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.

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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

In this week's episode of ReFolkUs, we chat with Kaeley Jade.

We dive into her incredible journey from gigging at just 9 years old to becoming a recording and performing artist. She reflects on how attending industry conferences opened her eyes to the business side of music, shaping her path as an independent, DIY artist.

Kaeley also takes us behind the scenes of her work in theatre, including writing the music for the award-winning Two Headed/Half-Hearted musical. As a multidisciplinary artist, Kaeley emphasizes the importance of practicing various art forms and having hobbies outside of music to enhance both your artistic career and creative process, staying refreshed and avoiding burnout.

Find Kaeley Jade online
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About Kaeley Jade

Kaeley Jade is an award-winning Métis and Settler singer/songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (amiskwaciwâskahikan). Blending lush imagery and hooky melodic lines to create her own brand of pop-forward indie folk music, Kaeley has performed at venues and festivals across Canada, including the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, JUNOfest, Folk Music Ontario, the Canmore Folk Music Festival, and Coldsnap. Kaeley moves between ballads and bops with ease, and she brings an electricity to the stage whether she is playing an intimate acoustic set or playing alongside her full five-piece band. Kaeley’s deep involvement within the music, theatre and film ecosystems have presented her many opportunities to weave her disciplines together; in 2022, Kaeley joined forces with award-winning playwright Trevor Schmidt to create the critically acclaimed country-folk musical Two-Headed/Half-Hearted, which premiered at Northern Light Theatre with Kaeley in the role of “Venus”. Her music has received radio play across the globe, has been reviewed by publications worldwide, and has been featured in several film and television productions. Her vibrant debut full-length album, Turpentine, has earned her significant recognition in the Canadian music scene—she is a Canadian Folk Music Award Winner and 3x Nominee, Western Canadian Music Award Nominee, Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award Winner and 3x Nominee, SOCAN Indigenous Songwriter Awards Finalist, and 2023 Henry Armstrong Award Recipient.

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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

In this week's episode of ReFolkUs, we chat with Jorge Requena Ramos, Artistic Director of the West End Cultural Centre (WECC).

Jorge takes us through the rich history and community impact of the WECC as a key venue for music and culture, hosting diverse performances and fostering connections through the arts. Jorge also discusses the WECC’s strong commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression, which is woven into their organizational strategy.

He also dives into his work as a performing artist with his band, The Mariachi Ghost, who summon the ghosts of old Mexico through traditional Mexican song.

Sign up to the WECC newsletter here.

Find West End Cultural Centre online:
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Find The Mariachi Ghost online:

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About Jorge Requena Ramos

Jorge Requena Ramos is a multi-disciplinary artist who grew up in Mexico City and now calls Winnipeg Manitoba his home. He has done extensive work as a film director, playwright and television producer. He became the Artistic director of the WECC in 2019 after spending a decade amongst performers, travelling across Canada, the US and Europe with his band “The Mariachi Ghost”. In his tender at the WECC he has overseen the development and growth of Winterruption a festival that celebrates life in a winter city at -40 below. He has also helped the WECC transition into an Anti-racist, Anti-Oppressive strategic plan that will see their programming and practices reflect the truly diverse fabric of Canada.

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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