FoLk+

Online Music Conference

June 17 - 18, 2025

Folk+ is an online music conference featuring expert panels, networking, showcases, workshops, and more!

What's happening at FOLK+?

Networking

Connect with artists and industry
from around the globe during networking sessions

Panels and Workshops

Collect insights from music industry experts during live panels and recorded content – rewatch anytime!

Performances

Share your music with the industry at exclusive song circles, or post your music to the Chorus platform for all to see!

Folk+ Takes Place on Chorus

The online hub for artists and professionals in our community. Share your music and make valuable connections with a huge directory of folkies.

Folk+ Schedule

All events are accessible after you register!
Including recordings to watch at any time after the event.

Tuesday, June 17

11:00 am CT

Welcome and Elevator Rides

Going up? Anyone who has attended a FAI or Regions' in-person conference before knows that riding the elevators can lead to unexpected bouts of laughter, provide hot tips on what events to check out, and facilitate chance encounters between strangers just waiting to become fast folk friends. June 17 at 11am CST, catch a virtual lift and find yourself in a six person randomly selected ‘Elevator Ride’ on Zoom, where you can share stories, run into friends you haven’t seen in awhile, and embrace the element of surprise.

12:00 pm CT

SoundExchange 101: From Registration to Royalites

Want to learn more about SoundExchange? We’ve got you covered!Join Marc Rucker (Associate Director, Artist & Industry Relations) for an exclusive webinar designed to help you maximize your royalties and make the most of your music.
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12:00 pm CT

Back Catalog Listening Party: Live Podcast Taping and Q+A with Steve Poltz (Presented by FARM)

Join FARM's Mother Banjo & Anthony Ihrig (The High 48s) as they host a live taping of their interactive Back Catalog Listening Party podcast with Steve Poltz, who will revisit one of his old records and answer your questions live!
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1:15 pm CT

Panel: Strong, Seen, and Singing: Navigating the Current Political Landscape (Presented by NERFA)

With Kemp Harris, Reggie Harris, and others TBA. This discussion will cover how we as artists remain true to our vision and principles as we tour around the country and through various neighborhoods with different political leanings. Do we speak loudly or softly? Are our past, current, or future songs helpful or tricky, and how do we feel out an audience to know how best to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable? What’s feeding our songwriting these days?

2:15 pm CT

Folk First: Your Backstage Pass to Regional Magic

Why Starting with a Folk Alliance Region Sets the Stage for Success

Panelists: Kari Estrin, Annie Capps, and Ordinary Elephant
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‍Ready to make waves in the folk world? Start regional and go far! This dynamic session will dive into the power of attending a Folk Alliance regional conference first—why it matters, what you gain, and how to turn it into a launchpad for deeper connections at the national FAI conference. From insider tips on networking to building a strategic plan that maximizes every opportunity across the regions, you'll walk away with a roadmap (and maybe a few new friends). Whether you're an artist, presenter, or industry pro, this is your all-access pass to leveling up your folk game.
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3:30 pm CT

Meet the Regions: SWRFA

Join us for an engaging virtual session where you'll have the opportunity to meet your regional leadership team, explore upcoming conference opportunities, and learn about year-round programming and ways to get involved through volunteering. This is a great chance to connect directly with the leaders driving the mission forward, ask questions, and discover how the organization can support your professional and creative goals. Whether you're new or looking to deepen your involvement, this session is designed to inform and inspire.

SWRFA serves Arizona, Colorado, Mexico, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

3:30 pm CT

Meet the Regions: SERFA

Join us for an engaging virtual session where you'll have the opportunity to meet your regional leadership team, explore upcoming conference opportunities, and learn about year-round programming and ways to get involved through volunteering. This is a great chance to connect directly with the leaders driving the mission forward, ask questions, and discover how the organization can support your professional and creative goals. Whether you're new or looking to deepen your involvement, this session is designed to inform and inspire.

SERFA serves Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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3:30 pm CT

Meet the Regions: FAR-West

Join us for an engaging virtual session where you'll have the opportunity to meet your regional leadership team, explore upcoming conference opportunities, and learn about year-round programming and ways to get involved through volunteering. This is a great chance to connect directly with the leaders driving the mission forward, ask questions, and discover how the organization can support your professional and creative goals. Whether you're new or looking to deepen your involvement, this session is designed to inform and inspire.

FAR-West serves Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Northwest Territory, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Yukon Territory.
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4:30 pm CT

Qobuz: The DSP That Does Things Differently

Learn more about this small French company that has established itself as a global player in music streaming. What is the deal with sound quality? Why does it matter? You will hear directly from senior Qobuz executives about the ways the service appeals to music fanatics that are not well-served by more well-known platforms.
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5:30 pm CT

Virtual Performance Lane led by FARM

FARM’s Virtual Performance Lane offers a limited number of 10-minute mini showcases that take place on Zoom. This showcase is filled in order of sign-up. No jury selection. Just timing.

Wednesday, June 18

11:00 am CT

The Banjo: A History of America’s African Instrument (Presented by SERFA)

How did the banjo, which has roots in West Africa, become a symbol of rural white America? Along the way, the instrument took center stage in America's most popular form of entertainment in the mid-19th century and found a home in the Victorian parlor. Through historic images, recordings, and live performance, Matthew Sabatella, founder and president of Ballad of America, Inc., tells the story of the banjo from its African roots through its development in the Caribbean, early history with enslaved people in North America, growth in popularity through blackface minstrel performances, integration into dance and song traditions in Appalachia, role in 20th and 21st century ragtime, jazz, folk, old-time, bluegrass, country, popular, and world music, as well as the current Black Banjo Renaissance.
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12:30 pm CT

Get Paid for Your Music: A Webinar about The MLC

Getting paid for your music shouldn’t be complicated. Join us for this engaging webinar where The MLC will break down the revenue streams available to independent songwriters and music creators in the digital age. We’ll explore the essentials of digital mechanical royalties and share actionable tips to ensure you’re collecting every cent you deserve. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to maximize your earnings, this session will provide the clarity and guidance you need to unlock your full revenue potential.
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12:30 pm CT

Susan Werner – Prerecorded Keynote at FARM 2024

Join us for a special keynote address by acclaimed singer-songwriter Susan Werner, from the FARM Gathering
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1:30 pm CT

Meet the Regions: FARM

Join us for an engaging virtual session where you'll have the opportunity to meet your regional leadership team, explore upcoming conference opportunities, and learn about year-round programming and ways to get involved through volunteering. This is a great chance to connect directly with the leaders driving the mission forward, ask questions, and discover how the organization can support your professional and creative goals. Whether you're new or looking to deepen your involvement, this session is designed to inform and inspire.

FARM serves Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nunavut, Ohio, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
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1:30 pm CT

Meet the Regions: NERFA

Join us for an engaging virtual session where you'll have the opportunity to meet your regional leadership team, explore upcoming conference opportunities, and learn about year-round programming and ways to get involved through volunteering. This is a great chance to connect directly with the leaders driving the mission forward, ask questions, and discover how the organization can support your professional and creative goals. Whether you're new or looking to deepen your involvement, this session is designed to inform and inspire.

NERFA serves Connecticut, D.C. (and its metro area including the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William), Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhode Island, and Vermont

2:15 pm CT

Performance Workshop with Amy Speace (Presented by SWRFA)

This is a comprehensive Performance workshop to shake what you already do well up a bit and challenge you to go deeper, connect more authentically. It’s a very simple method of questioning the performance in the moment to bring the performer to a new level of commitment. As we only have an hour, I’ll talk through the method and use a few of you to work with. If you’re interested in working (and I can only choose a few), rather than my usual workshops, I’ll have you sit at your computer and play a song (you know well) and we’ll work the performance technique vocally. Have your ‘original sound on’ on Zoom. Looking forward to talking Performance with you! I’ve been teaching this class for over 20 years at The Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Song School, Kerrville Festival Song School, as Master Classes at Berklee College of Music and Northeastern University and privately to many coaching clients.
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2:45 pm CT

Folk+ Town Hall: Navigating U.S. Travel & Visa Challenges for Artists

A special edition of the Folk+ Town Hall, a virtual Q&A-style webinar focused on traveling into the United States, with a spotlight on the latest updates and ongoing challenges related to artist visas. Whether you're an international artist, manager, or industry professional, this session will provide timely insights, expert guidance, and space for your questions.
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4:15 pm CT

Video Basics for Musicians (Presented by SWRFA)

Steef and Chris Sealy live in two creative worlds – video production and music. As longtime owners of a video production company in Denver, AND as singer/songwriters themselves, they know a thing or two about the simplest ways for musicians to make their own music videos. They’ll share their knowledge in a workshop designed just for musicians, complete with tips about techniques and equipment to capture and share our favorite songs.
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4:30 pm CT

Keynote Interview: Allison Russell in Conversation with Ann Powers (Pre-recorded at FAI 2025)

Join us for a compelling prerecorded keynote interview featuring acclaimed artist and activist Allison Russell in conversation with esteemed music journalist Ann Powers. This intimate dialogue explores Russell’s creative journey, her powerful commitment to social justice, and the transformative role of folk music in shaping cultural narratives. Through candid reflections and deep insights, this conversation offers a unique lens on artistry, identity, and resilience in today’s folk landscape.
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5:30 pm CT

Campfire Song Circle led by FAR-West

Join us around the virtual campfire song circle, where artists and audiences from the FAR-West region and beyond are welcome to enjoy original songs, favorite covers, and tunes inspired by that week's theme. Don your slippers and join us around the campfire. First timers are always welcome! Sign up in advance to perform or be in the audience.

Register for FOLK+ for free or pay-what-you-can!

All donations go directly to supporting our FAI Regions who provide resources and host events for folk music artists and industry!

Sign-up for free or register with a donation as small as $5!

Appalachian Americana Blues Bluegrass Celtic Cajun Fusions Global Roots Hip-Hop Old-Time Singer-Songwriter Spoken Word Traditional Zydeco

Presented by the FAI Regions

The Folk+ Online Music Conference is a collaboration of the FAI Regions who support and connect the music industry in specific parts of the world.

Strengthen your regional connections – go to their conferences and events!

Learn MORE: fai regions