2011-2021

Classical:Next

AN ANNUAL GLOBAL GATHERING FOR ALL ART MUSIC PROFESSIONALS FEATURING A CONFERENCE, EXPO, SHOWCASES, INNOVATION AWARD AND NETWORKING.

On behalf of Piranha Arts, the makers of WOMEX: the Worldwide Music Expo, I successfully designed the start-up and guided development of an annual, international, art music professionals’ forum which attracted 1,300 participants from 48 countries to its 8th on-site edition in May 2019.

Under my leadership, Classical:NEXT intentionally and successfully brought all facets of the ecosystem together in one place at one time (record labels, presenters, artists, managers, orchestras, higher education, arts councils, and more) for the purposes of maximum synergy potential.

Over the course of 3.5 days, the annual programme included a conference with approx. 40 sessions, 12 concerts, an expo of 90 stands, myriad networking events and an Innovation Award ceremony.

Reacted quickly to 2020 demand for a rapid pivot to online and thereafter refined design of online events.

Responsibilities included

overall direction – setting mission, goals, themes and priorities
targeting and establishing partnerships with high, medium and grass-roots-level leaders, influencers and associations around the world
stewardship of audience development and brand awareness; curation of opening concerts; shaping and facilitation of conference programme and each session
selection of each edition’s jury and facilitation of its annual meeting
conception of Innovation Award
initiating the Fellowship programme for emerging arts professionals.
supervising direct budget of approx. €500K and five team members