OTTAWA: “The FMO Board of Directors is thrilled to announce Rosalyn Dennett as the new Executive Director of Folk Music Ontario,” says Amie Therrien, Board President. “After a national call for applications, Rosalyn’s passion and bold vision for the organization stood out. We have no doubt that FMO will continue to thrive under her leadership. We look forward to where we go from here together!”
Rosalyn brings 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, and MusicOntario. She is well known in the 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) as Vice President, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and chair of the Revenue Generation Committee.
“It is a huge honour to serve our members and the greater Folk community. I look forward to working with our partners in the industry as we help our sector recover and get back to work making, performing, presenting, and promoting the music we love. As we plan our return to an in-person conference, we look forward to the opportunity to gather safely and celebrate everything the folk community has to offer.”
– Rosalyn Dennett, Executive Director, Folk Music Ontario
About Rosalyn Dennett:
Rosalyn has over 10 years of experience in program and community development in not-for-profit arts organizations, contributing to the growth of nationally renowned music organizations such as the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), MusicOntario, Music Canada, the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), and the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM). She co-founded the music company Stump Media in 2016, and The Arts Hub & Smiths Falls Music in 2020 and has led those businesses through sustainable growth. Her 20+ years as an independent artist lends vital insights into the grassroots of the music industry.
Rosalyn’s first interactions with Folk Music Ontario were as an official and private showcasing artist. The relationship has deepened through the growth of her career, allowing her to participate in the conference as a presenter, panelist, partner, and board member. And since December 2021, Rosalyn has stewarded FMO through its leadership transition as Interim Executive Director. In each of these roles she has applied her professional philosophy of emphasizing collaboration and community-building to achieve impressive results.
Rosalyn can be reached by email at director at folkmusicontario.ca
About Folk Music Ontario:
Folk Music Ontario supports the growth and development of the folk community and industry including festivals, artists, presenters, Folk DJs, house concerts, managers, agents, and other industry professionals. Over the past 30 years, FMO has provided professional development, networking, and showcase opportunities – largely through its annual conference.
The 2022 FMO Conference will take place Thursday, October 13 through Sunday, October 16, 2022 in London, Ontario. Dates for Early Bird Registration, Award Applications, and Official Showcase Applications will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest information, please visit the Folk Music Ontario website, or subscribe to the FMO E-newsletter.
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Media Contact:
Joel Elliott
Marketing Manager, Folk Music Ontario
office at folkmusicontario.ca
