Executive Committee

Nick Farkas, Chair

"Live music is the backbone of the music industry. One of the greatest parts of doing what we do is watching the interaction between the fans and the artists… The Canadian Live Music Association allows us to help this vibrant part of the business continue to grow."

VP Concerts and Events, evenko

“Live music has been the soundtrack for my life - from punk shows in the suburbs of Montreal in the 80s, to playing shows across the globe with my band Delhi 2 Dublin, to programming South Asian talent at 5X Fest in Vancouver. I am honoured and proud to be a part of the team at the Canadian Live Music Association to ensure all Canadians can access the transformative and unifying power of live music.”
- Tarun Nayar - Co-Founder, 5X Fest; Co-Founder, Snakes x Ladders

directors

President & CEO

Erin Benjamin

President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) since its inception in 2014, Erin Benjamin has worked in the music industry for over 25 years. Originally as a touring and recording singer/songwriter and then as executive director of both Folk Music Ontario and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association. An unflagging champion for the live music sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Erin serves as a board member for the Ottawa Board of Trade and the United Way Eastern Ontario. Over the years she has served a wide variety of organizations as a volunteer board member including as chair of the Unison Fund – Canada’s leading music industry charity, Folk Alliance International, the Songwriters Association of Canada, the National Arts Centre’s Creation Fund, RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, the Ottawa Film Commission and others.

During the depths of the pandemic, Erin produced a weekly livestreamed show out of her Ottawa living room with a local artist helping to raise over $200,000 for local charities in need.

Erin is the proud recipient of several awards including the 2023 Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award, the Spirit of Folk Award (FAI, 2022), the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s Resiliency Award (2021), the United Way’s Community Ambassador Award (2019), and the Ontario 150 Award (2017), all in recognition of her service to community.

Erin lives in a vibrant Ottawa neighbourhood with her two teenagers, beloved pandemic puppy and in her free time can often be found on the golf course in the pursuit of happiness. Learn more about Erin here.

With Thanks