Below is the slate of candidates recommended by the FAI Nominations Committee and approved by FAI’s Board following an open call for expressions of interest to stand in the upcoming annual election which opens November 8th.
There are five open seats in this election for three-year terms commencing February 2022. The following are the six candidates for the ballot, in alphabetical order by last name, with incumbents running for reelection indicated by an asterisk:
Lynn Cingari*
Agent, Wasserman Music
Lynn Cingari is an agent at Wasserman Music and has worked at the agency (and its predecessors, Paradigm Talent Agency and Monterey Peninsula Artists) since 1998. Getting her start at an agency in Los Angeles, Lynn decided that Monterey Peninsula Artists was a better home, and she began working as the assistant to legendary agent Chip Hooper. Today, Lynn is proud to represent a host of amazing artists, such as Allison Russell, Aoife O’Donovan, Bruce Hornsby, Chris Thile, Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers, Shawn Colvin and The Wood Brothers, among others.
Platform Statement:
I am running for a 2nd term so that can continue to serve and use my experience on the board to work on important issues within the FAI community, while also working with new board members in order to ensure a strong board of directors long into the future.
As Export Music Producer for Sounds Australia Glenny has travelled across the globe helping Australian artists and industry fast-track their export opportunities through showcase and networking events. With a background in A&R, Marketing, promotion at EMI Music Australia as well as having worked as a touring musician and Stage Manager, Glenn has a broad knowledge of the full music ecosystem.
Platform Statement:
I attend and run events at a multitude of different music conferences across the world and in most genres. I’m a key contributor to the success of Global Music Match, working closely with everyone involved. I bring a unique bag of experience to the table.
Aberdeenshire singer, Iona Fyfe, has become one of Scotland’s finest young folk singers, rooted deeply in the singing traditions of the North East of Scotland. She is the youngest ever winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Iona is a fierce advocate for the official recognition of the Scots Language and is a fine exponent of Doric dialect, winning the title of Performer of the Year at the Scots Language Awards in 2020. Iona led a successful campaign to pressure Spotify to recognize Scots and add it to its list of languages.
Platform Statement:
I’m passionate about: – Linguistic equality/representation of minority languages and cultures Eager to learn more about indigenous languages/cultures of all territories that FAI operates within – ensuring minority cultures continue to be fairly represented within the organisation. – Gender equality. Everyone is welcome. Enough said. – Outreach/development of FAI in other territories. Eg – folk/trad student canvassing in the UK.
Sara Leishman was brought up on house concerts and CKUA Radio. Her love of music but dislike of practicing led to her interest in the business of music. With a communications degree and NFP work experience she secured the job of Development Director for the Folk Festival Society of Calgary (Calgary Folk Fest, Festival Hall and Block Heater). For 7 years she obtained sponsorship and donations before becoming the Executive Director in 2017. From 2011-2018 she served on the Board of CKUA Radio and in 2015 successfully completed the Rozsa Arts Management through the Haskayne School of Business.
Platform Statement:
After having served on the Governance, Finance and Development Committees I believe that I can continue to contribute to fortifying FAI’s already strong foundation. I recently took over the role as Chair of the Development Committee and there is work to be done to further FAI’s fund development goals.
Guillermo Subauste
Producer
(Whitby, ON, Canada)
In 20 years of music, Guillermo Subauste has worn many hats. Lead guitar/vocals in a Peruvian PunkRock band, promoter for acts like STOMP and Beyonce and FOH engineer for Grammy-nominated Adammo. A scholarship to the Banff Centre gave him his first taste of Canadian winter. When the 3-month program got extended to 2 years after being hired it led to collaborating with artists like Jane Bunnett and Joni Mitchell. Now in Toronto, Guillermo has engineered, produced, toured and performed with The Sadies, Sarah Harmer, Measha Brueggergosman, The Honeyrunners, Blue Rodeo, Conor Gains, Royal Wood, Good Lovelies and more.
Platform Statement:
I was lucky to be able to attend the last in person FAI in New Orleans before the pandemic and got enamoured with the feeling of community and art. Being from South America, I felt compelled to share these ideas with my peers and try to grow the community even more. I have previous experience as president of the board for Literal Change and I can’t wait to be able to expand my ideas with the Folk Alliance community.
Gerald Torres is a leading figure in critical race theory, environmental law, and federal Indian Law. He previously served as the Bryant Smith Chair in Law at the University of Texas School of Law and taught at The University of Minnesota Law School, where he served as Associate Dean. He is also a former president of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). Torres has served as deputy assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and as counsel to former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno. He is an avid Blues-man.
Platform Statement:
Service on the board has been profoundly important to me. Coming as it did amid a global pandemic that was devasting for the music community, I have tried to work with musicians to think through solutions. I believe that the arts and especially music are crucial to defining us as a community and culture. My work with the International Indigenous Music Summit has only underlined that belief. FAI is an important connector in folk music. I would like to help.