The Bulkley Valley Folk Music Society (BVFMS) is a grass-roots, volunteer driven organization which has supported music and the arts in the Bulkley Valley (BV) since 1984. Our purpose is to promote a greater appreciation for music among the residents of the BV and the northwest region. We aim to provide opportunities for local and regional musicians to perform while exposing resident to diverse musical experiences.
The BVFMS’s core programing includes the Midsummer Music Festival, Guitar Camps (youth and adult), Coffee Houses, and Marshal Boucher Memorial Award. Through these programs we foster musicianship and skill development of musicians, technical support and of our core volunteers.
Executive 2024/2025
President: Ryan Widen
Vice President: Dwayne Allen
Treasurer: Brenda Zantingh
Secretary: Sarah Zantingh
Directors at Large: Monique Wells, Nicole Widen, Demid Rokachev, Sean Sharp
Our Mission
- To promote a greater appreciation of folk music among residents of the Bulkley Valley and the northwestern region of British Columbia.
- To provide opportunities for folk musicians to play for audiences.
- To provide opportunities for residents of the Bulkley Valley to hear folk music and folk musicians from other areas.
- To promote the development of folk music and musicianship in the Bulkley Valley.
Our History
The Bulkley Valley Folk Music Society grew out of an organization called the Styx River Coffee House. A group of dedicated music lovers decided a music festival would be a good idea for the Bulkley Valley and so went to work on forming a non-profit society as well as start the first Midsummer Folk Music Festival. The society was incorporated as a non- profit society in 1984. The Bulkley Valley Folk Music Society joined the Bulkley Valley Community Arts Council in 1985 to blend the services offered by each of the organizations.