Our Team
James Burke
Executive Director
James has a passion for presenting free, outdoor performing arts programs across NYC neighborhoods. He began his career in music as a songwriter and post-punk rocker, but after the tour van of his most promising band, Idle (Big Deal Records), caught fire en route from a gig, he settled into the more respectable life of a “performing arts presenter.” He has over thirty years of leadership experience producing music for Make Music New York, City Parks Foundation/Central Park SummerStage/Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, Rise Up NYC, Paradigm Associated Labels, Reel to Reel Records, and Westhampton Beach PAC.
Sarah Weiss
Deputy Director
Sarah Weiss is a choral singer and performing arts marketer based in NYC. She has been an active member of The Choral Society at Grace Church for over 25 seasons and has lent her concert promotion marketing skills to support the group’s performances at Carnegie Hall. Sarah has recently transitioned her career in NYC nightlife to a consulting practice supporting choral and performing arts organizations and music festivals.
Board of Directors
Robert Becker, Chair
Financial Advisor, Stiflel
Henry Henderson, Secretary
Vice President, Leasing at Marx Realty
Samit Mody, Treasurer
Managing Director, Emigrant Realty Finance
Phil Ballman
Director of Cultural Affairs and Tourism,
Office of the Queens Borough President
Aaron Friedman
Executive Director, Make Music Alliance
Alexis Goldberg
Global Event Producer for Top Tier Brands
Camilla G. Hellman, MBE
Trans-Atlantic Relations
Sharon King Hoge
Writer and Editor; Former ED of National Music Day
Mike Jacobs
Chief Growth Officer, Consortium Brand Partners
Dick Lynn
Executive Director, Newport Live
Jessica Nickelsberg
General Counsel & Head of Operations, NEON
Robert Singerman
SVP, International Publishing at LyricFind, Inc.
Peter Seymour
Professional Musician, PROJECT Trio
Steven Swartz
Founder & Director, Dotdotdotmusic
We Gratefully Acknowledge our Current Supporters
Benefactors ($1,000+)
Aaron Friedman
Alexis Goldberg
Folk Music Society of New York
John Vitale
Michael Gantcher
Robert Becker
Sharon King Hoge
Stephanie Anne Connor
Virtuosi ($500-$1,000)
Nancy Schneider
Norma Kerlin Buchman
Frank Rand
Groupies ($100-$500)
Benjamin Pickard
BrickWork Management, Inc.
Brien Brannigan
Camilla Hellman
David Lerner & Lorren Erstad
David Weaver
Justin Cornell
Steven Swartz
Todd Evans
Urs-Rainer von Arx
Buskers ($50-$100)
Cole Rotante
Edward Dilello
Gjergji Theka
John Hamer
Kendall Kirk
Kevin Slakas
Marc Rivlin
Mary Ann Callahan
Phyllis Elkind
Sam Dalllas
Stan Baum & Linda Schwarz
Tristan Perich
Roadies (Up to $50)
Brian Mountford
James Graham
Kate Cayne
Kenneth Voisin
Larissa Varges
Mike Shapiro
Philip Sussman
Cheryl L. Mervine
In-Kind Supporters
Adam Hall Group, NA
Easttop
JoyJam
PianoPiano
Rhythm Band Instruments