AFE was established by Nate Keller, Brandi Gollinger, and Mark Geslison in 2021. Nate and Brandi have performed together with the folk ensemble Clog America since 2000. The two have represented the USA in more than 60 Folk Festivals around the world and went on to become the dance and musical directors for Clog America. Nate and Mark first met when Nate was a banjo player for Brigham Young University’s American Folk Ensemble which Mark was directing. The two have gone on to perform together all over the mountains west.