Artistic Directors Receive FMO Estelle Klein Community Builder Award

Folk Music Ontario (FMO) has just announced that AlgomaTrad founders and Artistic Directors Julie Schryer and Pat O’Gorman are the recipients of the 2024 Estelle Klein Community Builder Award. Julie and Pat will be presented with their awards by CBC Q host Tom Power at the Ontario Folk Music Awards on Sunday, October 6th, 2024. The Award  ceremony is part of the annual FMO Conference, which occurs this year from October 3-6 in Mississauga.

Named after the long-time advocate of Canadian Folk music and one of the initial founders of the Canadian Folk Festival scene, Estelle Klein, the Award honours the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community. Nominated by members of Folk Music Ontario and selected by a committee that includes the board of directors and invited stakeholders, the Estelle Klein Award is divided into two separate areas of recognition, The Community Builder Award, and The Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients include Ian Tamblyn, Erin Benjamin, and Jackie Washington.

From Folk Music Ontario Executive Director, Rosalyn Dennett:

“It is with great joy that we honour Pat O’Gorman and Julie Schryer, whose dedicated work through AlgomaTrad has significantly enriched the cultural fabric of northern Ontario over the past 20 years. Pat and Julie have played a crucial role in revitalizing the traditions of this region, and their passion and efforts in building a vibrant musical community are truly commendable.”