Folk Education Development Day 2025 - Speakers announced!
The Folk Education Network presents a day of information sharing, networking and discussion.
Wednesday 13 November 2024
11am - 5pm (with registration and networking from 10:30am)
University of Sheffield, Room LT 02, Arts Tower, Bolsover St, Sheffield S3 7NA
The Folk Education Network presents a day of information sharing, networking and discussion.
Join us for this lively informal conference and practitioner development day presented by our Folk Education Network in partnership with Access Folk at the University of Sheffield.
This is a free professional development day for artists, educators, practitioners, organisers and anyone interested in folk music, dance, and related folk arts, in any setting, such as education, heritage and participation settings.
Spotlighting interesting folk music and dance learning and participation practice in Sheffield and the surrounding region, expect presentations, short workshops, and opportunities for discussion. We have a fantastic line up of speakers and workshop leaders, and the day will be thought-provoking, informative and enjoyable!
Organisations and Speakers:
Access Folk - Fay Hield and Esbjörn Wettermark
Coventry University’s Centre for Dance Research & Dancing Dialogues - Dr Rosa Cisneros
English Folk Dance and Song Society / National Youth Folk Ensemble - Rachel Elliott, Hannah Mears-Young and Jen Cox
Folk Factory - Nicola Beazley and Robyn Wallace
Forge & Fledge - Rosie Hodgson
Leeds Conservatoire’s Folk, Roots and Blues degree – Rachael Sutcliffe
Orchestras for All - Laura Fullwood
Sheffield Music Hub - Ian Naylor
Welcoming Cultures - Terezia Rostas
More about the speakers and the sessions:
Rosie Hodgson (song) and Rosie Butler-Hall (fiddle) of Soundposts’ Forge & Fledge will speak about this new venture which nurtures new and experienced adult singers and musicians through two strands of its work. One, to provide a safe space to encourage singers to find their voice, the other is artistic development for experienced musicians, honing their musicianship and performance in a group setting. They will lead us in a vocal warm up to energise us for the action-packed day ahead.
English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) Update - Rachel Elliott (Education Director), Hannah Mears-Young (Programme Manager, National Youth Folk Ensemble) and Jen Cox (Dance Development Manager) will give an update on national aspects of the EFDSS Education programme.
Dr Rosa Cisneros - Midlands Dance Consultant and Co-ordinator for the Dancing Dialogues network project, Associate Professor (research), Coventry University’s Centre for Dance Research, dancer, Romani studies Scholar and peace activist. Rosa will discuss the Dancing Dialogues network project, some different aspects of her own practice, and navigating Equality, Diversity and Inclusion themes in Higher Education as a Roma woman. Rosa will lead us in a short dance workshop.
Prof. Fay Hield (Lead Researcher) and Dr Esbjörn Wettermark (Research Associate) from Access Folk will lead us through this ground-breaking research project, its findings and developments. Access Folk is exploring ways to increase and diversify participation in folk singing in England.
Nicola Beazley (Founder) and Robyn Wallace (tutor) from Folk Factory will talk about this innovative youth music ensemble, dedicated to exploring folk music, tunes, songs and dance from around the world in a fun and friendly way. They will also lead us in a short workshop.
Rachael Sutcliffe from Leeds Conservatoire will give an update on the BA (Hons) Music Degree in Folk, Roots and Blues, and discuss how it fits into the wider picture at the Conservatoire
Laura Fullwood (Youth Leadership Coordinator) from Orchestras for All, recently moved to their new home in Sheffield, will talk about their powerful work with young people and how they break down barriers to give all young people the life-changing experience of making music, with inclusion at the heart of their work.
Ian Naylor (Head of Music Education) of Sheffield Music Hub, will talk about the recent restructure of music hubs and how it’s working across South Yorkshire, and as part of the new South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Music Hub.
Terezia Rostas, founder of Care for Young People's Future, will talk about the Welcoming Cultures project, part of the Migration Matters Festival in Sheffield 2024. Welcoming Cultures work with communities on culture, heritage, folk, preserving and showcasing, and sharing everyone's culture, fostering social cohesion and deeper understanding between communities.
Co-Chaired by Esbjörn Wettermark (Access Folk, University of Sheffield) and Kerry Fletcher (Folk Education Network Coordinator, English Folk Dance and Song Society).
