Meet the Board
Connecting Southwest roots with voices that carry forward the folk tradition
Dalis Allen:
Executive Director
Dalis Allen, Founder of the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance and coordinator of its first 2000 conference, now serves as Executive Director and Conference Coordinator. She previously produced the Kerrville Folk Festival, bringing deep experience to her leadership in the folk music community.
Natalie Price:
Vice President
Texas-born “Amerikinda” artist Natalie Price has been involved with SWRFA since 2019, joined the board in 2021, and now serves as Vice President. A touring songwriter and collaborator based in Nashville, she’s releasing new music while building community wherever she goes—always in search of great coffee, tequila sodas, and queso.
Ryan Biter: Board Member
Ryan Biter is an International touring Singer Songwriter and Fingerstyle guitar guy. He has played to audience all over the US as well as in Ireland and Australia. Biter is passionate about acoustic guitar, live performance , live sound, and professional development for artists. He has been a finalist At Kerrville, Songwriters Serenade, and Al Johnson.
Rachel Laven:
Secretary
Rachel has been a SWRFA member since 19 and a touring Texas songwriter for over two decades. Now based in Nashville, she’s released two albums, toured internationally, and brings 20 years of industry experience and six years of event management to strengthening SWRFA’s regional connections while preserving its famously welcoming spirit.
Roxi copeland: Treasurer
Roxi Copland is an award-winning singer-songwriter, pianist, and occasional banjoist based in Austin, TX. A touring artist since 2005, she is a 2026 recipient of both the Austin Live Music Fund Grant and the Terry Baucom Bluegrass Education Grant.
Lindsay Taylor
Board Member
Lindsay Taylor is the co-founder and Executive Director of Queen Bee Music Association in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she has built a vibrant folk music community through the organization's group classes and hosted jams. Her career in the nonprofit sector has spanned organizations of all sizes, including Swallow Hill Music in Denver. She also performs with Glorieta Pines, playing original folk music inspired by the American southwest.
John Whipple
Board Member
John Whipple is a San Antonio native with 50 years in the Texas music business as a music store, recording studio and record label owner. A participant in SWRFA for 15 years he is a folk singer, small festival organizer and curator of opportunity for others living the songwriter's life.
Martin Gilmore: President
Martin Gilmore is an award-winning songwriter, guitarist, and educator from Colorado whose music draws from folk, bluegrass, and the traditions of the American West. A winner of the Telluride Troubadour, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, and Kerrville New Folk competitions, he tours nationally and internationally and teaches songwriting and roots music at Swallow Hill Music.
Stephanie Sammons
Board Member
With her “emotive voice and plainspoken storytelling” (Nashville
Scene), Sammons was named winner of both the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Competition (2026), and the Wildflower Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest, while also clinching the People’s Choice Award (2026). She has also been a finalist in Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Telluride Troubadour Competition (2025, 2026), Songwriter Serenade (2026), and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase (2026).