Ottawa Folk Festival Announces New Executive Director

February 28, 2007 - The Ottawa Folk Festival (www.ottawafolk.org) welcomes Tamara Kater as the Festival’s newly appointed Executive Director. She succeeds Gene Swimmer, who had served as Festival Executive Director for the past 11 years. Ms. Kater will work closely with Artistic Director Chris White, the Festival Organizing Committee, crew coordinators and the Board in the months leading up to the 2007 Festival, to be held August 16–19.

“The Ottawa Folk Festival is an inspiring and magnificent event, drawing together a community of wonderful volunteers, performers and music lovers. I am both honoured and thrilled to be joining this venerable organization and look forward to many more years of successful festivals,” says Ms. Kater.

Board President and Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee, Pam Marjerrison, says, “Tamara’s passion for folk music and her considerable financial management, staff management and team-building skills are just what the Festival needs as it heads into its 14th year. We are excited about working with her and achieving great things at the 2007 Festival.”

Daughter of an instrument-builder father and a community activist mother, Tamara Kater grew up surrounded by musicians and people building community organizations. She moved to the National Capital Region six years ago from her native Montreal, where she was General Manager of Repercussion Theatre, a touring Shakespeare-in-the-Park company. A passionate music aficionado, Ms. Kater has worked in arts management and community outreach for more than a decade. Most recently, she was a member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s music education team.

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