Find your Folk at Folk Army.
At Folk Army, students of all ages gain and develop the skills they need to be supportive leaders, active local icons, and confident, passionate musicians.
Welcome, new recruits, to Folk Army — a brigade of singers, songwriters, and musicians taking their local communities by storm! Folk Army is a Stratford, Ontario-based program centred around community engagement and awareness through singing, instruments, and teamwork that strives to forge powerful relationships between music-lovers of all ages.
Students of Folk Army will learn courage, empathy, cooperation, and musical ability from each other, their mentors, and Stratford’s own Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Dayna Manning, and will refine and develop each member’s abilities in a comforting, collaborative environment.
During their time in Folk Army’s platoon, students are incentivized through community involvement, compassion, and development of their musical abilities. Above all else, Folk Army is about having fun, building connections, and strengthening the confidence of each and every member alongside music, lifelong friends, and wise, passionate leaders.
Surrender to the song and become a Folk Army cadet today!
Daycamp
Folk Army Troopers
Hayley Kuepfer, 12
Guitarist, Mentor, Performer, Class Rep
Being the smallest girl in her class hasn’t slowed Hayley down — she’s an accomplished public performer and the creator of the classic Folk Army tunes “I Love Tacos” and “Camouflage Kitty”. Folk Army has helped Hailey strengthen her bravery, develop her guitar skills, and put on a rocking performance at the Folk Army recital.
MadeNell McIntosh, 10
Ukulelist, Guitarist, Performer — As Featured on TVO Kids Backyard Beats
One of Folk Army’s boldest members, MadeNell has made a name for herself in her solo, duet, and group performances with Folk Army. Whether it be onstage, onscreen, or with family, MadeNell makes use of her charming presence and bravery to bring Folk Army’s message of friendship, togetherness, and musical ambition to her community.
Lauren Neilson, 15
Musician, Songwriter, Mentor, Performer
You might see Lauren onstage at some of Ontario’s most popular venues — she’s performed a mixture of covers and originally-written songs at the Stratford Festival, Stratford Art Gallery, and London, Ontario’s Grand Theatre, among others. Lauren is extremely passionate about the connections music can build, and loves teaching guitar to her fellow recruits.