Performers constantly renew folk traditions, fusing old songs and tunes with new influences to entertain audiences and establish their musical place in an ever-changing world. Join folklorist Jim Leary for sounds, images, and observations from 40+ years of fieldwork with Finnish American musicians in the Upper Midwest, along with a sneak preview of the stylistic range and creative visions of folk musicians figuring in FinnFest 2023. Jim Leary, current vice president of FinnFest USA, is an emeritus professor of folklore and Scandinavian studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he co-founded the Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures. An award-winning author and two-time Grammy nominee for Best Album Notes, he is the curator of FinnFest’s 2023 folk arts programming. Finnish American Folk Music: All Tradition is Change.