Alberta Music STAFF

 CARLY KLASSEN

Executive Director, Edmonton

Carly Klassen is the Executive Director of Alberta Music Industry Association, having sat in various roles with the organization, including seven years as Program Manager. Since graduating the Arts and Cultural Management program at MacEwan University, Carly has spent her professional life as a tireless advocate for musicians and artists in Alberta on the national and international stage.

Carly currently sits on the board of the Western Canadian Music Alliance, an organization made up of the music industry associations of western and northern provinces, whose primary event is the Breakout West conference and Western Canadian Music Awards. In 2017, she sat on the host committee for Breakout West in Edmonton. In partnership with Breakout West, she has led several international export development missions, bringing artists to markets in Nashville, the UK and throughout Europe.

She currently sits on FACTOR’s National Advisory Board, CCIMA's (Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations) and Canadian Music Incubator's (CMI) Board and is on the Steering Committee for Alberta Music Cities Initiative in partnership with The National Music Centre.

Prior to joining the non-profit sector at Alberta Music, Carly was employed from 2005-2008 at Stony Plain Records, Spirit River Distribution.

Carly recently won, Industry Person of the Year at the 2017 and 2018 Alberta Country Music Awards.

CHRISTINE ROGERSON

Interim Executive Director, Calgary

Christine Rogerson has been working in the music industry in various capacities, professional and volunteer, for nearly twenty years! Most recently, Christine was a Festival Manager for Live Nation Canada and responsible for the management and production of festivals including Chasing Summer, Round Up Music Festival, Oxford Stomp, and Center of Gravity. Prior to Live Nation, Christine managed the national operations for Union Events, Canada’s largest independent concert promoter, and aided the company in achieving key developmental milestones including its expansion to four offices across Canada, enhancing the programming capacity and launch of festival properties, and growing the staff team and operational capacity.

Before Union Events, while working as the Senior Manager of Programming and Venues at the University of Alberta (Students’ Union), Christine ran for and successfully joined the Alberta Music Board of Directors. In this capacity, she served on the Board for eight terms, including three terms as President. She also joined the Board of the Western Canadian Music Alliance and has served for 14 years. Christine has been proud to contribute to many events, sit on committees and focus groups, speak on conference panels, mentor and spend time with emerging artists and industry, consult and assist on grant applications, and generally give back to an industry that has given her so much in her career.

JESSICA L'HEUREUX

Program Manager, Calgary

Jessica’s focus has always been the live music industry through work, volunteer opportunities and most frequently - as a patron. She joins Alberta Music after five years as the Assistant Manager of Events and Programming at the Gateway. Her time at the Gateway included working alongside various artists with an annual average of 114 artists with more than 50% Albertan entertainers.

At the outset of her career, Jessica engaged with volunteer opportunities at both the Calgary Folk Music Festival and the New Black Centre. She quickly transitioned to more dynamic roles with the CBC and the Calgary Stampede. When she’s not catching a concert, you can find Jessica exploring Alberta and B.C. with her dog Reno. The devoted duo are always on the hunt for that perfect Instagram photo. This summer she started backcountry camping and is looking forward to hiking Berg Lake next summer!

JAIME PRUDEN

Communications & Administrative Coordinator, Edmonton