Musician, singer-songwriter and teacher Jackie Kroczynski is known as Jackie K. (Submitted photo/Mark Kotchorek)

By Angela Brown

Inaugural Folk Conference

Local artist Jackie K to take part in music conference in Ireland

Dec 22, 2022 | 3:47 PM

It will be an exciting adventure for Battlefords area singer-songwriter Jackie Kroczynski who has been invited to take part in an upcoming international music conference in Ireland.

Known as Jackie K, she will be among the official showcase artists at the inaugural event called “Your Roots are Showing: Ireland’s Folk Conference,” that runs from Jan. 22 to 26, 2023 in the town of Monaghan.

The relatively new emerging artist, who also teaches music at North Battleford Comprehensive High School, will take part in the event accompanied by her husband, musician Tom, as a duo.

Kroczynski first heard about the conference through SaskMusic .

“I apply for lots of [events] all the time. Then, it came back: ‘Do you want to play as an official showcase [artist] here?” she said, adding she was thrilled to accept the invitation.

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Kroczynski noted the idea behind the event is to feature artists that reflect their home country too, as part of a conference that highlights international folk, roots, and traditional music.

“It’s not like it’s just Irish music, because my music isn’t really Irish at all,” she said. “It is folk music and roots music. [The focus is:] How does your culture connect with your music, is really what it’s about.”

The event will also include music industry representatives from Ireland and around the world. So, it will be an opportunity for Kroczynski to connect with industry leaders, promote her material, and have a chance for more people to hear her music as well.

“It’s an opportunity that fell into my lap,” Kroczynski added. “I’m really lucky.”

She is also getting ready to release her new CD, called “She’s a Story,” in a few months, so the timing of the event couldn’t be better. Kroczynski’s CD, which is about stories of women, will be released on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023.

The conference will also include Irish music sessions in the evenings.

“That’s going to be wonderful, to be able to play in those,” she added.

Several guest speakers will also be on the agenda, so the event will be a learning experience as well.

Kroczynski added, as another bonus, she just found out she was accepted for a Creative Saskatchewan grant to help with costs to attend the event.

She said many arts funders are happy to share the talents of Canadian musicians on an international level, to promote and build up Canadian artists’ careers.

This will also be Kroczynski’s first time visiting Ireland, so she is looking forward to the opportunity, adding that she and her husband also both have Irish roots as well.

“We’re pretty excited,” she said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow