Meet the Festival’s Summer Students Who Are Helping to Bring the 2024 Festival to Life
As the 2024 Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival fast approaches, we are thrilled to welcome three summer students to our team. Meet Stephanie, our returning Special Events Coordinator, Lida, our Volunteer Coordinator, and Ben, our Operations Coordinator!
We are thankful to the Canada Summer Jobs Program for supporting these pivotal positions, and we know that Stepanie, Lida and Ben's skills and experience will bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to these important roles.
"Employing summer students supports the festival's operational needs, educational mission, and community engagement goals," says the Festival's Executive Director and Co-Founder, Karen Zukas. "Summer students provide valuable support in planning and producing the Festival and helping with the immense workload leading up to and during the Festival. They boost our capacity to deliver a high-quality event that attendees and our community have come to expect."
Summer students team up with a host of professionals and volunteers, providing opportunities to be mentored and to work as part of a team.
Meet Special Events Coordinator Stephanie!
Stephanie, a third year Biology major at the University of the Fraser Valley is no stranger to the Festival's ins and outs. Last summer, she coordinated our special events including the Kidz Zone, Art Zone, Community Big Band concert and more!
“I’m returning because I love being able to see people come together and express themselves through music and art, as well as the happy faces I get to see from people enjoying the Festival,” says Stephanie.
Her role involves a lot of collaboration with staff, volunteers and sponsors to ensure that events and activities go off without a hitch.
"I found that I was most useful when helping the artists, activities, food truck set up, helping and directing volunteers, and assisting the event coordinators," says Stephanie about her experience last year.
Other aspects of the role include preparing project plans, schedules, and event materials; liaising with and coordinating sponsor participation; providing direction and supporting volunteers at event sites.
Meet Volunteer Coordinator Lida!
"The moment I saw the job posting for the festival, I knew it was the only job I wanted for the summer," says Lida. "The position will allow me to combine my love for my hometown, jazz, and working with people, and I'm so glad I have the opportunity to take part in putting on an event that brings the community together through jazz!"
Lida is a recent UBC Sauder Bachelor of Commerce graduate. She’s also been a music teacher for seven years, guiding musicians in honing their skills in playing the ukulele, piano, guitar and bass. Her personable teaching attitude, combined with her experience in administration, make her the perfect fit for recruiting and communicating with volunteers, drafting detailed volunteer schedules, and collaborating with the Festival's organizing committee, among other tasks.
"As a jazz musician, I am looking forward to connecting with people who are passionate about jazz, like myself," she says. "I hope to come out of the summer with happy and lasting memories, friendships and experiences that were made throughout the planning and execution of this festival!"
Meet Operations Coordinator Ben!
"I heard about the Operations Coordinator position through a friend and knew I had to apply,” says Ben. “The Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival's values of community and collaboration are important to me in a workplace. I look forward to applying my skills and experience to help the festival run smoothly."
Not only is Ben pursuing a business degree in operations and logistics at UBC, but his volunteer and professional experience make him perfect for the position of Operations Coordinator. He currently works in marketing, executing and perfecting campaigns by compiling and analyzing data. On weekends, he volunteers at his local church, and has had a leadership position in the youth group for the last six years, where he collaborates with teammates to bring weekly events to 20+ teenagers.
“These events are dynamic and require frequent on-the-fly changes, strong leadership, and communication skills, both for leading the attending teenagers and working synergistically with other volunteers and staff,” says Ben. “I find the analytical side of operations fascinating and have a passion for portraying information to people in easily understandable ways.”
His new role will involve preparing permits, site maps and other materials; researching and sourcing materials and quotes from suppliers for services and materials; preparing and coordinating signage; and assisting the Operations Manager in communicating with site vendors.
The Festival's merge of music, art, culture, workshops, and events could only be accomplished with the dedication of people like Stephanie, Lida and Ben. "Together, we create a supportive and appreciative space for artists to collaborate and perform and a welcoming space for audience members of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the performances, the art, the Festival, the Village, and so much more," says Karen.
If you love music, culture, art, community, and fun, and would love to connect with like-minded people at the 2024 Festival, learn more about our volunteering and sponsorship opportunities.