ReFolkUs is back with a special pre-conference drop, where we will be releasing four episodes prior to the Folk Music Ontario Conference being held in London, Ontario on October 12th-15th.
Named after Estelle Klein, a long-time advocate of Canadian Folk music and one of the initial founders of the Folk festival scene, the Estelle Klein Award honours the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community. For the first time in 2023, the Estelle Klein Award has been divided into two separate areas of recognition - The Community Builder Award, and The Lifetime Achievement Award.
In this week’s episode, we chat to Treasa Levasseur, this year's recipient of the Estelle Klein Community Builder Award. Treasa’s name is synonymous with community. When she puts her creative heart into a project, around her grows a fellowship of artists, students, and dreamers, inspired by her effusive joy, thoughtful curation, and intentional programming.
In this interview, Treasa dives into the role and impact that music has had on her life from a young age, her very first folk music conference experience, the importance of having integrity and intention in music programming and some wise words about the love, strength and friendship that the folk community holds.
Congratulations to Treasa Levasseur on the Estelle Klein Community Builder Award.
Follow Treasa online:
Social Media @treasalevasseur
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Treasa Levasseur is a busy creative who wears many hats with enthusiasm. She is a JUNO-nominated songwriter, a seasoned sideperson and has self-released 4 albums over the course of her career as a front person. These days she is finding fresh inspiration in her work as a community music facilitator, program administrator and arts educator, as well as being an in demand MC and pop-up choir leader.
Treasa helmed the Developing Artist Program at Folk Music Ontario for 6 years and recently completed a six year stint at Folk Alliance International. Elle est une fierte Franco-Ontarienne, and a proud Hamiltonian, and believes strongly in the power of personal expression as an agent of positive change.
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Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett
Episode 19