ALBERTA MUSIC WELCOMES INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alberta Music staff and board are excited to welcome Kami Van Halst to the team as Interim Executive Director starting April 1, 2025! Kami will be filling a 12-month contract as our current Executive Director, Carly Klassen, is away on maternity leave starting April 7, 2025. We wish Carly all the best for a healthy and restful maternity leave.

Kami Van Halst has been working in the music and media industries for over 15 years. She brings extensive experience in leadership, marketing, advocacy, programming, and non-profit management which will serve to advance Alberta Music’s mission to foster the excellence of Alberta artists and the Alberta music industry.

Most recently, Kami served as the Executive Director of Country Music Alberta, where she successfully led strategic initiatives, expanded industry partnerships, and managed operational oversight to support the growth and sustainability of the province’s country music scene, elevating Alberta’s presence in the national and international music landscapes.

Kami is also the founder and owner of The Grant Slayer, a grant-writing consultancy that has helped artists and organizations across Canada access critical funding. Through this work, she has secured substantial financial support for musicians, venues, and industry professionals, allowing them to advance their careers and creative projects.

Prior to Country Music Alberta, Kami was the Marketing & Entertainment Director at Shadow Vista Productions, the Marketing & Brand Strategist for the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, and the Engagement & Communications Coordinator at the Youth Advocacy Training Institute.

In addition to her professional experience, Kami is a hard rock artist and current performer with Classic Albums Live, known for her powerhouse vocals and stage presence — often described by industry peers as the “Heavy Metal Lady Gaga.” While she collaborates with producers to bring her musical vision to life, her roots as a songwriter and performer remain central to her identity in the industry.

Kami holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Music from the University of Alberta, a diploma in Music Business from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, and is currently completing a Master’s in Communications & Technology Management at the University of Alberta.

Kami is excited to join Alberta Music to lead the organization over the next year toward its vision of creating a diverse, informed and connected Alberta music industry.

You can reach Kami at kami@albertamusic.org