On the Road Ahead Workshop Speaker Profiles
Ashley Daniel Foot is an arts and culture communications professional based in British Columbia. Ashley has worked with such major Canadian arts organizations such as Opera Atelier, Electric Company Theatre, Early Music Vancouver, PuSh Festival, and Toronto Civic Theatres to further their strategic communications goals. Ashley also works for the Cowichan Valley Regional District doing Marketing and Community Outreach for the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, where he also produces their podcast. Ashley has also produced radio documentaries for CBC Radio and Radio Canada International. Find out more at ashleyfoot.ca
There are world musicians, and there are musicians of the world. In the case of Alberta-born Doug Cox, this talented six-stringer happens to be both. As a young bluesman, this devotee of all-things-with-frets-and-strings had a life-transforming moment over 30 years ago when he first picked up the Dobro. Either as solo performer or as guest artist, or when touring with longtime friends and colleagues, Doug embodies inventiveness and breathtaking musicality.
More than just a performer, Doug is deeply embedded in the entire world of music. Aside from regularly teaching at music camps in Alaska, Texas, and England, he ran his own Malahat Mountain Music label for years and still produces records. He is also the producer and artistic director of Vancouver Island MusicFest, which has long been one of Canada’s most popular and respected music events.
https://www.dougcox.org
http://www.islandmusicfest.com
Evie Lavers is the owner of Rhythm Club, a full-service creative agency that specializes in training workshops and solutions for artists, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Evie is an innovative entrepreneur who exceeds industry expectations in delivering digital communication campaigns, community-focused content creation, cultural event facilitation and arts administration.
She is also the co-producer of Tiny Lights Festival and Content Creator for Arts BC. Recent achievements include the addition of her role as an Industry Expert to the Arts BC Insight Team; being selected as the only representative from BC to be accepted into the Canada Music Incubator Artist Manager Program in Toronto and volunteering at FACTOR and the Western Australia Music Association Awards.
https://www.rhythmclub.ca
Jessica Fowlis (she/they) is an arts and entertainment marketer, multidisciplinary artist, and theatre practitioner. Jessi both lives and works in Coquitlam, BC, where she is the Marketing Manager of Evergreen Cultural Centre, located on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral core territories of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nations, which lie within the shared territories of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Sḵwx̱wú7mes Úxwumixw (Squamish) nations in the region that is known colonially as the Tri-Cities.
As an arts marketer, Jessi is passionate about uplifting the arts as an integral part of our communities, supporting emerging creators, and developing new accessibility and engagement strategies for arts and culture organizations. Most recently, she presented these ideas at the City of Coquitlam’s 2019 Cultural Summit, and as part of the BC Touring Council’s Next Gen Committee. When not at Evergreen, Jessi is a coffee enthusiast, cat parent, and the founder of Stargazer Creative Co.
British Columbia born folk singer/songwriter John McLachlan’s original folk songs are hand-woven from his own roots, and the history and salty air of Canada’s west coast.
He began performing in folk clubs in Vancouver in 1979 and for 20 years he presented his original songs in hundreds of theatres, festivals, clubs and schools. After a hiatus from touring while he worked as a graphic designer and arts administrator he returned to music in 2014. Since then he’s recorded five albums and is touring again. John calls Hornby Island (traditional territory of the Comox First Nation), home.
https://www.johnmclachlan.ca
Kym Gouchie is a multi-talented artist who wears many hats. She proudly represents her Carrier, Cree and Shuswap ancestors and likes to acknowledge her European blood too. An independent strong woman, she is a mother and a grandmother, a playwright, visual artist and a professional musician who spends the majority of her time on the road. She is a consultant and festival coordinator with over 25 years of experience in creating space for Indigenous artists and musicians. Kym is currently residing in her ancestral territory, the Lheidli T’enneh, also known as Prince George. She is an advocate for Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and is an intergenerational residential school survivor. Inspired by her eclectic background, Kym draws on the sometimes harsh realities of searching for her own identity as an Indigenous woman who was no stranger to adversity.
https://kymgouchie.com
Margot Holmes has owned and operated Caline Artists International for 30+ years. In addition to managing and touring Canadian artists around the globe, she has also worked as a presenter with the Vancouver Island Symphony and Festival Nanaimo. Margot understands life on the road – touring around the world for 25 years with the British Columbia Boys Choir. During Covid Summer of 2020, she produced 42 Pop Up Concerts in 10 locations on Vancouver Island for audiences of 50. Wearing two hats – Agent/Manager and Presenter – she has worked both sides of the deal.
In 2015, she was awarded Agent of the Year by CAPACOA and in 2017, she was awarded the BC Touring Council’s Agent of the Year Award for her work in creating the Maverick Cooperative.
https://caline.com
https://maverickcooperative.com
Mark is a well-known face on the BC music and event scene, and has a personal network with key organizations and individuals garnered over 30 years. The work is connecting communities, artists, audiences and opportunities. Networked with like-minded organizations throughout the province Marks company, Misty Mountain Productions works towards creating opportunity for artists, engaging events and serves the wider BC arts industry. He also operates his studio Misty Mountain Sound, in Penticton, BC.
https://mistymountainsound.ca
Mary Matheson is a professional event photographer based in Vancouver, BC. She has teamed up with many bands to work on promotional shoots, concert photography and album art. She has shot for large-scale festivals, circus performers and arts organizations. She uses state of the art equipment and software to create high quality images. Mary’s goal is to use her camera to open a world of new connections, opportunities, and most importantly, adventures.
http://www.marymathesonphotography.com/
Mike Delamont is the 18 time “Best of the Fest” winning creator and star of God Is A Scottish Drag Queen, one of the most popular one man shows in the country and the highest grossing show on the North American fringe circuit. An acclaimed producer, Mike has grown his popular franchise of shows from playing small black box theatres to playing some of the largest venues in the country, developing a large, dedicated fan base, and selling more than 40,000 tickets a year. A 3 time Canadian Comedy Award nominee, his 8 one man shows have toured to sold out houses across the continent. As a comedian, Mike has appeared on CBC’s Laugh Out Loud and The Debaters, SiriusXM’s Top Comic, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Halifax Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs and the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. During the past year of lockdowns Mike saw 163 of his shows cancelled in 6 different countries so began to push his content online. Since the fall Mike has released his second album on iTunes, filmed and released a live (and socially distanced) album and comedy special of a new Pandemic Edition of God Is A Scottish Drag Queen, and debuted “Flori-DUH!” on the new Comedy Here Often? Podcast Network.
Nadine Tremblay spends most of her time as Executive and Artistic Director of the Trail and District Arts Council and manager of the Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail as well as teaching musical theatre to children through Triple Threat Productions. Nadine has a degree in opera, a certificate in musical theatre (Canadian College of performing Arts,) has written 5 Iron Mountain Theatre musicals and co-written 3 full length albums with Rupert Keiller under the pen name ‘Sexton Blake.’ She is so pleased to be able to support artists and help their careers as much as possible.
Paul Hinrichs has always been a live music fan and spent his formative years touring Canada and the USA. Paul started presenting live music concerts in Nelson, BC in 2010 and founded On The Road Management and Productions to provide artist management to BC based acts Shred Kelly, Shane Philip and The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra. In 2015, Paul became Artistic Director of the infamous Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival, and the following year took over operations of the festival as the Executive Director. Paul graduated from the Contemporary Music and Technology program at Selkirk College, is a juror for FACTOR, and judge for the JUNOS.
https://kaslojazzfest.com
For almost 30 years, Tom has been forging a career in the music industry with passion, creativity and a DIY attitude. In that time, he has been a JUNO award winner, a two-time West Coast Music Award recipient, Genie Award winner, agent, manager, festival AD, presenter, panelist, band leader, musical director, label owner, producer and educator.
He has always been a music maverick, working outside the confines of the preverbal box. When opportunities weren’t offered to him, he created them. When agents and labels weren’t interested, he formed his own agency, booked his own tours and formed his own record company. With dedication and hard work, eventually labels came calling as did tours and opportunities. His songs have become his calling card, and have reached thousands of people worldwide opening even more doors and opportunities.
Tom’s career has been a combination of talent, dedication and luck. Never one to rest on his laurels, he is always looking ahead to the next exciting project, the next catchy chorus hook, or the next skill to learn. After almost 3 decades in the music industry, Tom still tries to strike the perfect balance between the business of music and the artistry and soul of music.
Vicky Jones oversees marketing and rentals for the Trail & District Arts Council at the 721-seat Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail, BC. With over 20-years of experience working in the non-profit sector, Vicky has worked in communications, sponsorship, and event planning at various arts organizations including the Vancouver International Film Festival and Whistler Arts Council. She currently works on everything from content creation and curation to traditional and digital marketing campaigns.
Vicky knows how difficult it can be for artists to promote themselves and be seen in this competitive industry and that 2020 has made us all learn exciting and challenging new skills!
trail-arts.com / thebailey.ca
Safety Advisor, Performing Arts and Live Events
Will joined Actsafe in October 2019. He is a graduate of the BCIT Occupational Health and Safety program where he received a ‘Marks of Distinction’ award for his efforts. Will really enjoys facilitating and attending adult education workshops, and volunteers time with the CSSE as Regional Vice-President for BC and Yukon as well as a local theatrical society. Will is kept busy by his Basset Hound, Radar, and can often be found meandering down creeks and trails in search of whatever it is Radar smells.
This year Will has spent much of his time providing consultation on safety plans in the COVID-19 era. Feel free to email willheller@actsafe.ca or performingartssafety@actsafe.ca anytime. I’d like the chance to chat!