Board of Directors and Advisory Council

2023 Board of Directors

Beth Atkinson, President

Bio-statistician, Mayo Clinic

Steve Pike, Vice President

Retired Madison teacher and past MTI President, currently a WEA Member Benefits Consultant; dance caller and coordinator of Squirrel Moon Contra Dance Weekend

Tamara Funk, Treasurer 

Curator of Interpretation and Collections, Wisconsin Historical Society

Jason Busniewski

PhD candidate in ethnomusicology

Matt Hayden

Retired businessman; Executive Coaching Consultant, former board member/chair of eight environmental NGO’s.

John Parejko

Research scientist at the University of Washington, working in the Data Management/Alerts Pipeline.

John C. Van Orman

Musician, instructor of Cultural Anthropology, Ozarka College, Folklore Village Folk School instructor and Children’s School Program music instructor. 

Advisory Council

We are fortunate to have the following individuals who have agreed to serve in an advisory capacity to the FV board and staff.

Paul Dahlin

1996 National Heritage Fellow, Paul Dahlin is a Swedish American fiddler from Minnesota, who carries the traditions his grandfather, Edwin Johnson brought from Dalarna Sweden in 1924. Paul has been performing since he 17, when he, his grandfather, and his Uncle Bruce performed at the Snoose Blvd. Festival in 1971. Paul and his family have been yearly performers/instructors during our Fall Swedish Weekend for over 40 years.  Paul’s self-stated focus is upon authenticity and tradition.

Adam Helt-Baldwin

Former President, Folklore Village Board of Directors; Construction Director, Dane County Habitat for Humanity. Adam also serves on our Infrastructure Committee.

Karen Ann Hoffman

2020 NEA National Heritage Fellow Karen Ann Hoffman is a Haudenosaunee Raised Beadworker from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Karen has been beading peace, beauty, and meaning through her Haudenosaunee Raised Beadwork since the 1990s. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Field Museum, the Iroquois Indian Museum, and the Oneida Nation Museum.

Maria Terres

Former president, Folklore Village board of directors; musician, educator.   

James “Sandy” Wilson

Retired from 40 years in the Building Restoration Business in Chicago, Sandy holds a special interest in the Aslak Lie House.