Jacki Kliever & Rachel Bland – Festival Co-ordinators
Jacki has wonderful memories of taking her boys to the Okanagan International Children’s Festival when they were young and is excited to now be able to give this experience to the next generation of families in our community. She brings plenty of experience in event planning, particularly with youth and children’s events. Jacki’s musical career highlights the value she places on arts in education. She is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers and teaches many both in private lessons and in choral/musical theatre environments. She is currently a member of the Naramata Community Choir and Musical Director for Showtime! Community Theatre. She grew up listening endlessly to Anne Murray’s “There’s a Hippo in my Tub” on vinyl. As a child, she loved to spend time in the kitchen baking with her mom and that has carried on into her adult life, much to her family’s delight. Her favourite ice cream is pralines and cream.
Rachel brings a wealth of artistic and event planning experience to the board. Having been involved in theatre and live events since high school days, she spent 15 years as a Canadian Equity Stage Manager with many productions across Canada including over 300 performances of Beauty and the Beast. Also an Event Manager, Rachel had the opportunity to be involved with the 2010 Winter Olympic Ceremonies as well as countless concerts and private events. As a child, Rachel loved to go sledding and playing hide and seek, activities which she still enjoys doing with her three young children. Her favourite childhood entertainer is Raffi and her favourite ice cream is Maple Walnut, although she loved Tiger flavour as a kid.
Tracy McGrath – Volunteer Program Leader
Tracy joins the Kidzfest team for the 2024 Festival Season as the Leader of the “It’s For the Kidz” Volunteer Program funded by the Government of Canada Recovery and Resiliency Fund.
