Central to the values of Northwest Folklife is for communities to have voice and agency in the representation of their cultural expressions. More than 150+ Community Coordinators, including prominent artists, educators, culture bearers, and leaders throughout the region work closely with Northwest Folklife throughout the year to collaborate and co-create programs including the Northwest Folklife Festival as well as the annual Cultural Focus and Our Big Neighborhood youth and family program. These relationships are an integral part of our mission and vision. “As the lifeblood of all Northwest Folklife programs, our relationships with Community Coordinators, are the heart and soul of the organization,” says Northwest Folklife Executive Artistic Director, Kelli Faryar.
“Being a Community Coordinator for Northwest Folklife means a lot to me because it gives me an opportunity to make a connection between regional Mexican folk groups and Folklife. It gives every artist involved the opportunity to meet each other and share a stage but most importantly, we get to build new relationships. I have been performing with Folklife with Bailadores de Bronce for about twenty-two years and, as a performer, it is something we always look forward to. Now, I have been able to share experiences and introduce new organizations to the Folklife family.”- from Community Coordinator, Adrian Olivas – Mexican Folklórico Community, Executive Director of Bailadores de Bronce, Alum Cultural Focus Member of Echoes of Aztlan and Beyond.
Northwest Folklife is curated in collaboration with Community Coordinators. Thank you to these amazing leaders!
Izumi Fairbanks
Izumi Fairbanks: Turkish
Izumi Fairbanks grew up in Turkey and Japan, and began studying traditional folk music after moving to the US. She has traveled to Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and New York to study percussion and string instruments (tupan/davul, doli, kemence, gudulka, panduri, baglama) as well as singing and folk dancing.
Jaydeen Keliihoomalu Robinson: Native Hawaiian
Hālau Mission: To preserve and perpetuate the art of Hula through the teachings and styling of Maʻiki Aiu Lake.
John Hayden: Seattle World Percussion Society and friends
As a long-time volunteer for the non-profit Seattle World Rhythm Society, John programs the NW Folklife Rhythm Tent and the First Thursday Drum in Lake City (virtual since Covid.) John is a Village Music Circles certified trainer of facilitated drum circles, teaches a weekly hand drum class (virtual since Covid) and plays original songs for family music classes for ages 2-5. His company Jamtown imports rhythm instruments working directly with low income artisans on 3 continents. Learn more at www.JamtownLive.com
Learn more on his website here.
Joyce Paul Siamak: Socially Conscious Artists Foundation
SCARF was found by Dr. Joyce K Paul to imbue social change through the performing arts. Last year our focus was mental health and this year it is assimilation. Our mission is to create and foster art that brings awareness around social issues to galvanize change.
Learn more on their website here.
Kathy Bruni: International Folk Dance
Kathy is the community coordinator for the international folk dance at Northwest Folklife Festival and a supporting member of the Festival.
She has participated in many forms of folk and social dance, as well as square dance, belly dance, ballroom, vintage dance, Charleston, tap, and flamenco.
In addition to dancing socially, she has performed with the Savoy Swing Club dance troupe, the Seaside Pavilion Historic dance troupe, and Enzian Schuhplattler Bavarian dancers.
Kathy edits the newsletters of Skandia, Northwest Folk Dancers, Inc., the National Folk Organization, and the Seattle Folklore Society, and manages publicity and costuming for Enzian Schuhplattler.
Learn more on her website here.
Khazm Kogita: Hip Hop & Disability
King Khazm is an emcee, producer and community organizer who has become a prominent figure in the Hip-Hop community within Seattle and around the world. His work to engage and empower communities is demonstrated through over 25 years of music, art and community service.
King Khazm has performed all around the country and world including the World’s Fair & Expo 2020 (Dubai), The IBE (Netherlands), Galpao Aplauso (Brazil), Festival de la Juventud (Guatemala), and Strictly Street (Malaysia), Folklife Festival (Seattle), sharing stages with the likes of Naughty By Nature, Gza, Kurtis Blow, Zion I, Aceyalone and others.
Kitty Wu: Hip Hop
Judi Rafaela Martinez (aka Kitty Wu), is co-director of 206 Zulu, a non-profit organization that utilizes Hip Hop culture as an outlet for community empowerment, education, and social change.
Through her passion for music and arts, Kitty Wu has cultivated a longstanding career in empowering her local community. With over 25+ years in the industry, her knowledge and experience includes producing Northwest Hip-Hop’s beloved television programs Coolout Network and MADK’s Hip Hop 101, as well as managing events with One Reel, Folklife, Vera Project, and Waterfront Park. Currently, Kitty serves as the chair of the City of Seattle Music Commission.
Latha Sambamurti: Indian, Asian, Asia-Pacific
Latha Sambamurti is the producer and Artistic, Outreach and Development Director of several large-scale arts and culture festivals in the State of Washington. She is a Board Member of Northwest Folklife, a Director of Northwest Share, a Redmond Arts and Culture Commissioner, an educator, trained musician, and band leader. She won the Kirkland Performance Center’s You Rock award for community service. She has been a Washington State Arts Commissioner. She serves as a board director for several state and regional cultural organizations. She holds a master’s degree in English Literature.
Learn more on her website here.
Levi Fuller: Jack Straw Cultural Center
Levi has been the Administrative Coordinator at Jack Straw Cultural Center since 2008, overseeing many aspects of their day-to-day operations, including managing their artist residency programs and coordinating showcases and programs with Folklife. He also acts as a teaching artist, writing songs inspired by elementary students’ poetry. Levi has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art, he writes and performs original music, and is the founder and editor of the music compilation series Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly.
