Team

Founder & CEO

  • Chris is the Founder, President and Executive Director of the FreshGrass Foundation. He started his music career as a bluegrass lead singer and guitarist in the Golden Elixir Bluegrass Band. He was a music major at Williams College and began a masters degree in composition at the New England Conservatory before dropping out to become a picker/packer at Rounder Records. He started following his accountant instinct and eventually got his MBA from the University of Chicago which led to 15 years of work in the technology, financial and venture capital sectors in both the US and China. He’s come full-circle back to roots music via FreshGrass. Chris has recorded and released two albums with his daughter as the MileRocks Duo and is a musician, writer and composer.

Founding Director

  • Rachel Chanoff has been working in performing arts and film for 40 years and is the founder and director of THE OFFICE performing arts + film, her New York City-based programming, consulting, and production company, which is partnered with FreshGrass. She is the Curator of Performing Arts and Film for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), Consultant to the Feature Film Program for the Sundance Institute, Curator of The New York Jewish Film Festival and The Margaret Mead Film Festival, and Senior Artistic Advisor to the FreshGrass Foundation. She served as the Director of Programming of the CenterSeries at the '62 Center for Theater and Dance at Williams College for 20 years and as the Artistic Director of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival for 30 years. Rachel is proud to serve on the board of the 52nd Street Project and Working Films. She is also a long time participant in the Theater Development Fund’s Open Doors program, which introduces underserved high school students to the New York theater scene.

Chief Operating Officer

  • Since 2008, Adam has been successfully building businesses and managing marketing campaigns for brands and artists of all sizes. Adam oversees operations, marketing, and retail for FreshGrass and its subsidiaries as well as plans and executes strategic marketing campaigns for the Foundation, No Depression, Folk Alley, and FreshGrass Festivals. Adam lives in Baltimore, Maryland where he currently resides and also seasonally co-produces the Charm City Bluegrass Festival – a popular event brand in the area. Adam is a proud alumni of IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass program and is passionate about effectively connecting fans with brands they love.

Director of Programming

  • Olli began working for THE OFFICE in 2001. Since then he has booked countless shows, helped to shape scores of festival lineups and performing arts seasons at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, MASS MoCA, FreshGrass, and elsewhere, and been lead producer on events at major venues and festivals around the world including the Sydney Opera House, the Brighton Festival, Lincoln Center, and the Dublin International Theatre Festival. Olli is the Director of of Programming for the FreshGrass Foundation and the lead programmer and a co-producer of the FreshGrass Bluegrass and Roots Music Festival at MASS MoCA. Along with his programming and producing work, Olli maintains the voice of THE OFFICE, putting our curatorial work into context by creating marketing and promotional copy for our partner institutions and individual productions and overseeing all other written material. Prior to finding his calling at THE OFFICE, Olli was the editorial director of one too many startup Internet companies, a screenplay reader, a reluctant book publicist, a freelance production assistant, and a below average busker. He has a BA from Dartmouth College in English and American Literature.

Accounting

  • Chloe joined THE OFFICE in June of 2018, and we have little memory of life before her arrival. As General Manager, she coordinates all agreements with our various partner institutions, as well as with the vendors, individuals, venues, and other contracting parties associated with our many productions, and administers all incoming and outgoing financial transactions. She does this with both extraordinary attention to detail and a surprising level of good humor. Chloe graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a double major in Piano Performance and Music Business, and attended the Performing Arts Administration Masters program at NYU. Prior to becoming part of THE OFFICE team she was a development fellow at HERE Arts center, a freelance musician, and a music teacher (she continues the latter two). In her free time she likes to go to shows, eat brunch, and play a lot of music.

Managing Director – Artists at Work

  • A strategic and collaborative arts leader, Nadine brings over 15 years of experience realizing complex programs and initiatives across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Before rejoining THE OFFICE as Managing Director of Artists At Work in July 2021, Nadine served as Executive Director of Rooftop Films, where she successfully led the nonprofit through the pandemic and helped them re-imagine their programming and operations to continue to bring impactful cultural events to NYC. Nadine was also part of the inaugural senior leadership team at The Shed, where she played an integral role in building organizational infrastructure and resources necessary for the successful launch of the new cultural institution. A seasoned producer, she has specialized in commissioning and developing new work by luminary artists including Carrie Mae Weems, Björk, Quincy Jones, Steve McQueen, William Kentridge, Claudia Rankine, William Forsythe, and many others. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership from UMass Dartmouth.

Executive Director – Folk Alley

  • Linda Fahey joined the Folk Alley team in 2005. Her love for folk and roots music started early on while growing up in the folk-drenched Boston area. Her passion for music continued while pursuing degrees in her two other loves – field botany and forest ecology. After teaching ecology and environmental science at a small private college in the Adirondacks of NYS and presenting/promoting folk and acoustic blues concerts in the Saranac Lake area for seven years, an unexpected twist of fate led to a job offer from Garrison Keillor to work for ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ as Associate Producer (aka talent booker.) She made the big move “down from the mountains” to the urban flatlands (and the relatively balmy climate) of St. Paul, Minnesota. While MN, Linda also worked for the Twin Cities-based folk label Red House Records. Today, when she’s not focused on all things folk and roots music, Linda loves her life in Saranac Lake, NY – hiking or snowshoeing with her husband and 2 dogs (Raven and Mowgli), paddling, and obsessively following the Boston Red Sox. Go Sox!

Managing Editor – No Depression

  • Hilary Saunders is the Managing Editor at No Depression, the leading source for roots music since 1995. She manages the quarterly print publication, where she strives to highlight under-represented voices in this niche musical community.

    With more than 10 years accruing journalistic bylines and two-and-a-half years in arts administration, Hilary is well-versed in writing and editing features, marketing copy, social media posts, business plans, artist biographies, style guides, and pretty much any other product you can creatively conjure using words.

    Hilary is a proud alumna of The U, member of the National Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists — NYC Chapter, and un-ironic believer that rock and roll can save the world.

General Manager – Studio 9, FGI

  • Larry worked as Deputy Director of The Clark Art Institute from 2018-2022 and MASS MoCA from 1998 to 2006 and 2013-2018. He first joined the MASS MoCA staff a year prior to its opening, working to create the framework and infrastructure for its performance venues and to provide production and technical support for its performing arts programming. His responsibilities expanded in 2003 when he joined the production and technical team for MASS MoCA’s visual arts program, working with artists, curators, and fabricators to mount a wide range of exhibitions. From 2006 to 2013, Smallwood lived and worked in Chicago, where he served as a producer and designer for a number of art and cultural venues including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. He also worked as a producer of events and art installations for corporate clients including Equity Group Investments, Harley-Davidson, and BBC America.

Manager/House Engineer – Studio 9

  • Patrick is a Berkshires based audio engineer! Studio 9 is fortunate to have such a skilled engineer assisting Dave Denision on all things audio and tech at Studio 9.

Executive Director – FreshGrass Institute

  • Sue comes to FreshGrass as the former Managing Director for the Performing Arts and Film at MASS MoCA.  Prior to this she served as the General Manager and Development Associate when MASS MoCA opened in 1999.  As Managing Director of Performing Arts and Film, Sue managed the day-to-day operations of MASS MoCA's Performing Arts and Film department including over 65 events per year, 3 music festivals (including Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival), its multiple performing arts spaces, including a 10,000 square foot black box, a 3,500 square foot club space, an outdoor cinema/concert courtyard, a concert courtyard, and Joe’s field. Sue also has worked with the Philadelphia entertainment law firm Garcia, Francis & Associates, and the Philadelphia and Boston Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. She also served as the founding Director of the HIV/AIDS Law Consortium and as staff attorney for the Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts. Sue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Film & Broadcasting from Boston University and a Juris Doctor degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. She is a member of the Bar in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Assistant Director of Programming

  • Lia Camille Crockett is a passionate curator and creative producer who is most driven by the connective, change-making powers of the live music experience and by expanding opportunities for independent artists. With over 15 years working across sectors of music and media industries, she has consulted consultant on Latin Music Programming for South By Southwest (SXSW), Produced the Tiny Desk Contest for NPR, and is currently the Associate Director of Programming at THE OFFICE performing arts + film, where she leads music programming for various venues and festivals across the United States. She also presents artists under her music discovery platform Parcha Projects. As a curator, Lia enjoys challenging norms and presenting unexpected artists in unexpected places, striving to expose more people to their next favorite artist, and to provide opportunities for independent artists. Prior to consulting and working at THE OFFICE, Lia was the Executive Producer of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival and BRIC JazzFest. Lia grew up in Austin, Texas and now splits her time between Brooklyn, NY and San Juan, PR.

Fulfillment, Procurement, Consulting

  • Founders of Compass Records and longtime musicians and industry executives, Alison Brown and Garry West provide strategic council and fulfillment and procurement services for FreshGrass. Both also sit on the board of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize.

Producer, FreshGrass Institute

  • John is a Producer at our FreshGrass Institute based in North Adams, MA. John has over 9 years of experience in administrative roles at New England non-profit cultural institutions. Focused on tour and staff management and administration, artistic and program development, event planning, marketing/social media, and volunteer coordination. Front of house management, audience building, and community outreach. Sustain experience in collaborating with diverse constituents in backgrounds and disciplines. Volunteer and staff recruitment and training. House management for concerts and festivals. Tour guide/docent training. Committed to anti-racism, inclusion, accessibility, and equity for audiences and workforces of New England cultural institutions.

Host – Folk Alley

  • Baltimore-based clawhammer banjoist Brad Kolodner represents the next generation of Old-Time musicians pushing the boundaries of the tradition into uncharted territory. Regarded for his delicate touch, expressive style, and original compositions, Kolodner has rapidly gained national attention for his unique approach to the banjo. He regularly performs across the country in a duo with his father Ken Kolodner, a world renowned hammered dulcimer player and with the acoustic roots quartet Charm City Junction. Off the stage, he is an acclaimed teacher, award-winning radio broadcaster for Folk Alley and Bluegrass Country Radio, jam leader, festival organizer, community builder and ambassador for Old-Time and Bluegrass music.

Programming & Production

  • East coast-born and midwest-raised, Zion comes from the Great Lakes State, Michigan, where he found his love for music and theater.

    After studying Voice Performance and Performing Arts Management & Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan, Zion joined THE OFFICE in 2020 as the NYC distribution coordinator for Carrie Mae Weemsʻ Take 6 COVID -19 awareness campaign. Since then he has enjoyed working on various OFFICE producing and programming projects across the globe like William Kentridge’s Sibyl, Angelique Kidjo’s Yemandja, Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach Project and Our Common Nature Project, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, MASS MoCA, Symphony Space Wall to Wall, and many others.

    He is an advocate for representation and access in the arts and is passionate about story telling and bridging cultural and social gaps through music and shared curated experiences. When not traveling​, Zion spends his time cooking, performing, and enjoying NYC parks​ in Brooklyn, NY.

Fulfillment, Procurement

  • Thad is a valued member of the FreshGrass team and manages fulfillment and procurement for No Depression and FreshGrass’ retail operations. He’s also a VP at Compass Records and manages the relationships the sales and promotions for all its artists and partners.

Host – Folk Alley

  • Matt Reilly grew up in Houston listening to bad radio. During this time, Reilly decided he wanted to do radio, just better than what he was hearing. After attending TCU, Matt moved to Austin where he first wormed his way on air at KLBJ FM. Shortly thereafter, he got a regular gig on KGSR for the first few years of the aughts. He also was a VJ on the now defunct Austin Music Network. Reilly then moved to Philadelphia to work at WXPN, where he honed his radio skills and gained a deeper appreciation for the Austin lifestyle. As such, Matt moved back to Austin in 2008 to work at KUT where he was a host and live music booker. He was named Program Director of KUTX upon its launch in 2013. He loves it there.

Production

  • José is an arts administrator and music industry professional from Honduras. In his role as a programmer at THE OFFICE, José has curated programs at esteemed institutions such as MASS MoCA, The Momentary, Symphony Space, and The Wallis Center for Performing Arts, as well as music festivals that include the FreshGrass Festivals, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, Wall to Wall, and the Momentous Electronic Festival. As a producer, Jose has worked on projects such as Yo-Yo Ma's Our Common Nature, The Bach Project, and Angelique Kidjo's Yemandja. Holding an MA in Arts Administration from CUNY Baruch, José advocates for inclusion of Central American artists in all aspects of the culture and entertainment industries.

Accounting

  • Sarah is an actor and finance professional, specializing in arts organizations. Originally from Littleton, Colorado, Sarah moved to New York to attend Barnard College, where she graduated with a BA in Theater in 2016. After graduation, Sarah found a love of numbers while working as a Finance Associate at Pentacle. Over the years, she has worked in finance for a number of organizations, including Target Margin Theater, The Brick, Rooftop Films, Lezlie Hall Associates, and, as of 2022, THE OFFICE. As an artist, Sarah has acted at venues in New York and all over the country, including the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the American Shakespeare Center, and Target Margin Theater. While not acting or bookkeeping, Sarah enjoys crocheting, reading, and eating ramen.

Design

  • Tess is currently a digital designer at Wyld. She has worked on projects for Williams Sonoma Inc., The Office Arts NYC, FreshGrass Festival, tiny desk, Studio 9, and more.

Advertising/Sales – No Depression

  • With over a decade with No Depression, Sonja is our skilled ads and sales manager who works with labels, artists, and other organizations that advertise with No Depression!

Website Development, Design

  • James is a valued member of the FreshGrass team and owner of the boutique web and design firm, Confit. James has worked with FreshGrass building and designing websites along with providing strategic digital consultation.

Special Projects, FreshGrass Institute

  • Todd Reynolds is a self-proclaimed ‘solo classical violinist gone horribly wrong’. For years the violinist of choice for contemporary artists such as Steve Reich, Meredith Monk, and Bang on a Can, he’s also a founder of the string quartet known as Ethel. As a frequent performer at Carnegie Hall and in concert halls around the world, his compositional and performance style is a hybrid of old and new technology, multi-disciplinary aesthetic and pan-genre composition and improvisation. He thrives on a stage, whether virtual or physical, encircled by many speakers and a mission control with which to record himself and compose in real-time. His musical weapon of choice is made up of hybrid technology from the 1800s to the 2100s - a classical violin wired into digital technology running through Ableton Live and Cycling 74's Max/MSP which was integral in creating his double-disc debut solo album Outerborough, released in 2011 on the Innova label. His thirty years of creating inside the music industry based in New York City have left him fortunate and grateful, with a bucket list of items greatly filled already, especially having collaborated with artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Todd Rundgren, Joe Jackson, Mark Mothersbaugh, and even Bruce Springsteen. He currently lives in the woods of Northwestern Massachusetts where he produces, records, coaches, streams, and supports like-minded artists through his education portal, Amplify This.

Programming – Folk Alley

  • Cindy is passionately motivated to connect communities through meaningful music. Based in the Boston area, she grew up in suburban Massachusetts with a relentless passion for music and broadcasting that all began with a clock radio stuck on the 90's top 40 station in Boston. At the dawn of the COVID Pandemic, Cindy found herself at historic Club Passim in Harvard Square as their Marketing Manager in a time of crisis. This position not only reunited her with a community she's been a part of for 20 years, it also put her on the front lines of connecting musicians with listeners. She spearheaded live streaming innovations for Passim as well as conceptualized and created The Passim Emergency Artist Relief Fund (PEAR Fund), which handed out micro grants to musicians suffering from lost income due to the pandemic. In 2018 Cindy launched her own music podcast: Basic Folk, featuring honest conversations with under the radar folk musicians. In addition to her radio and marketing work, Cindy has worked in playlist curating for restaurants and retail stores. She’s familiar with many different genres of music: folk, rock, world, hip-hop, blues and more.

Awards, Commissions

  • My strength lies in public programming and program development in non-profit community-based arts organizations. I hold two degrees from Western Kentucky University in Theatre and Community-Based Arts Development. I also hold a master's degree in Arts Management and Cultural Policy from Pratt Institute, where my capstone thesis combined body movement, gesture, and communication theory to build a community-based education framework for non-traditional leaders to use body language to decipher and build better communication across cultural barriers. My community work has been mainly forging connections with grassroots initiatives and artistic exploration and connection building. In my artistic life, I combine my interest in body movement, story and folklore with music and theater to explore memory, trauma, and identity as the things we carry and tools for transforming both our rural and urban communities and bridging the gaps between the two. In 2018, Amy Brooks and I co-founded the Cardinal Cross Arts Collective to create a platform to explore these aspects, specifically around Appalachian Identity through music, theater, and mixed media, through this endeavor we were able to create an open forum of conversation between urban and rural artmakers, and though this endeavor has closed, the conversations curated have remained open and a deeply rooted part of my work. I have over 6 years of experience in artistic producing, community organizing, strategic planning, and public programming. I serve on three boards where I provide community consult for strategic planning, programming and artistic management. I have served as an advisor for the Rural Assembly's Rural Women's Summit, as a guest facilitator for the International Storytelling Center- teaching on community and collective identity, and have consulted with various NYC organizations on grant writing.