About us
Sudbury FolkTrad
Sudbury FolkTrad organizes and promotes folk and traditional music, dance and folklore events in Sudbury, Northern Ontario, Canada. Fiddlers, folk musicians and stepdancers of all ages and levels come together for various fiddle and stepdance focused events. SFT runs workshops, kitchen parties, jam sessions, concerts, dances, and more.
Melanie Makela
Co-Founder
Melanie Makela is a fiddler and stepdancer from Sudbury, Ontario. Her musical roots are Ottawa Valley fiddling and step dancing. She has also explored various Canadian fiddle styles. Most recently, she has been working at developing her own style through her album "Something Up My Sleeve", a compilation of original fiddle tunes.
Melanie's performing career began early in her fiddle journey, performing with Fiddleworks and Beyond Ireland. On the Canadian competition scene, she has placed in the top 3 in stepdance and composition in contests across Ontario and she had the privilege of competing in the Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Championship in 2021.
Charlotte Sound
Co-Founder
Charlotte Stone is a fiddle player and Irish dancer from Sudbury, ON who has taught music and dance for many years and is involved in numerous organizations dedicated to building the Sudbury folk music and arts community. She spends her free time at home from her day job as a geologist knitting, hiking, baking, and jamming out to rad fiddle tunes.
Charlotte is passionate about making Sudbury a regular stop for touring folk musicians and groups by helping organize and plan events, and encouraging community participation in folk music and arts from people of all ages and abilities through inclusive and accessible programming.
Lou Hayden
Co-Founder
Lou Hayden is a ceilidh dance caller & event organiser originally from the UK. She loves to sing & is learning fiddle and guitar.
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