Northern Lights Festival Boréal is welcoming Kerri Stephens as its new artistic director, describing her as “a music lover, curator and community builder with over 18 years of experience connecting people through the power of music.”
Stephens brings a wealth of expertise in music programming, artist development, export initiatives, and community building. Her extensive background includes nearly a decade with Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre, where she played a key role in shaping diverse, high-calibre programming that celebrated both emerging and established talent.
She also leads the Manitoba chapter of Women in Music Canada, spent the last three years as a part of the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s artistic team and ran their Young Performers Program, and continues to mentor musicians and support international collaborations and initiative development with Enki Music (UK).
In 2022, Stephens founded Lost Cat Artists, an artist management and development company representing a dynamic roster including The Secret Beach (2025 AAA Juno nominee), Leaf Rapids (2025 WCMA winner), Supalung (UK), Petunia & The Vipers, JP Hoe, and Hendrika.
Alongside this work, she has taken on contracts through Breakout West, Manitoba Music, Creative Manitoba and Folk Music Ontario and her work has taken her to many international conferences & festivals as a part of music industry delegations.
“As NLFB gears up for its 2026 festival season, people can look forward to fresh energy, diverse sounds, and a lineup curated with heart,” said a press release. “Expect a festival that feels both familiar and brand new, grounded in Northern Ontario spirit, but wide open to the world.”