ABOUT US

Our Mission:

The South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Club (SFFAMC) is a non-profit organization (501 c3) whose purpose is to promote folk and acoustic music and to provide a community for people who share a love for it. We promote and help sponsor events in the tri-county area (Dade, Broward, Palm Beach). See our events page for calendars and details.

Folk Music – Our Heritage and Roots

If you’re reading this, you probably make folk music.

Folk music is the music of the people. Folk music has its roots in community, where people gather together, listen, and sing the stories of their lives.

Music that’s rooted in cultural tradition is traditional folk music, regardless of whether it is played in America or Australia or Africa. It still reflects the music of the people.

Singer-songwriters who only know four chords and the truth – that’s folk music. Or singer-songwriters who write complex ballads with a myriad of chords and melodies, like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Paul Simon and James Taylor, all play folk music. And so are Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks. They are all singer-songwriters who tell a story.

Folk is protest songs, it’s mariachi ensembles, and it’s experimental, electronic-infused fiddle tunes. We don’t limit folk to any one genre, culture, or group of instruments. The South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Club embraces an inclusive definition of folk which includes Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country, Gospel, Jazz, World Music and more. If you can play it and enjoy with a group of folks, then it’s folk. Come join us!

MEET OUR BOARD

Jeff Jacob- President

I spent 18 years in Nashville working in the music industry. During that time I worked with a wide variety of artists including Rascal Flatts, Bryan Adams, Loretta Lynn, Del McCoury Band and Brad Paisley. I also spent 3 years as a Staff Songwriter for the “Songs of Love Foundation’, andhave released 6 albums as a Singer/Songwriter. In 2011 I founded The Song Team, www.thesongteam.com. Their programs combine songwriting and professional development. In this capacity, I lead interactive team-building programs for groups of 8 to 1800.. teaching corporations how to better tell their stories and collaborate through songwriting. In 2018, I led a TEDx Songwriting Program.

Currently, I am the executive director at Temple Beth El in Hollywood and have been leading non-profits in the sectors of Mental Health, Animal Welfare and Faith-based for the past decade. I am a musician and founding member of JewGrass Revival, the Folk-Rock Worship band at Temple Beth El. I began working with the S. Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Club after the 23’ festival, and I host the “Songs in the Chapel” series at TBE of Hollywood (in conjunction with the SFFAMC). I am excited to work collaboratively and build our audience and outreach.

Arlene Boumel – Vice President

I’ve loved folk music since I was a child learning to play guitar around the campfire at my Dad’s Pocono summer camp. I served on the BFC Board from 2005 thru 2021 in multiple capacities including 5 years as President and multiple as Secretary. I was Director of South Florida Folk Round Up in 2009 and 2010, Director of Festivus in 2012 and 2013, co-Director of the 2014 South Florida Folk Festival, and served as Music Director for the 2015 thru 2020 South Florida Folk Festivals. I also coordinated our monthly open mic/concert series for many years, and enjoyed booking artists for that event. Over the years I’ve hosted song swaps and gotten involved in planning other special Club events. In addition, I have run a House Concert series since 2004 (with a gap during the Covid years). I love playing and singing as much as I enjoy organizing, and you will often find me at open mics and song swaps, guitar in tow. The Folk Club has always been close to my heart, and the community is like a family to me. After having taken a hiatus, it would be an honor to be back on the Board and to help the SFFAMC expand its reach with diverse programming. When I am not involved in folk music, I have a thriving psychotherapy practice in Coral Springs.

Elyse Brunt – Secretary

I have been an active member of the Broward Folk Club since 2000. I have been the Secretary the BFC since 2021. I have also taken on the role of webmaster and media specialist for the club. I have been the co-director of the SFFAMF from 2023-2025 and am co-musical director this year. I am also a musician and have taught ukulele and guitar to students in elementary and middle school. I am very passionate about the promotion of local music events, especially working with young people to grow our community and expand our outreach with schools, colleges, and community organizations.

Bill Wunderlich – Treasurer

I have been the President of the Broward Folk Club since July 2021 and have played a key role in preserving the Club which was in the verge of extinction. I have been the Festival Director from 2022- 2025. I have been active in the Broward Folk Club since 2008, having served as President and a Board Member from 2009 to 2018 and again since 2021.

My business background as a CPA, CFO and businessman has provided me with the experience necessary to lead an organization.

Bruce Feldman- Parlimentarian

I have been a Board member of Broward Folk for over twenty years and am currently Vice-President. Other positions that I have held include Parliamentarian, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Open Mike/Concert Coordinator, Children’s Stage Manager, Chair of Performer Selection Committee, and a Preliminary Judge of the Singer-Songwriter Competition for the South Florida Folk Festival. I have been the Singer-Songwriter coordinator for many years.

Kenneth A. Friedman

I have been a folk music fan since I was a little kid and my older siblings were listening to folk before rock and roll came along. In college, I fantasized about getting a masters in Folklore, combining my interest in music with history. Life intervened and I became a lawyer. Now semi retired, I’ve become a hiker with a cellphone, wandering the parks and natural areas of south Florida and publishing videos as TheHikersEyeView to bring nature to the community. I look forward to helping the SFFAMC move into the future and bring more music to the community. There’s nothing like music and critters!!

Peter Fox

I have a deep appreciation for a wide range of musical genres. Our family home in New York was filled with music: a baby-grand piano in the living room and the radio tuned to WQXR, New York’s classical music station at the time. I studied the violin as a child and played the guitar in college during my rebellious “hippie” days. While I no longer play the fiddle or the guitar (though I’ve resolved to pick them up again one of these days!), I love singing in choirs and song circles whenever the opportunity arises. I had to step away from the folk scene last year, as I dealt with some health issues. Now it’s time to get back in the game and be active with the club again.

Grace Moses

I have been an active member of both the Broward Folk Club and the Folk Club of South Florida for many years. I have been a board member and former treasurer of the South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Club. I love to play ukelele and take part in song swaps and attend local music events.