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Philadelphia Folksong SocietyPhiladelphia Folksong SocietyPhiladelphia Folksong SocietyPhiladelphia Folksong Society
  • Our
    Organization
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  • PFS Venue
    in Roxborough
    • About our Home
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  • Philadelphia
    Folk School
    • Early Childhood Music Education
    • Youth Instrument Classes
    • Adult Instrument Classes
    • Voice Classes
    • Folk Dance
    • Professional Development Workshops
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    Events
    • Monthly Member Concerts
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    American Music
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    Music Co-op
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  • Philadelphia
    Folk Festival
    • 2019 Philadelphia Folk Fest Tickets
    • 2019 Sponsorship Opportunities
    • 2019 Advertising Opportunities
    • 58th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Performer Application
    • 2018 Artist Lineup
    • 2018 Schedule
    • While You’re Here
    • Philadelphia Folk Festival Book
    • Contact Philadelphia Folk Festival
  • Music
    Getaways
    • Spring Thing
    • Fall Fling
  • Join
    PFS

Our History

The Philadelphia Folksong Society was founded in 1957 by a small group of folk artists and enthusiasts. The organization offers programs of presentation, participation, and education throughout Greater Philadelphia and the nation. These programs present a cultural history of society and provide enjoyment to thousands of people of all ages. The Philadelphia Folksong Society contributes to the preservation of a vast variety of musical styles and historical perspectives. PFS has acquired international recognition and local acclaim through popular programs such as The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Fall Fling, Spring Thing, Cabin Fever Festival and the Heartwood Festival. Seasonal programming of workshops, community service programs, concerts, PFS Presents…, Sings, and the Odyssey of American Music programs serve a diverse range of participants-members in the community, volunteers, artists, students, partner organizations, and PFS members. PFS programs range in scope from a small group of friends singing together, to tens of thousands of patrons gathered for concert presentations. A network of thousands of dedicated volunteers has allowed PFS to execute these programs in an unprecedented way since the organization’s inception over 50 years ago.

The Original Banjo and Sketch for our Smiley Banjo Logo
  • Mission
  • Vision
  • Awards

The Philadelphia Folksong Society (PFS) is dedicated to preserving the past, promoting the present, and securing the future of folk music and related forms of expression through education, presentation, and participation.

Preserving the Past – PFS will preserve artistic expression by offering programs that encourage participation in traditional folk music and educate the public of its history.

Promoting the Present – PFS will be recognized among the vanguard of emerging trendsetters and innovators within folk music. Diverse programs will encourage artistic development and experimentation.

Securing the Future – PFS will acquire a home to ensure the continuation and vitality of roots music and related forms of expression. This facility will be the physical embodiment of the PFS mission, housing rehearsals and classes for students; workspace for staff and volunteers; and concerts, workshops, and archival exhibitions for the public.

PA Festivals Association Award
Philadelphia Museum Foundation’s Best of Philadelphia Music Award
Pennsylvania Resources Council in Achievement and Special Events Recycling
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Arts Management Award
Philadelphia Music Alliance Institutional Award

The PFS Team starts with our Volunteers

They are the Heart & Soul of the Philadelphia Folksong Society

Volunteer for PFS
Volunteer for Fest

PFS Staff

PFS Staff

Justin Nordell

Executive Director
Some of Justin's earliest music memories are of him sitting, legs crossed with eyes wide in wonder, at the feet of the likes of Esther Halpern, Mike Miller, and Jackie Pack. As a young lad in the 80s ...

Jennifer Rajotte

Director of Business Development
Before words, there was music. Growing up across several states and many schools, the steady companionship of Jennifer’s records and cassettes was a constant. After getting her hands on her first ...

Desireé Haney

Operations Manager
Desireé's musical story is a journey that began in a tiny farm town in Upstate, NY. She did not have an upbringing that subjected her to any music, nor one that encouraged the arts in any form. After...

Katie Kresz

Office and Membership Manager
Music has always been a constant in Katie's life. From an early age she could see how music evokes such emotion out of people and thus a passionate love affair had begun. From Katie and her mom singin...

PFS Board of Directors

Connect with the PFS Board via e-mail: contact-bod@pfs.org

Board of Directors

John McGlinchey

President, Board of Directors
John has been attending the Philadelphia Folk Festival continuously since 1983 and as a volunteer since 1997. He is a member of the “Fortissimo” encampment in RV camping. He has served in leader...

Heather Shayne Blakeslee

Vice President, Board of Directors
Heather Shayne Blakeslee believes in empowering people and communities to create a thriving economy and a living future. She has over 20 years of experience as a sustainability, social justice, social...

Dr. Jim Klingler

Treasurer, Board of Directors
Dr. Klingler is a 1968 graduate of Bucknell University where he majored in Economics. After a stint as an officer in the U.S. Navy he enrolled in the graduate program at Temple University and receive...

Patrick Arkins

Co-Secretary, Board of Directors
Throughout his 20+ years, Patrick has collaborated with organizational members and leaders to identify and deliver information technology solutions that solve problems and capture opportunities. For t...

Brenda Hillegas

Co-Secretary, Board of Directors
Brenda has been running around various folk, Irish, and Celtic festivals up and down the east coast for the past fifteen years. Long story short, Friends was a rerun one night so she ended up at a boo...

Katy Bieniosek

Director
Katy has been a PFS member and Philadelphia Folk Festival volunteer since 2009 and now serves as an assistant chair to the Volunteer Food Committee. She serves as a board member of the National So...

Rob Bralow

Director
Rob Bralow has been involved with the Society for a long time. From the days when the Philadelphia Folksong Society held concerts and meetings at the International House, through events at the Germant...

Peter Schechner

Director
Peters' first year volunteering at the Philadelphia Folk Festival was 1979. He has been on the Camping Committee ever since then, filling numerous roles varying from the very bottom of the organizati...

Autumn Walden

Director
Autumn entered the Philadelphia music scene through her connections in the local Grateful Dead tribute band scene as a writer and photographer for Tri State Indie, an online music website. Over a peri...

Festival Leadership Team

Festival Leadership Team

Lisa Schwartz

Festival Director, PFF
Lisa is a vibrant and dynamic individual with a passion for great music and non-profit service. How perfect that she could serve as the President of the Philadelphia Folksong Society for 8 ½ years a...

Andy Braunfeld

Production Director, PFF
Andy is a lawyer who should have paid more attention to learning the guitar during the 1960’s. He has been serving festival management in both legal and music related matters since about 1972. Andy ...

Hank Voigtsberger

Operations Director, PFF
Hank is currently serving as the Operations Director for the Festival Leadership Team. In this capacity, he oversees Security, Groundz, Graphics, Parking, Trash, Rent-A-Cops, and Medical committees a...

Lewis Hipkins

Infrastructure Director, PFF
This will be Lewis Hipkins' 39th year at the Folk Festival, first attending as a ticket buyer in 1979, and then becoming a volunteer for the Security Committee for a year, and finally, finding a home ...

Odyssey of American Music

Odyssey of American Music

Juli Vitello

Odyssey Chair
Juli is a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Folksong Society. She is also the Chair of the Odyssey Music Program for PFS. Established in 1974 Odyssey presents folk and worl...

Ants On A Log

Anya Rose and Julie Beth are the children’s music duo Ants on a Log. Playing “music for children and childlike people,” their spirited harmonies and clever, concise songwriting will tickle the f...

Michelle Miller

Michelle Miller is a singer/songwriter who has appeared all over the Philadelphia area. She has performed at venues such as the Mercer Museum Folkfest, Ambler Octoberfest, Please Touch Museum, The Kes...

Justin Nordell

Executive Director
Some of Justin's earliest music memories are of him sitting, legs crossed with eyes wide in wonder, at the feet of the likes of Esther Halpern, Mike Miller, and Jackie Pack. As a young lad in the 80s ...

Two of a Kind

An award-winning husband-wife duo, Two of a Kind presents concerts for families and children of all ages, including songs, puppets, movement, and stories - all with an emphasis on interaction and part...

Financial Statements

FYE 2017
FYE 2015
FYE 2013
FYE 2016
FYE 2014
FYE 2012

Philadelphia Folksong Society | 6156 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128   (215) 247-1300    © 2017 All Rights Reserved          
  • Our
    Organization
    • PFS History, Mission & Vision
    • PFS Team
    • PFS Online Store
    • PFS Coloring Pages
    • Financial Statements
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact PFS
  • PFS Venue
    in Roxborough
    • About our Home
    • Venue Rentals
  • Philadelphia
    Folk School
    • Early Childhood Music Education
    • Youth Instrument Classes
    • Adult Instrument Classes
    • Voice Classes
    • Folk Dance
    • Professional Development Workshops
  • Concerts &
    Events
    • Monthly Member Concerts
    • House Concerts
  • Odyssey of
    American Music
    • Odyssey Program Request
  • Philadelphia
    Music Co-op
    • Co-op Artists
    • Book Co-op Artists
    • Co-op Guidelines
    • Learn More / Apply
  • Philadelphia
    Folk Festival
    • 2019 Philadelphia Folk Fest Tickets
    • 2019 Sponsorship Opportunities
    • 2019 Advertising Opportunities
    • 58th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Performer Application
    • 2018 Artist Lineup
    • 2018 Schedule
    • While You’re Here
    • Philadelphia Folk Festival Book
    • Contact Philadelphia Folk Festival
  • Music
    Getaways
    • Spring Thing
    • Fall Fling
  • Join
    PFS
Philadelphia Folksong Society