Rachel Weldon is a music curator, event producer, and project manager living on Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (so-called Hull). She is the founder and director of non-profit music and arts presenter organization Debaser.
Since founding Debaser in 2013, Rachel has led the development of the organization from a volunteer-run ad-hoc collective producing DIY events into a leading non-profit music presenter with five employees. Throughout this growth, Rachel has steered Debaser to remain true to its core values of supporting underrepresented and experimental artists, offering thoughtfully curated event experiences, and promoting diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity.
In 2021, Rachel founded Pique, a quarterly building-wide music and arts event series that takes place at the Arts Court complex in downtown Ottawa. Rachel has led the conception, development, and creative direction of Pique since its launch, supporting its growth into what is now a vital creative event in Ottawa that welcomes approximately 1,500 attendees to each seasonal event.
Previously Rachel worked as a manager at Kelp Management, where she worked with artists Lido Pimienta, U.S. Girls, and Andy Shauf. During her time at Kelp, she also helped produce MEGAPHONO for three years as festival manager. As a freelance consultant, she has managed projects for the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Folk Music Ontario, l’Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, and Artengine.
She has been an invited speaker by events and organizations such as the National Gallery of Canada, BIME (Bilbao), Reeperbahn (Hamburg), POP Montreal, Music New Brunswick, Sled Island Music Conference, Music Calgary, Creative Mornings, Carleton University, and Algonquin College, and has served on juries for the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Ottawa, the National Campus and Community Radio Association, and Arts Network Ottawa. She was an active member of the community radio community from 2012-2021, hosting programs on CKCU, CHUO and CKUT, and currently DJs under the moniker Pink Veil.
Rachel also serves on the advisory committee for Produced by Youth, a mentorship program that offers accessible and safe spaces for emerging Black recording artists, and previously served on boards for Everyseeker Festival, CHUO FM, Girls+ Rock Ottawa, and Riverbed Reading Series.
CV
Since founding Debaser in 2013, Rachel has led the development of the organization from a volunteer-run ad-hoc collective producing DIY events into a leading non-profit music presenter with five employees. Throughout this growth, Rachel has steered Debaser to remain true to its core values of supporting underrepresented and experimental artists, offering thoughtfully curated event experiences, and promoting diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity.
In 2021, Rachel founded Pique, a quarterly building-wide music and arts event series that takes place at the Arts Court complex in downtown Ottawa. Rachel has led the conception, development, and creative direction of Pique since its launch, supporting its growth into what is now a vital creative event in Ottawa that welcomes approximately 1,500 attendees to each seasonal event.
Previously Rachel worked as a manager at Kelp Management, where she worked with artists Lido Pimienta, U.S. Girls, and Andy Shauf. During her time at Kelp, she also helped produce MEGAPHONO for three years as festival manager. As a freelance consultant, she has managed projects for the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Folk Music Ontario, l’Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, and Artengine.
She has been an invited speaker by events and organizations such as the National Gallery of Canada, BIME (Bilbao), Reeperbahn (Hamburg), POP Montreal, Music New Brunswick, Sled Island Music Conference, Music Calgary, Creative Mornings, Carleton University, and Algonquin College, and has served on juries for the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Ottawa, the National Campus and Community Radio Association, and Arts Network Ottawa. She was an active member of the community radio community from 2012-2021, hosting programs on CKCU, CHUO and CKUT, and currently DJs under the moniker Pink Veil.
Rachel also serves on the advisory committee for Produced by Youth, a mentorship program that offers accessible and safe spaces for emerging Black recording artists, and previously served on boards for Everyseeker Festival, CHUO FM, Girls+ Rock Ottawa, and Riverbed Reading Series.
CV
2021-Present
Pique is a forward-thinking artist-driven quarterly festival series produced by Debaser. Hosted at the Arts Court in downtown Ottawa, a converted heritage courthouse now housing various artistic spaces, Pique is known for its thoughtfully curated programming, care-oriented approach to artist and audience experience, and commitment to safety and inclusivity.
May 2024
Tasked to speak to the Creative Mornings monthly theme of Vibrant, in a 30-minute keynote presentation I spoke about how care is an essential foundation to creating vibrant cultural encounters, and how active listening cultivates ecosystems of care
- Curator and Producer
- 2021
2020
Mood Ring Vol 2 is a curated mixtape and interactive web project presented by Debaser. The web project, designed to be an entry point to the listening experience and a playful way to engage with the music on the compilation, guides you to one of the eight tracks in the collection.
Each turn at Mood Ring Vol. 2 allows you to discover new paths and results depending on how you respond to it.
- Executive Producer
- 2021-present
An ongoing Youtube channel of video content from Debaser events.
- Project Manager
- 2023
SILA XR is an AR short film/installation by artist and filmmaker asinnajaq for Geronimo Inutiq’s installation in the Canadian Centre for Architecture’s Towards Home exhibition. From loud and eerie fighting ravens to a calm and ever-present running river, the augmented reality experience adds a complementary layer of life to the exhibition.
- Co-curator and Producer
- 2021
Ondes en plein air was a series of free outdoor pop-up performances of experimental and environmental sounds, taking place at various parks and public spaces in and around Hull. Featuring Linsey Wellman, Turquoise Fire, Bucko Art Machine, Kira Jane, Seiiizi, Instant Places, Christina Bell, and Annie Socoria. Locations announced within 24 hours of the event.