompassMedia,  she was the Executive Producer for the flagship national arts programs: Q with Tom Power, and Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Through CompassMedia, Ann now helps broadcasters, performing artists and leaders speak with confidence, clarity, and connection—on mic, on stage, and in the moments that matter.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn