Kristyn Gelfand, Managing Director

Kristyn is a Toronto based, self-taught producer and arts administrator with over two decades of experience creating spaces for music and expression. From her early start in the vibrant techno scene of the late 90s, she has sought to create fun, liminal, and meaningful events, bringing audiences together to enjoy music from around the globe. She has worked as administrator and bookkeeper at Toronto’s iconic Lula Lounge from 2015 to 2020. Since 2012, she has worked with Uma Nota Culture in a variety of roles, including her ongoing role as marketing and managing director. She brings many years of organizational understanding to Uma Nota. She is a hobby musician, manages a Toronto community drum troupe, and is passionate about growing the role of women in the music industry.

Amanda Gutiérrez Gomes, Producer

Amanda Gutiérrez Gomes is a Cuban / Brazilian independent Filmmaker and Multimedia Producer who holds a Bachelor's degree in Media and Film Studies from Senac University in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her work as a Producer involves projects within multiple practices including features and short films, documentaries, series and multi-media installations. Galleria Presidente, her first short-film as a Director, was exhibited in more than twenty-five festivals and won the “People's Choice Award” at São Paulo International Short Film Festival. She wrote the documentary Smile, You’re on Camera, winner of the “Best Direction Award at RECine. In 2020, she developed a research about digital access in Cuba, as one of the participants of the Virtual Grounds program (promoted by Trinity Square Video and Digital Justice Lab).

Winnie Bower, Artist Liaison and Producer

Originally from the east coast of Canada, Winnie has spent the last 9 years establishing herself in the Toronto arts scene as an events programmer and DJ. Starting with a background in social work that naturally led to the involvement of community and public arts organizations, Winnie is now positioned as a producer with Uma Nota. Additionally she is the Toronto lead for “Sofar Sounds”; founder of “Nomada Project'', a fusion event of live and electronic music, and a core collaborator of local DJ collective “Lossless”. Since finding a passion for DJ-ing and playing her first gig in 2018 with Uma Nota, she has played multiple venues and festivals around Ontario. Instilled with a passion for hosting events that build bridges across genres and curate diverse musical journeys, Winnie aims to be a positive and motivating force within the community arts and festival scene.

Camila Bellido, Marketing Coordinator

Peruvian born/Montreal raised/Toronto based, Camila knows what it’s like to adapt in multiple industries. Her Spotify wrapped said her top music moods were energy and bold and that is how we would describe her overall aura too.

Previously, she managed digital advertising campaigns at Wavo, a music marketing agency in Montreal, developing and implementing noteworthy campaign strategies for major music labels like Warner Records, Warner Music Canada, and Atlantic Records. Most recently, she was routing tours for Canadian artists at Blue Crane, a female-run music booking agency in Toronto, seeking to prioritize women, artists of colour, and 2SLGBTQ+ musicians in North America.

Anah Shabbar, Community Consultant

Anah is a cultural producer and consultant based in Southern Ontario with over ten years of experience working with a wide array of organizations. Her work is shaped by her love for social justice, and organizational and community development, as well as her passion for curating one time experiences with artists, audiences, and communities in mind.

She has been the driving force behind many youth and artist- led groups throughout Canada. Some projects include former arts collective: Greenbelt Arts, a national advocacy program: Youth4Music through the Coalition for Music Education in Canada and more than ten interdisciplinary festivals. Some festivals include: In the Soil Arts Festival, Celebration of Nations, Do West Fest, Geary Art Crawl, Lulaworld Records Festival, NXNE and aluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival.

Darren Leu, Operations Manager

Darren Christopher Leu is a Toronto based arts fabricator, facilitator and community coordinator. After finishing his BFA at OCADU, Darren aimed to build a community to provide opportunities to his peers; creating events celebrating the arts from diverse cultures. Since 2010, he has developed DIY art spaces and events, fostering a vast network among production studios, venues, neighbourhood groups, BIA's and non-profits. He is the Festival Director of BIG on Bloor, a street event between Dufferin to Lansdowne along the Bloor corridor which has attracted over 100,000 visitors to its summer weekend event. His entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in accounting, business development and construction has kept him busy with many self-started ventures, including All Our Studios, a shared artist studio, gallery and retrofitted containers on Geary Avenue, Trivia Escape Rooms, a unique adventure game inviting players to problem-solve within immersive environments and DCP, a fabrication collective creating outdoor installations focused on public participation and conversations. Recently, he has also been involved in curatoring and producing events for the Long Winter Festival, Geary Art Crawl and ArtworxTO.

Vasilios Cranis, Concessions Manager and Producer

Vasilios is an event production and hospitality veteran. As General Manager of Lula Lounge for fifteen years, he was responsible for all aspects of running the live music venue, bar and restaurant, from contracts, sponsorships, human resources and workflow management in a busy environment. He is currently co-owner of Toronto underground music venue BSMT 254, a space where quality sound is their hallmark, and all genres are welcome. He is also a DJ and a sound system specialist as part of the Higher Heights HiFi.

Ulysses De Paula, Artistic Associate

Ulysses was born in the crib of classic samba in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Music has become his greatest passion and since 2000 has been working within the music industry: radios, events, tours, showcases and events in Brazil and abroad. In 2012, Ulysses became the Executive Director of SHOWZAÇO – A&R, Booking, Career and Tour Management company with offices located in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and now in Toronto. In Portuguese “Showzaço” means great concerts, new experiences! And that’s the company’s mission by providing business strategy expertise, developing music media, concerts, festivals, digital distribution to international music platforms and career management. He also works as a partner for QUAE Music Agency (CD Baby partner) – digital distribution to international music platforms with more than 200 Brazilian artists. Ulysses holds a degree in Communication (Journalism) and MBA in Marketing.

Tasha Shea, Mixto Project and Partnerships Manager

Tasha has an MA from York University where her research focused on using community events to build more economically diverse communities, she is a certified project manager with over ten years experience working on events and festivals in Ontario (including Way Home, Field Trip, Taste of Toronto, The Stop Community Food Centre's Night Market). She is currently employed by the City of Brampton as the Coordinator of Markets and Culinary Tourism, where her portfolio includes a weekly Farmers' Market. In 2019 the Farmers' Market saw over 90,000 people in attendance throughout the season, 70 vendors, multiple sponsors, 18 weeks of stage programming, and engagement from 34 community groups. Tasha has a strong track record of delivering successful events.

Alex Bordokas, Founding Artistic Director

Alex is a cultural producer active in Canada and Brazil. An anthropology graduate and Toronto native, he speaks four languages, and over the years has fostered many contacts within the Toronto music presenting community, partnering with and working on contract with various organizations including Lula Music and Arts, Ashkenaz, Luminato, and Small World Music. He is the producer of Dundas West Fest, a community arts festival spanning 14 city blocks in Toronto’s west end, where he handles the development, planning and execution of the festival. He spent three years as an Artistic Associate at Harbourfront Centre, where he was programming lead on several signature festivals including Canada Day, Our Home on Native Land, Island Soul, and Day of the Dead. He has worked programming the Circo Voador in Rio de Janeiro during the UNHABITAT World Urban Forum as well as various stages for the Fête la Musique during the RIO +20 Conference.  

Jonathan Rothman

Jason Sanders

Co-Founder of Uma Nota Culture, Jason Sanders aka General Eclectic is as eclectic as his name implies. With musical influences and selections ranging from house to mpb, General Eclectic is behind some of Toronto’s most successful and critically acclaimed underground music events. As a DJ, event producer and graphic designer, he blends music, art and the intangible into an alluring atmosphere that’s become his signature. His vinyl collection is more than 7,000 records strong and he’s earned a solid reputation over 20+ years in Toronto, where he’s produced and created memorable custom designs for events ranging from the underground hip-hop and soul weekly Red Beet Lounge to the massively popular Footprints parties. Whether on the dance floor or the drafting board, General Eclectic lights up the ears, eyes and minds of those around him with his unique skills.

Danae Peart

Danae Peart is a boundary-busting community broadcaster and the former CEO of CHRY 105.5FM, also known as Vibe. Her goal is to remain flexible so she can consistently shift and respond positively to global, economic and social changes. In 2015 she gave a TEDx Talk. 

Particio Martinez

Patricio ‘Pato Irie’ Martinez was born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and honed his skills and developed his musical stylings while living in and playing in the birthplace of samba reggae. In 1997 Pato moved to Chile, where he shared his knowledge of samba reggae for more than 10 years. Today he lives in Toronto, Canada and he is the founder and musical director of the premiere samba reggae band in Canada, TDot Batu.

Claudia Balladelli

With 18 years of experience in the music industry booking acts and staging events, she has developed a large network of contacts including journalists, bloggers, radio hosts, artists, agents, external promoters and record labels. Born and raised in Brazil and fluent in both English and Portuguese, the bulk of her work and engagements reflect her commitment to cultural diversity and her sincere passion for artistically driven music. She works with Mercury Lounge as Music Programmer and Event Producer and with Eiden Music Agency as North American Booking Agent, as well as being co-founder and co-artistic director of Axe World Fest.

Ricardo Rodrigues

Ricardo Rodrigues is a Radio and Cultural Producer living and working in Sao Carlos, Brazil. He graduated from the Image and Sound at the Federal University of São Carlos. He is the General Director of the Festival CONTATO since 2007 and founder of Let's GIG, Booking & Music Services, where he acts as manager and agent of artists like Liniker e os Caramelows, Luedji Luna, Mel, Davi Sabbag, ATR, Giovani Cidreira, Luê, Pedro Salomão, Tuyo and Amanda Magalhães. Also member of the Consulting Board of São Paulo Internacional Music Week - SIM São Paulo. He was Director of UFSCar Radio from 2007 to 2014 and Vice-President of the Association of Public Radios of Brazil - ARPUB (2013/14). As cultural agent he was also Counselor for Music and President of the Municipal Council of Culture of São Carlos (2008/11). As entrepreneur was owner and programmer at the music venue GIG also in São Carlos (2013/18).

Rhéanne Chartrand

Rhéanne Chartrand is the Curator of Indigenous Art at McMaster Museum of Art (MMA). She holds a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. A Métis curator based between Hamilton and Toronto, Chartrand has over ten years of experience curating interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary exhibitions, showcases, and festivals. She recently completed three major exhibitions: NIIPA 20/20 (2022); what sustains us, co-curated with asinnajaq (2022); and we are made of stardust (2022) and curated the 2022 Official Selection for imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. Broadly, her curatorial work focuses on the praxis of survivance, Indigenous epistemes, relational aesthetics, representational politics, and gratitude.  Parallel to her curatorial work, Chartrand serves as a sessional lecturer at McMaster University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the University of Toronto. Chartrand is a co-founder of the Shushkitew Collective, an equity-seeking and advocacy group organizing on behalf of Métis artists and arts workers to increase Métis representation, capacity, and flourishing within the Canadian arts milieu. Previously, she served as a board member and Secretary with the Indigenous Curatorial Collective from 2018–2022. Métis on her father’s side and of settler ancestry on her mother’s side, she is an eligible citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Her paternal family names are Chartrand and Gervais.

Said Yassin

As a founding member of Toronto’s DIY charitable party institution, Dudebox and It's Ok* a multi genre intimate concert series, Said has over a decade of experience throwing memorable parties and concerts in unconventional spaces. Dudebox and It's Ok* have received press in BlogTO, The Toronto Star, NOW Magazine, Thinkhouse and Toronto Life. He’s also worked with Manifesto, Small World Music, The Aga Khan Museum and provided programming for venues across the city.

Marcus Freitas

Marcus Freitas (Dj Mks) is one half the « Tupi Collective », created in August 2012. A Brazilaian born deejay who explores the rhythms of Brazilian music and produces monthly events in Montreal.

Sergio Elmir

Sergio Elmir is an arts manager with over a dozen years of experience working on large and small scale projects for major Arts institutions. In 2017, he worked as a programming supervisor as part of the City of Toronto's Official Canada 150 celebrations, which spanned four days over four different sites. Prior to working for the city, Sergio spent four years as an artistic associate at Harbourfront Centre, working on idea-based, multi-arts, year-round programming. Most recently, Sergio launched Futuro Libre Creative Agency which uses a social enterprise model, built on the framework of fair compensation, safe spaces, mentorship and allyship to support artists and audiences that identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in both creative and business ventures. In 2019, Elmir was selected to the ISPA Fellowship Program, Folk Alliance Business Accelerator Program, Manitoba Music's Passport Music Program and the TAC Cultural Leaders Lab. Elmir has also been invited to Guest Lecture at Berklee Global Entertainment and Music Business Masters Program. In 2020, Elmir continues to expand his portfolio by developing International market development in Latin America - consulting for the Indigenous Music Alliance, the International Indigenous Music Summit, the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance and a number of artist management companies. 

Ian Alexander

Sona Kalra

Carla Melo

David Fine

Not pictured:

Asif Quadir