Folk Music Ontario is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Estelle Klein Award.
The Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Erin Benjamin and the inaugural Estelle Klein Community Builder Award will be presented to Treasa Levasseur. Erin and Treasa will receive their awards and be honoured with a special video & presentation at the Ontario Folk Music Awards on Sunday, October 15, 2023; part of the 2023 Folk Music Ontario Conference, October 12-15, 2023, in London, Ontario
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. Recipients are nominated by the members of Folk Music Ontario, and selected by a committee made up of the board of directors and invited stakeholders.
About The Recipients:
Erin Benjamin - Lifetime Achievement Award
An award-winning community builder and driving force in Canadian Association leadership, Erin Benjamin has worked in the music industry for over 25 years. Originally a touring and recording artist and then as executive director of both Folk Music Ontario (2001) and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (2008), today Erin continues her work as the first and only President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (since its founding in 2014). An unflagging champion for the live music sector, particularly during COVID-19, she currently serves as a board member for the Ottawa Board of Trade, the United Way Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Film Office. Over the years she has served a wide variety of organizations as a board member including The Unison Fund, Folk Alliance International, the Songwriters Association of Canada, the National Arts Centre’s Creation Fund, RBC Ottawa Bluesfest and others.
Treasa Levasseur - Community Builder Award
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.
From Folk Music Ontario Executive Director, Rosalyn Dennett:
“Erin is a tenacious and inspiring leader, whose story is woven into the fabric of folk community through her career as an artist, nearly a decade of building Folk Music Ontario into the organization it is today, advising a wide breadth of music industry organizations through her board service, and ultimately, being a champion for the live music industry; our festivals, venues and live music workers. Thank you, Erin, for your fearless and inspiring leadership, for keeping the spirit of folk with you through all that you do, and for the mentorship and guidance you gift to the next generation of leaders.”
“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. Thank you, Treasa, for manifesting safe and special communities for new generations of creatives to thrive in. You exude the spirit of Estelle in your honest and innovative leadership style, and we are very excited to celebrate your contributions to the folk community with the inaugural Estelle Klein Community Builder Award.”
Estelle Klein Award Interviews
The ReFolkUs Podcast will be releasing two incredible interview episodes with each of our Estelle Klein winners. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss them!
Please join us in congratulating Erin and Treasa by posting on social media using the graphics in this link.
Click here for more info on the Awards and conference