In this episode, we sit down with Chris White, recipient of the 2026 Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chris takes us through his lifelong journey in folk music, from growing up in a musical family and discovering the power of community singing to co-founding the Ottawa Folk Festival and helping create opportunities for artists through Home Routes. We talk about his work in radio with Canadian Spaces, the importance of festivals as spaces for connection and participation, and his ongoing work bringing people together through music.

On behalf of Folk Canada, congratulations to Chris White on this well deserved award!

Connect with Chris on Facebook and find his music on Bandcamp.

About Chris White

Based in Ottawa, Chris White was born in Toronto into a musical family with Nova Scotian roots that combine Black, White and Indigenous heritage. As a child, he sang in a sibling vocal quartet and participated in a neighbourhood choir led by his father. His mother played the piano and was a major fan of Canadian folk songs. A songwriter and guitar player, Chris has released three albums of original songs that are sometimes humorous and sometimes touching. He is known for his engaging stage presence and his ability to get audiences to sing along enthusiastically!

He is a member of a musical collective called the Afro-Métis Nation, and also performs with his banjo-playing wife, Mary Gick. Chris's contributions to the folk music community extend to musical event planning and organizing. He revived the Writer's Bloc songwriting group in 1989, and brought Karen Leslie Hall's Song-Along songwriting challenge to the Ottawa area in 1994. He co-founded the Ottawa Folk Festival in 1993 and served as its artistic director for 16 years, placing an ever-increasing emphasis on participatory experiences such as weekend choirs, ukulele-building workshops, dance tents and collaborative murals. Chris has helped to create many other community-oriented festivals and events over the years, including the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, Gil's Hootenanny, Folkbooth, Tree Songs, and a live national video show called Canadian Faces.

Chris is a founding member of the Home Routes national house concert network and has also served on the board of CKCU and OCFF (now Folk Canada). He has designed large-scale musical events for the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Public Services International, as well as smaller-scale singing, songwriting and performance workshops in schools, colleges and camps. Following in his father's footsteps, Chris has created community singing groups for people of all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, newcomers, and people with dementia.

Since 2013, Chris has been involved in producing and hosting 'Canadian Spaces' on CKCU FM, Canada's longest-running folk/roots radio show. He also helps high school students develop radio and video skills during co-op placements.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode, our guest host, Treasa Levasseur, chats with William Prince, acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter and performer.

William reflects on the making of Further from the Country, the role of community and collaboration in his music, and how trust and surrender have shaped his creative process. They talk about balancing ambition with authenticity, staying rooted while navigating an international career, and how family, love, and legacy continue to shape his life and artistry.

Head over to William Prince’s website for tour dates, mailing list sign up and more and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

About William Prince

William Prince is a JUNO Award-winning artist from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, whose powerful presence and storytelling have made him one of Canada’s most compelling musical voices. His songs speak to love, loss, and connection—carrying stories from where he’s from to audiences around the world. Whether on renowned stages or in intimate settings, Prince creates a profound and lasting connection with listeners.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn

In this episode, we sit down with Emy Stantcheva, Executive Director of MusicOntario.

Emy shares practical advice on export readiness, developing a clear market strategy, preparing for conferences, and making meaningful industry connections. We also explore effective pitching, creative promotional materials, and the importance of following up and maintaining relationships after events. It's an informative conversation on navigating industry conferences and export missions not to be missed!

Become a member of MusicOntario, sign up for their newsletter and follow them on Instagram. Also be sure to check out Make it Music for more national focused opportunities and follow them on Instagram.

About Emy Stantcheva

Emy Stantcheva is Executive Director of MusicOntario, the provincial Music Industry Association (MIA) dedicated to supporting the music industry in Ontario through outreach programs and opportunity creation. Since joining MusicOntario in 2013, Emy oversees all aspects of its operations and programming, fulfilling the association’s mission to bridge gaps for emerging artists and entrepreneurs through professional development, access to resources, showcasing, and networking. Emy comes from a robust background of event and festival management, music grantwriting, publicity, marketing, media, freelance copywriting, and artist management.

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Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops.

Presented by Folk Canada

Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett

Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett

Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin

Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac

Artwork by Jaymie Karn