Meet the Dream Team: The Summer Students Shaping the 2025 Festival

Behind every great festival is an incredible team of passionate individuals, and this year's Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is no exception! Our 2025 summer student team comprises a mix of returning faces and exciting newcomers, all with diverse backgrounds and skills and genuine passions for creating memorable experiences through music and art!

We are excited to introduce Madeline as our new Special Events Coordinator! We’re also thrilled to welcome back Lida as our Volunteer Coordinator and Stephanie as our Special Events Coordinator! 

These dedicated students are working tirelessly alongside our experienced staff to provide valuable support in planning and executing the seamless, vibrant experience our community has come to love.

"Our summer students are integral to the festival's success," says Executive Director and Festival Co-Founder, Karen Zukas. "They bring energy, fresh ideas and essential support that allows us to deliver such a high-quality, community-centred event."

We are grateful to the Canada Summer Jobs Program for supporting these essential positions!

Meet Our New Special Events Coordinator - Madeline!

Our team is strengthened by Madeline, a true Fort Langley local from Kwantlen First Nation. Having recently graduated from Capilano University's Motion Picture Arts Program, Madeline brings a unique blend of local knowledge and professional production experience.

Through her film school journey, Madeline gained valuable project management skills as a 1st AD (Assistant Director) on student film sets, overseeing location permits, managing setup and teardown operations and coordinating complex production schedules. 

"Handling many tasks at once is my happy place! I'm looking forward to the thrill of being in a constant state of motion," says Madeline. "Putting together an event of this calibre is no easy task, and after my experience in student short films, I know what it is to be busy!"

Her local connections and production expertise make her an ideal addition to our special events team, working to create meaningful experiences that honour both the Festival's artistic mission and the community's diverse heritage!

Meet Our Returning Volunteer Coordinator - Lida!

We're thrilled to welcome back Lida, who impressed everyone with her dedication and enthusiasm in 2024. Since last year's Festival, Lida has been pursuing a law degree at the University of Alberta and has just completed her first year! 

Building on her successful 2024 experience, Lida will continue to coordinate our essential volunteer program, managing recruitment, scheduling and ensuring that our amazing volunteers have everything they need to make the Festival run smoothly. Her combination of organizational skills, being a jazz musician and genuine passion for community engagement makes her invaluable to our team.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my summer at the Festival last year, and that's why I've come back for round two," says Lida. "The strongest pull for me to come back wasn't just the amazing music or beautiful location of the Festival, it was also the people I met through my role as Volunteer Coordinator. There is something truly magical about communicating and connecting with individuals who choose to volunteer their time. Our volunteers are such a gracious and caring collection of individuals!"

Meet Our Returning Special Events Coordinator - Stephanie!

Another familiar face returning to our team is Stephanie, who served as Special Events Coordinator in 2024 and coordinated Kidz Zone and Art Zone activities in 2023. Having just completed her third year as a Biology student at the University of Fraser Valley, we're excited to have her back this summer to collaborate with our staff, volunteers and sponsors! 

This year, Stephanie will oversee our special events, including the new Art & Culture Zone, family activities and community engagement initiatives. Her attention to detail, creativity and quick thinking ensure that every initiative contributes to the Festival's welcoming atmosphere.

"Working behind the scenes for the past few years has been truly rewarding,” says Stephanie. “It's satisfying seeing all our hard work create such a beautiful experience. The community is very important to me, and the position of Special Events Coordinator is a wonderful match for my strengths."

Together, these three talented individuals form the backbone of our support team! They don't just fill roles - they become integral parts of our Festival family, contributing fresh perspectives and unique expertise while learning from seasoned event professionals!

If you're inspired by the dedication and passion of our summer students and want to be part of the Festival magic, check out our volunteer and sponsorship opportunities!