Chair of the Board & Build Team Lead

Oh hey! I didn't see you come in there.

As Chair of The GentleFolk, I keep our teams connected, our meetings moving, and everyone pulling in the same general direction. I see myself as something of a glue person for The GentleFolk: a go-between when teams need to connect, an emotional buffer when things get a little stressful, and a hype man when everyone needs a reminder that we're doing something really cool.

My other hat is Build Team Lead - from our Shipwreck'd boat installation, our UFO stage, our Red Carpet stage backdrop, our Saloon, and a ton of behind the scenes physical labor. These days, my focus is less on building every piece myself and more on getting the right crew together, organizing the work, and turning ambitious ideas into things we can actually stand inside of.

When the event actually starts, I’m usually somewhere between the dance floor or behind the scenes, jumping in wherever I can help.

Vice Chair of the Board & Volunteer Coordinator

Hello, my name is Erin Schroeder and I have been working with The GentleFolk since it's conception. My role was small until I finished my RNBN in 2020 and was able to take on more responsibility. Now I am working as part of the Board and as Volunteer Coordinator.

Every year I learn new things and work through new challenges and ideas. The role is exciting and rewarding as we get to create space for the immaculate community that surrounds us.

In my spare time I enjoy being with my friends and doing small art projects like crochet or miniatures. I enjoy large projects like painting and decorating my home.

I also have two cats and they are the BEST boys and NO you’re wrong my cats are definitely better than yours.

President of the Board & Marketing & Media Team Lead

Throughout the year I handle the design and marketing for all of our events. Things like our merchandise, logos, posters, etc. Being the channel for all these wonderful creative people beside me is truly a blessing. I work closely with a few members of our team bringing imagery and imagination to life for everyone to enjoy. We are never short on creative ideas and it is wonderful to have this community to share it with.

Secretary of the Board & member of Media and Beautification Teams

I have always had an appreciation for music and art and have wanted to be a part of creating and/or facilitating it my entire life.

I have been in many roles within the GentleFolk, but primarily have assisted with our Beautification team and as Secretary of the Board, which made me a larger part decision making, organizing, and note-taking.

I believe that supporting the arts is an essential part to community building and self-expression that brings diverse groups of people together.

Outside of The GentleFolk operations, I work as a nurse for the WRHA.

Treasurer of the Board & Cat Herder

“Mel, do we have budget for this?”

Upon obtaining my CPA designation, I never imagined I would have a bookkeeping file with “Pirate Ship” and “UFO” expenses, but here I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I oversee GentleFolk finances, budgeting, banking, legal, insurance, paperwork (I love paperwork), and all the other formal business of the organization. Can I edit that for you? Do we need a new spreadsheet to analyze our options? Let’s pencil in a meeting for us to circle back to this action item!

In addition, I typically herd the cats (admins) and inspire teams to work together to create incredible experiences for the community.

SaferFolk - Safer Space Coordinator/Lead

Howdy! My name’s Anna (she/they) and I am The GentleFolk's Safer Space and Harm Reduction Coordinator and founder of SaferFolk, a local festival and event harm reduction initiative. My role is to empower our pals to stay safe and be well while enjoying and expressing themselves as they so choose. I’m absolutely in love with this community of gentle folks who party hard, love harder, and most importantly, are always excellent to one another. While it’s no small job, y’all make it pretty easy!

During festivals you can find me in the SaferFolk tent being a Cool Mom (not a regular Mom), ripping up the dance floor, or cruising my bike on one of my infinite side-quests. Year-round I am always down to chat about any questions or concerns about safety, wellness, and inclusion. Feel free to hit me up any time!

Noise Maker and Jack of All Trades

Greeting ghouls and goblins, Cameron Hoeppner here!

Colloquially known as NKD/HPY, I am most commonly recognized as the resident DJ and EDM taste maker within The GentleFolk. I help out wherever I can though, and have been known to assist the Build Team, to lend a hand to land labour, and even help with stage set up and tear down.

Outside The GentleFolk, I work in the trades as an HVAC technician, making sure many Manitobans are comfortable and safe in their homes from the wild elements our prairies have to offer. This is a fairly new change for me after deciding in 2022 that working as a pharmacy technician was no longer for me! It has been an excellent adjustment to my career path and I am excited to see what the future continues to bring.

In my free time I enjoy consuming entertainment of all varieties, but particularly enjoy gaming with friends. Whether it be board games, card games, or video games, I am always interested as long as we get to be in the same room so we can yell obscenities at each other in good humour.

As The GentleFolk continue to grow and age, my responsibilities continue to change and update! I am excited to see what the future brings as my focus has started to turn to cultivating late night spaces at the festival with the intention of bringing folks together into large collaborative musical experiences.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the dancefloor!

Creative Director / Stage Manager

I am enthralled by all things music - the full stack from writing and composition to live performance, and every step along the way. I long for purposeful toil and to solve the puzzles that creativity presents to us.

My first time at GentleFest in 2023 was jaw dropping. I went with one friend and I was welcomed with open arms as a volunteer band marshal, directing traffic on a bike. To suddenly realize we had so much talent right here at home and I could play my part in it changed my life. After talking with folks on the Board, I saw there was plenty I could learn both on stage and behind the scenes.

The rest was fate. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by warm compassionate people with shared goals of making our own backyard a better place, one festival goer at a time!

Outside of the fest, I work full time as a sound technician in theatre and live music. I love the shivers from a perfectly dialled in mix, the opportunities for personal growth presented to me, and how easy it is to sleep after a glorious day of hard work.

Pick my brain about all things production, creative direction, and music industry survival. I want to support the long term success of your project and share the knowledge and tools we need to make it a reality.

Entertainment Curation/Stage Management/Artist Communication

I hate silence. I am nearly always listening to music, searching for new songs whenever possible, making playlists and investigating as many different styles as I can.

What I do for The GentleFolk during the year hinges on being to at least a few shows around town every week of the year in order to curate the tastiest lineup I can for our events.

In preparation of the festival I keep busy doing all the email and social media communication with bands, performers and stage personnel, gathering technical requirements for the performance and scheduling each day's entertainment. During the fest I manage the stage, and do my best to ensure we stay on schedule.

Photographer and Tree Guy

Hello! My name is Drew Evans. I’m the lead photographer for The GentleFolk and have had the opportunity to photograph many of our events over the years. What started as a simple hobby of taking photos of my friends slowly grew into something much more meaningful. I discovered a passion for capturing the moments, experiences, and emotions that make life worth remembering.

Outside of photography, I’m an ISA and TRAQ-certified arborist with a deep love for trees and the environment. From planting and nurturing trees through their growth to safely removing potentially hazardous trees, I’ve always enjoyed working with and caring for the natural world. Simply put, I’m your tree guy!

Alongside both roles as photographer and arborist, I am also on the Build Team. Being able to contribute not only behind the camera but also through building and creating the spaces where our community gathers is something I really value.

My goal as part of the GentleFolk team is simple: to help create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where everyone can come together, be themselves, make memories, and feel like they belong. And, of course, while you’re making those memories, I’ll be somewhere nearby ready to capture a few of them for you to take home and keep for years to come.

Mr. Stuff and Things

Hello, my name is Ezra Nickel.

Working with The GentleFolk from the start has given me a beautiful adventure - watching the community and organization grow and grow into a place where people can't wait to be.

Throughout the year I help with vendors, merch, and anything else that needs an extra pair of hands.

Outside of The GentleFolk, you can find me flying high doing aerial or heating things up performing with The Flame Syndicate; sometimes you might even see both at our little slice of summer, GentleFest.

Beautification & Workshops

Ideas for creativity and fixing problems are my game, and I’m very good at games. Running workshops or complaining about nothing are my other pastimes. My name is MaDi and I have been kidnappedinvited to join this crew of merry people. You can find me lazing about; sleeping, drawing in a sketch pad, or by a fire listing to jams.

I joke I am one of the roughfolks because I may look tired, and grumpy, and I may sound like it too, but I am so excited to be a part of this collaboration of music, arts, and togetherness with all these amazing GentleFolk.

I am quite new compared to the rest (joining in 2026), but I am very grateful to be part of The GentleFolks and calling myself one too. I look forward to all the festivals I get to now be a part of. If you see me in the wild, please say hi! I don’t bite…hard.

Build Team

Spending too much time in the 3d pipe screensaver really makes you appreciate hanging around a field with all your friends.

Build team, transport, setup/tear down, endless toil.

Build Team

Michael established a reputation for meat-based subsistence for both himself and others at music festivals around Manitoba, with some knowing him only as 'Sausage Mike'.

Not content with full stomachs, he used his electrician skills to bring light to the GentleFolk’s endeavors.

Whether sweating with a frying pan, trenching with a shovel, or gulping dark beers, Michael brings a steadfast joy to any occasion.

Build Team

I have been attending festivals and performing as a rapper since 2012. I joined The GentleFolk in 2026 in order to continue to grow and support the local performing arts community and the friends I have made over the years.

I work as an electrician, and my trades experience aides with constructing the infrastructure for the festival grounds and making sure we have power to hear that bass drop.

Beatification & Marketing and Media

Hi there, I'm Nikki.

I've been an avid GentleFest attendee for the past five years, happily convincing friends to join me at every GentleFest. In 2026, I got to take on the exciting change of joining the GentleFest Admin. I am part of the Beautification and Media Teams, working on creating a beautiful experience for us all at the festival and helping answer your questions online when you reach out to us.

I can't wait to watch GentleFest continue to grow and help with orchestrating all of the exciting ideas that keep this festival the magical experience we've all been enjoying for years.

Volunteer Coordinator, General Tasks

Hey, I'm Rick. I've been a part of this amazing chaos for a while. One of my main roles has been organizing volunteers to keep this going. Previous years I have been zipping around on my bike getting things fixed or checking up on the gate. I enjoy helping to get the land ready and making the fest a space where all can express themselves freely and safely.

When not managing people I am usually up at the front of the stage enjoying the music or late night jamming with friends by the fire.

Gentle Executive of Community Comfort Operations or GECCO

Robin is a CPR and AED certified Registered Massage Therapist who assists on the Volunteer and Beauty teams.

Special interests in costuming, hospitality, guest, staff, and performer comfort.

Past-Secretary: 2023 -2025
Volunteering: 2020-Present

Beautification Team Lead

I went to GentleFest 2020 as an attendee wanting to support my friends, secured a volunteer position for GentleFest 2021, and then decided I wanted to be more involved and joined the admin team soon after that festival. My goal is to make our events look beautiful and feel special! Team Beautification's main project last year was creating a comfortable place to gather, known as the Gentle Temple. I also had a solo project creating a few smaller UFOs to decorate the grounds, you may have seen one next to the 'tweener stage! I'm a wastewater collection system maintenance technician, which isnt the most glamorous job, so I really appreciate having this creative space to flourish. I have a lot of ideas for this year's festival and can't wait to create an enchanted experience for our guests!