Every year, NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) members nominate and elect board members who represent folk music industry leadership and help shape the future of our organization. The upcoming annual election closes on February 8, with the candidates posted below, including photos, bios, and platform statements. A secure online election ballot has been distributed by email to all voting members of NERFA. There are three open seats in this election for three-year terms commencing in March 2024.
Meet Your Candidate
Here are the current candidates on the ballot. Candidates recommended by the NERFA Nomination Committee are marked with a (*).
Bio
Joel Elliott is the Operations Manager of Folk Music Ontario (FMO), Canada’s largest provincial organization devoted to the folk, roots, and traditional music community, and organizers of the annual FMO Conference, which attracts upwards of 800 folkies from across Canada and the US each year. Previously, he spent a decade at The Conference Board of Canada, marketing and delivering upwards of 20 conferences and 100 webinars per year.
Joel hails from Ottawa, Ontario where he is active in the local music scene. He is a former community radio (CKCU 93.1) and television (Rogers 22) host, and former board member of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition. He currently sits on the programming committee for the Capital Music Awards.
Ballot Statement
As the current secretary of the Board of Directors, my goals are to learn more about the folk community and the people within, build stronger connections between artists and industry across borders, and work to make the NERFA conference as effective and fruitful as possible for each and every participant.
Bio
Lisa Kaston has been co-planning and presenting concerts, online showcases, special events and festivals for the past ten years, three of which she served as board president of Connecticut Folk. She also recently served two terms on New Haven’s literacy volunteer board.
While on CT Folk’s board, Lisa’s passion and efforts were directed toward engaging a widening community through collaborative planning and grant-funded programming. The main stage of the 2023 CT Folk Festival was named in Lisa’s honor, in recognition of her work with CT Folk and the community. Her musical interests remain eclectic, having spent her earlier years exploring jazz, rock and folk music in NYC.
Ballot Statement
I’d like to use my skills and experience to help widen NERFA’s reach to new venues/presenters, to strengthen outreach to a diverse group of artists/other professionals, and for broader participation on NERFA’s board and committees. I also wish to support grant-seeking/sponsorship efforts to enhance outreach, scholarships and other identified goals.
Bio
Cheryl Prashker studied classical percussion at McGill University in her hometown of Montreal, where she landed her first international tour. She honed her skills as an accompanist in New York City, earning tour spots with Eric Andersen, Pat Wictor, Tracy Grammer, Jonathan Edwards, Zoe Mulford and more. She is a founding member of Celtic Roots band RUNA. As an administrator, Cheryl spent 15 years working alongside NERFA founder Dianne Tankle, eventually joining the Board of Directors and serving seven years as President. Cheryl now makes her home in Ontario, where she is Artistic Director and General Manager of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, College, and Kids Camp.
Ballot Statement
Since I first attended, NERFA opened up a whole new world for me and became my community. I am proud of the time I spent as an employee and on the Board. I hope to help move the organization forward while honoring its past so we can grow together, not apart.
Bio
Pam Robinson has been involved in the folk music scene for nearly 30 years, with experience ranging from serving as NERFA volunteer coordinator and infrastructure planner to producing musical events for The Folk Project. Involving herself in all aspects of production, she has been the creative force behind numerous music festivals, concerts, and workshops (both musical and technical). Pam has also organized fundraisers, including applying for and receiving grants and producing silent auctions. She has served as a volunteer at Folk Project events, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and the Great Hudson River Revival (aka Clearwater).
Ballot Statement
To me, NERFA is all about community. My goal is to encourage people from within the community to get more involved with the organization and conference. I also want to work toward expanding our community to include more diversity, both in people and music.
Bio
Carolann Solebello is a performing songwriter born and bred in NYC. A founding
member of both Red Molly and No Fuss and Feathers, Carolann first attended NERFA in 1999 and returned nearly every year until 2018. Between 2013 and 2018, she was NERFA’s first “guerrilla keeper,” connecting performers with private showcase hosts, guiding first-timers, and organizing the master showcase schedule. A proud member of AFM Local 1000 and the Jack Hardy Songwriters Exchange, Carolann has hosted open mics, run concert series, facilitated workshops, and won songwriting awards. She tours regularly and is currently working on her sixth solo album.
Ballot Statement
For more than twenty years, NERFA has given me kinship, support, and frankly, a career. I have been enriched by both deep-rooted traditions and fresh ideas, and empowered by the common values that bind us together across generations. Our roots give us strength to rise. Our history powers our future.
Bio
Tracy Walton is a versatile music professional, known as a singer-songwriter, bassist, producer, author, and studio owner. Starting his musical journey at age ten with a guitar, he later studied jazz at the Hartford Conservatory, majoring in upright bass performance. He also holds a BA in music history and a minor in literature. In the mid-nineties, Walton formed a successful jazz trio, performing 200 shows annually. His tenure at The National Guitar Workshop saw him authoring three educational books and collaborating with David Bromberg. Balancing teaching with performing, Walton has released 17 albums in various projects, including four solo albums, with “Small Town America” in 2021 being his latest. Presently, he produces music at his On Deck Sound Studio in Connecticut. Walton has been recognized receiving nominations for Male Artist of the Year in the New England Music Awards and being a finalist in the CT Folk Fest songwriting contest.
Ballot Statement
Tracy Walton seeks to join the NERFA board, bringing extensive experience in production, artist development, and education. With a rich background as a musician, producer, and educator, including authoring educational books and numerous album releases, he aims to enhance NERFA’s offerings and support the artistic community’s growth and development.
There is also a question in this year’s election. “Should Justin Nordell, President of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, be removed from the NERFA Board of Directors?”
View our current board members here.