Dedicated full day event packed with professional development opportunities, information sharing and networking. Co-chaired by Jo Freya (folk artist, composer and educator) and Kerry Fletcher (FEG Co-ordinator)

Jo Freya will lead a song writing session and tell us about her work as a freelance folk artist, composer and educator; Lincolnshire Music Service’s Chris Rogers, Operational Manager, String Co-ordinator and Early Years Co-ordinator will talk about his folk–rock band for 10-15 year olds, and his creative approach to arranging folk tunes, with a practical workshop for instrumentalists; Nikki-Kate Heyes, Founder and CEO of Soundlincs will give an overview of their work, including the map of folk activity they have developed; Peter Barnard, Founder of Awaken Village Interest in Dance (AVID) will talk about getting rural communities dancing, also with a short workshop; there will be an update from the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) with Sarah Jones, Programme Manager of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, and Rachel Elliott, Education Director, on EFDSS’ Education work across the country; Carol Dawson of The North Lincolnshire Youth Folk Ensemble will tell us about the Folklincs project; and finally, there will be a discussion about including non-traditional instruments, and what that means in terms of perceptions and opportunities, both in the folk music and other genres, led by Jo Freya and Sarah Jones.

Having been enthused by the speakers' presentations, there will be the opportunity for networking and sharing of ideas. There will be practical sessions in music making and dance so please do bring instruments if you have them.