Behind the scenes, we work year round to engineer the magic that happens during the festival. Let's meet the core team members that power this festival!
Brad Kolodner - Festival Co-Director
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Brad Kolodner is an acclaimed clawhammer banjo player, broadcaster, and community organizer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up in a musical family—his father, Ken Kolodner, is a renowned hammered dulcimer player—Brad was immersed in Folk and Roots music from birth. After picking up the banjo at 17, he went on to perform nationally with the chart-topping fusion quartet Charm City Junction and record four albums with his father as Ken & Brad Kolodner, including the Billboard-charting Stony Run (2020). His solo debut, Chimney Swifts, was released in 2021. A passionate radio host, Brad presents weekly shows on Bluegrass Country Radio, Radio Bristol, and Folk Alley, earning multiple IBMA Broadcaster of the Year nominations. A leading force in Baltimore’s Roots music scene, Brad is the co-director of the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival and co-founder of the Baltimore Old Time Jam and Baltimore Square Dance.
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Josh Kohn - Festival Co-Director
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Josh Kohn is the Associate Director of the Center for Cultural Vibrancy (CCV) and a driving force behind the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival, a major celebration of Appalachian and string-band traditions. At CCV, he leads programs that bring culturally rooted arts to life, from launching the global education platform World Cultural in Context to collaborating with Pakistan’s Saami Brothers to preserve centuries-old Sufi devotional music. A key figure in Baltimore’s cultural scene, Josh previously served as Performance Director at Creative Alliance, where he produced nearly 1,000 events, launched the acclaimed Sidewalk Serenades series during the pandemic, and co-founded the Baltimore Crankie Festival. Earlier, he worked with Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and the National Council for the Traditional Arts, producing festivals, tours, and recordings that spotlighted tradition-bearers worldwide. Josh lives in Baltimore with his wife and daughters, where music and community remain at the heart of his work.
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Ken Kolodner - Festival Co-Director
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Ken Kolodner, hailed by Sing Out! as “a world-class instrumentalist,” is a Baltimore-based hammered dulcimer virtuoso, old-time fiddler, and community builder. A founding force behind the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival, which he co-curates and organizes with his son Brad, Ken has been instrumental in cultivating Baltimore’s thriving traditional music scene. Together, the Kolodners also lead the popular Baltimore Old Time Jam, drawing dozens of musicians weekly. Ken performs nationally with The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet, winners of the 2019 Clifftop Neo-Traditional Band Contest, and has toured internationally as a soloist and with ensembles such as Helicon and Greenfire. His extensive discography includes Billboard-charting albums Walking Stones and Stony Run. Beyond performance, Ken founded the renowned Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer and Old-Time Fiddle Retreats, mentoring players worldwide. Described by The New York Times as “outstanding,” Kolodner continues to inspire as both performer and cultural leader.
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Kathleen Overman - Community Engagement Director
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For over 12 years, Kathleen Overman has partnered with restaurateurs, consumer brands, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community organizations to bring bold visions to life across Baltimore and beyond. Her expertise spans brand identity development, operations and systems design, creative direction, marketing strategy, and event execution. Kathleen’s consulting style is rooted in holistic growth—helping clients strengthen their internal systems while deepening engagement with their communities. She has played key roles in launching festivals, managing large-scale fundraising events, and shaping brands that authentically reflect their missions. Known for her creativity, organization, and collaborative spirit, Kathleen has earned praise from leaders across the region, including partners at the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival, TasteWise Kids, and the Center for Cultural Vibrancy. Whether developing brand strategy, managing events, or building partnerships, Kathleen brings both brilliance and heart to every project—turning ideas into meaningful, community-driven impact.
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