Found below are the statements for the candidates for the 2021-2022 election. They are listed in alphabetical order. Online voting is open and will remain open through 5:30 PM MST on Nov 29th. There will be no in-person voting due to COVID-19.
Alison Watt
I’ve been a member of FolkMAD’s for over 20 years and currently serve on the FolkMAD’s Board of Directors and volunteer as the Registrar for the FolkMADness Dance Camp. FolkMAD’s brings such joy to so many people through the music and dance events we sponsor each year. I am proud to donate my time to supporting FolkMAD’s, and would like to continue to serve on the Board of Directors for a second term as we recover from our pandemic, and once again get to enjoy dancing together.
Sincerely,
Alison Watt
Bruce Thomson
Bruce Thomson (aka Toby Adobe) has been playing for dances since before FolkMADS was formed way back in the late Pleistocene epoch. Bruce mostly plays fiddle with the Adobe Brothers (What A Band!) but has also played in Celtic, Irish, swing bands, and others. He’s organized concerts, offered workshops, and has been the nominal leader of the Albuquerque Megaband (if such a group can actually be led) for at least 10 years. His compilation of over 400 transcribed tunes titled “Duke City Tunes” is widely circulated among traditional musicians in NM and beyond. He’s served several terms on the FolkMADS board over the years and has been on the board continuously since 2016.
Caitlin Bannan
I would like to apply to be a part of the FolkMADS board of directors. I am excited about maintaining and evolving our traditions so that our communities can be as welcoming to all dancers and musicians. Before moving to Santa Fe in summer 2019, I was an organizer of the first monthly gender free contra dance in Los Angeles. I’m especially passionate about recruiting and retaining younger members including training the next generation of musicians, callers, and organizers. Recently, I have taken over organizing Boo Camp and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to get more involved in the FolkMADS organization.
Mirinisa Stewart-Tengco
Hi! I’m Mirinisa and you may know me as a member of the bands The Parson Sisters and Rusty Tap, a dancer, and a sound tech. As a previous Board member and participant at events I’ve found a community like nowhere else and, quite sincerely, I would like to continue being a part of and giving back to it in the ways that I can. My experience in my roles at FolkMADS, plus my four years on the Board of another well-established dance group (Southwest International Folk Dance Institute), give me the necessary broad perspective into how an organization like ours can most sustainably and relevantly exist to be enjoyed by those that comprise us, and the generations to come. I look forward to another two years of serving our wonderful community!
Russell Berman
I’d like to help get more people coming to dances and explore new marketing strategies. I would love to see more younger people coming to the dances as well. I have now served as Vice President and Secretary on the board and am willing to continue to serve. As a sound person for the dances, I feel I bring a unique perspective.