In this week's episode of ReFolkUs, we chat with Julie Schryer and Pat O’Gorman, the Founders and Artistic Directors of AlgomaTrad and the recipients of the 2024 Estelle Klein Community Builder Award.

Hear about their incredible work with AlgomaTrad and its journey from a small initiative to a thriving community, built through the sharing, learning, and celebration of music, dance, art, and heritage craft traditions.

They reflect on the importance of belonging and how it strengthens community bonds, and the role that folk music plays in connecting people and preserving traditions. They also discuss their exciting plans for developing their new AlgomaTrad music centre on St. Joseph Island.

Find AlgomaTrad online
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About Julie Schryer and Pat O’Gorman

Julie Schryer grew up in a Franco-Ontarian home that was filled with traditional music and song. She began playing piano in 1972. During her youth she played for hundreds of fiddle players at competitions and events throughout Ontario and Canada, often with her four fiddling brothers. Julie recorded and toured with the Pierre Schryer Band, the Brian Pickell Band and her family band The O’Schraves. Julie is a co-founder and Artistic Co-Director of AlgomaTrad, a rural Northern Ontario organization that builds community through the sharing and celebration of music, dance, art, and heritage craft traditions. Since 2004, AlgomaTrad has produced over 400 programs and events, including community dances, concerts, workshops, festivals, and its annual Family Camp, while hosting over 300 nationally and internationally renowned performers, artists, and mentors. AlgomaTrad is currently developing the year-round, environmentally-sustainable AlgomaTrad Centre on St. Joseph Island.

Pat O’Gorman began playing bagpipes 57 years ago in the Ontario Highland Piping scene and has studied traditional music in Ireland, Brittany and Cape Breton. He has been playing traditional wooden concert (Irish) flute for 42 years and plays Irish Uilleann pipes and whistles as well. Pat has been at the cutting edge of Canadian Trad/Celtic music for 54 years with Na Cabarfeidh, Rare Air, Morgaine Le Fay, The Windbags, The Brian Pickell Band and his family group, The O’Schraves. Pat co-founder and Artistic Co-Director of AlgomaTrad.

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Join us in celebrating the finest in folk music at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this October 2nd-6th, plus don’t miss the Ontario Folk Music Awards, recognizing the best talent in our vibrant community. Register today at folkmusicontario.ca and use promocode REFOLKUS20 for 20% off registration and awards tickets. See you there!

Tune in to the latest episodes of the ReFolkUs Podcast, featuring the latest releases from Folk Music Ontario members as well as some of our special guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1.

Presented by Folk Music Ontario

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