Important note for the 2020 Board elections: Ballots for the FAR-West board elections will be sent from Folk Alliance International to current members of FAI in our region. If your membership in FAI has expired or been suspended, you will not receive a ballot.
If you live in the FAR-West Region and would like to join Folk Alliance or renew your membership, click here.
Incumbents:
Joel Tepp (Member at Large)
Bio
Playing multiple instruments and writing, Joel has credits on several hundred recordings, television shows and films and is a voting member of the Recording Academy. He received a BA in Music from UCLA after previous studies in criminology at UC Berkeley. His Folk roots reach back into the 1960s, when he began playing with artists like Johnny Shines, Earl Hooker and Sippi Wallace. In the 70s, he MC’d and co-managed the Monday night showcase at The Troubadour. He has been participating in FAR-West conferences continually since 2006 as a performer, panelist and organizer/volunteer.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I would like to continue to serve in order for further advance the programs of outreach, diversity and education initiated during my first term; and to also collaborate with the rest of the board to attract participation from more top tier artists and venues, both to mentor our attendees and receive their own uplifting and productive experiences in the process.
Carey Appel (Vice President)
Bio
I have served on the Far West board since 2015 and am currently Vice-President. Music has been my passion since I was 5 years old. Attending my first Folk Alliance conference several years ago was one of the most memorable weekends I can remember. Becoming a songwriter later in life, I have appreciated the warm welcome into the folk community. My love for music and appreciation of the benefits I’ve received now inspire me to give back - ensuring that other musicians have the opportunity to share their passion. I have hosted PGS rooms, coordinated Millsaps, been PGS coordinator 2016-19, FAR-West Secretary 2017-19, and set up The Musician’s Relief Fund exclusively for Folk Alliance members. Prior to retiring, I owned a retail business for 32 years, and enjoy bringing a bit of my experience to the Far West family.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
Continuing on the board, I would love to grow awareness for FAR-West and provide increasing opportunities for artists and presenters, while serving our entire music community. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Stephen Bond Garvan (Member at Large)
Bio
Active artist manager 25+ years. Boards: MMF –US, IMMF & Global Director Americana/Folk / Roots music. AMA Founding Council & Board, longtime Folk Alliance member, Steve has managed US artists: Mark Oblinger, Siobhan O’Brien, Black Feathers (advisor), Tiffany Gassett, Ryan Shupe & Rubberband, Michael Kelsh, Walt Wilkins, Tom Roznowski, Cidny Bullens, Chuck McDermott, Casey Neill, Mark Erelli, Cliff Eberhardt, Allen Estes /Estes Boys, Patti Witten, Beth Wood, April Cope, Radio Junkies; International: Mickey Harte, Lenou, Kila, Ezio. Steve has been a frequent speaker/panelist/mentor /moderator at conferences throughout US, Canada, Europe- SXSW, CMJ, Midem, Eurosonic, Bylarm, ASCAP Expo, CMW, Reeperbahn, Popkomm, Durango Songwriters Expo, Way Out West, Music & Media. Service on multiple music, arts, civic and community boards are a lifelong, steady part of his life.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I would be honored to deepen and continue to serve on FAR-West Board to further my deep and lifelong involvement in appreciation, development, education and long-term sustainability of folk, roots and rock music. As a manager, board member at numerous arts and music organizations (Swallow Hill, MMF-US, IMMF, AMA (Founding Council, early board member), Panida Theater, etc., I value new challenges and opportunities. Resident of FAR-West region since 2006.
MaryAnne Moorman (Member at Large)
Bio
Mary Anne Moorman is a writer/storyteller who hosts a folk music show on KBCS.FM, serves as a roots music emcee, tells stories with musicians across the country and helps young artists launch their business. She teaches writing, storytelling and serves on boards including The Seattle Storytellers Guild, Educator’s Fund for Excellence, Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival, BIOSS USA, the International Association of Machinists and FAR-West. Known as Auntmama in storytelling and music festival circles, she was awarded a Living Legacy Lifetime Achievement by the City of Seattle. (maryannemoorman.com)
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I hope to connect storytelling to music so it becomes an integral part of the conference. I join with the board to foster diversity, bring more tellers and musicians into the organization and create a long-range strategy.
New Candidates:
Marlynn Block
Bio
Marlynn has been into folk music since her earliest small venue concert memories: Theo Bikel, Judy Collins, Dylan. She picked up a guitar when everyone else did, but she began playing her true instrument, the accordion, as a child. Getting back into it after a bunch of years when it was considered too uncool to mention, she enjoyed playing with Heavy Shtetl, a Connecticut-based klezmer band. Since moving to Southern California, she has enthusiastically embraced the house concert scene, regularly volunteering at several. She was the Official Showcase co-coordinator for the 2019 FAR-West conference, the first she ever attended. She became so hooked, she’ll be doing it again in 2020. Marlynn has also had careers in advertising, video marketing and production and she still works a day job as a software development analyst with an East Coast insurance company.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
My first experience with FAR-West began when I helped out with the 2018 Official Showcases as a judge of artist submissions. That role exposed me to the wealth of talent and artistry “out there” and when I was nominated as a co-coordinator for the 2019 Official Showcases, I jumped at the chance to participate and contribute to the conference at a greater level. Becoming a member of the board would be the next step for me and would allow me to contribute my organizational and communication skills to help promote the values stated in the Folk Alliance and FAR-West mission statements.
Matthew Moran
Bio
Matthew Moran is a songwriter, author, and technology consultant. He performs solo and with his band, Arrogant Sage - a cross-genre melodic rock and contemporary country band. He provides workshops and online tutorials for artists and musicians covering content marketing, social media, free and nearly free technologies, recording/production, and business acumen. You can find out more at: https://MatthewMoranOnline.com and https://www.ArrogantSageMusic.com
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I would love to work with FAR-West leadership and members to help grow the organization's reach and top-of-mind awareness throughout the year - between and leading up to conferences. I will work to create a more technically effective and forward-moving organization - providing education, tools, and strategies for artists', venues, and the music passionate. Additionally, I would love to use the same to enhance communication to, and between, members.
Gaby Castro
Bio
Gaby Castro is an Americana singer-songwriter and San Francisco Bay Area native. She’s been an active performer since 2010 and regularly showcases at Folk Alliance International’s regional and international conferences. Her latest EP, La Guerrera//The Warrior EP, was released in March of 2019 and touches on themes such as feminism, self-empowerment, living with mental illness, and overcoming adversity. Her songwriting incorporates the lyrical power of Carole King, infectious hooks of Taylor Swift, and storytelling feel of Jewel. In December of 2019, Gaby completed a Master of Arts in Music Business at Berklee College of Music. Her latest plans include writing and recording her next album, touring the United States, and continuing to advocate for mental health, women’s rights, and disability rights. Let her music tell the stories.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I’ve been involved in the music industry since I was 15 years old, having worked as a songwriting mentor at a non-profit, organizing benefit concerts for causes including aid for Japan after the 2011 earthquake/tsunami, funding a music program for underserved children in East Palo Alto, California, and regularly attending industry events such as the ASCAP Experience and Folk Alliance conferences. Most recently, I’ve created a music and mental health program that I bring to local libraries in the Bay Area. I would be honored to serve on the Board and help connect young and aspiring folk artists to FAR-West as a young artist myself.
Reese Tanimura
Bio
Reese is a fourth-generation Japanese American who was born on the island of O’ahu and raised between Hawaii and Illinois. Her passion for music was ignited the moment she began playing the ukulele and has grown steadily through numerous instruments and genres. Reese is the Managing Director of Northwest Folklife, a Seattle-based cultural arts and heritage organization, whose mission is: “To create opportunities for all to celebrate, share, and participate in the evolving cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest.” Since 2008, Reese has led the Rain City Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble uplifting the musical contributions of womxn and non-binary individuals in jazz. She is a founding member of the urban folkgrass group, Lavender Lucy, and co-hosts the long-running Womanotes program on community radio station, KBCS. Currently, Reese serves as the Chair of the Seattle Music Commission, with a deep commitment to building a thriving, local creative economy and ecosystem.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I am interested in serving on the board of FAR-West because I believe that the mission and goals of the organization strongly align with my passion and work around the creative ecosystem, particularly as it relates to cultural heritage, roots and community. The geography that makes up FAR-West is also very much matched with the regions and communities that Northwest Folklife serves, and I would be excited to both broaden our networks, as well as share the regional and global work that Folk Alliance constituents are engaged in with some of our more local communities and partners.
Bill Wence
Bio
Bill Wence is a music business veteran who specializes in worldwide radio promotion for Country, Americana and Roots and Folk acts. Clients have included Mary Gauthier, Bobby Bare, Michael Martin Murphey, Wanda Jackson, Danny O’Keefe and many others. Wence worked radio in Alaska, California and several stations in Nashville during his DJ career and as a musician he still plays piano with Bobby Bare on selected shows. As a songwriter and artist Bill has charted over a dozen songs on the Billboard charts through the years. Memberships include Americana Music Association (founding member) Country Music Association (lifetime member) Musicians #257 (lifetime member) and Folk Alliance.
Why I Want to Serve on the Board
I’ve been attending Folk Alliance for several decades and have sponsored various activities at many events including the Official Showcase stage at the last three FAR-West conferences. I feel that with my experience in the music business I would like to give something back to the folk community that has been so good to me.