Our Story

Gregg and Kylie Griffin are a husband-and-wife team of educators, performers, and advocates dedicated to uplifting Louisiana’s musical heritage. Together, they founded FÊTE: the Folk Education & Tradition Exchange to bridge the gap between professional tradition-bearing and accessible community education.

  • Preserve: Revitalizing Cajun, Créole, and Zydeco traditions through connection.

  • Unite: Connecting teachers and community leaders to share resources for cultural preservation.

  • Empower: Providing students hands-on opportunities to showcase and continue Louisiana’s heritage.

Our Mission

  • Kylie Griffin: Co-Founder Kylie is a PhD candidate at LSU and a national advocate for the next generation of Louisiana musicians. A Grammy Music Educator Award finalist and Yamaha “40 Under 40” honoree, she focuses on keeping traditional music vibrant and accessible.

    Kylie serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, teaching the history of Creole, Cajun, and Zydeco music. Her commitment to the community is seen through her founding of the Bayou Tigre Steppers, one of the state's first school-based Zydeco ensembles. As a Music To Life MCA Artist Changemaker, she designs community-driven programming that uses music as a tool for social growth. A frequent presenter at the Music Will Modern Band Summit, Kylie mentors young performers and champions the evolution of Louisiana’s traditions in both the classroom and the community.

  • Gregg Griffin: Co-Founder Gregg is a music educator and cultural steward with 20 years of experience spanning Louisiana’s classrooms and dancehalls. As a Talented and Gifted Instructor in the Vermilion Parish School System, he focuses on creating hands-on opportunities for students to connect with their heritage through active music-making.

    Gregg’s leadership is defined by practical advocacy. As founder and chair of the Louisiana Roots Music Education Collective, he established the state’s first Cajun and Zydeco All-State Ensemble, providing a professional stage for young musicians. He holds a Master’s in Music Education from UL Lafayette, where his research on Cajun and Zydeco music serves as the roadmap for FÊTE’s community programming. A Music To Life Juried Artist, Gregg has presented his research at the American Musicological Society (AMS) and the Association for Popular Music Education (APME), continuing to build meaningful pathways for families to engage with Louisiana’s living traditions.