PRESIDENT
tbannister@concertartists.org
212-333-5200 x 1001

A pianist and 2003 Winner of CAG’s Competition, Tanya Bannister has made a versatile career immersed in both tradition and entrepreneurship, seeking to create projects that inspire genuine connections between music and the world we live in. In addition to an active performing career, she has developed an interest in institution building in the arts over many years, principally through her work as Artistic Director of Alpenkammermusik, an annual chamber music festival in Austria, and as a founder of RoadMaps, an artistic, humanitarian and cultural venture. Born in Hong Kong, Tanya holds degrees from the Royal Academy of Music in London, Yale University, where she studied with Claude Frank, and New York’s Mannes School of Music, where she received an Artist Diploma as one of a handful of pianists selected to study with Richard Goode. She joined CAG as President in July 2018.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
ARTIST MANAGEMENT AND BOOKING, EAST COAST BOOKING AGENT
kbackus@concertartists.org
212-333-5200 x 1016

Originally from Rhode Island, Katie Backus is now based outside of Burlington, VT. A violinist and violist, she received a degree in music education from the University of Rhode Island, and taught strings both in public schools and privately for ten years in New Hampshire before moving to Vermont. Katie comes to CAG after nearly a decade as an Artist Manager and Booking Agent at MKI Artists where she worked with a prestigious roster including CAG alumni ensembles the Pacifica Quartet and Parker Quartet. In her spare time Katie can be found running, hiking, skiing, baking, and enjoying time with her pug, Seamus.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMS
hbuck@concertartists.org
212-333-5200 x 1014

Heather Buck joined the CAG team having forged a career for more than two decades as a GRAMMY-nominated opera singer whose repertoire stretched from early music to standard works to world premieres. She has performed in concerts, operas, and recitals on stages both large and small in Europe, Asia, and North America. Her work with CAG is additionally informed by her experiences as a voiceover artist, voice teacher and mentor, and by her role as leader of a family foundation. She earned degrees from Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Tufts University, and Yale University, and holds a Certificate in Arts Management from NYU.

MANAGER OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
kross@concertartists.org
212-333-5200 x 1015

Originally from Central Pennsylvania, Kelsey Ross is currently based in Baltimore, MD. Before joining CAG’s team, she was fourth horn in the Sarasota Orchestra, and has also spent summers performing at the Aspen, Britt, and Lakes Area Music festivals. Kelsey earned both her Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In her free time, Kelsey loves knitting sweaters, going on walks with her dog Rusty and playing with her cat Maui.

COMMICATIONS ASSOCIATE
csands@concertartists.org

Originally from Destin, FL, and now based in New Orleans, LA, Cari Sands is an avid clarinetist and educator. As a supporter of new music and multi-discipline performances, Cari is a sought after contemporary and collaborative artist. She has participated in over 20 world premieres, performing works by Michael Daughtery, James May, Jang Hyun Kim, and others. Cari holds an Honors B.M. in Clarinet Performance from Louisiana State University, and is nearing completion of her M.A. in Arts and Culture Marketing from the University of Denver. Outside of her musical endeavors, Cari stays busy as a social media coordinator and boutique manager, and loves enjoying all the great food and entertainment NOLA has to offer.

OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
lhaight@concertartists.org

Luke Haight is a classical saxophonist hailing from Clarkston, MI. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Arts & Cultural Management from Michigan State University (MSU). Luke is a founding member of the saxophone quartet, PULSE, which has competed and placed at prestigious competitions including Fischoff, Coltman Chamber Music, NOLA Chamber Fest, North American Saxophone Alliance, and the Barbra Wagner Chamber Music Competition. In addition, Luke was as an artist in residence for the Manitou Music Festival in 2023. Luke's professional work experience includes artist management, social media marketing, and project planning for organizations such as Sky 3 Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Interlochen Public Radio, and the University Arts and Collections at MSU. Beyond his musical pursuits, Luke is passionate about fitness, travel, and the great outdoors.

CONTROLLER
lisa@lisacnunezcpa.com

Lisa has 10 years of experience working as an accountant and started Lisa C Nuñez, CPA in 2019.  She gained her experience working under her father, who has run a successful accounting firm for over 25 years. While working as an accountant at Edward L. Monaco, CPA, she got her MBA from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College in 2015, followed by her CPA license in 2017. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys kick-boxing and spending time with friends and family.

BOOKING AGENT - WEST COAST
kbarnes@concertartists.org
212-333-5200 x 1019

A lifelong Vermonter, Kate lives in the woods near the Canadian border. After graduating from Brown University with a major in history and a focus in creative writing, Kate worked in IT in San Francisco before moving back east. She spent 15 years in classical arts management, pausing to hang out with her three kids during the pandemic before working as an editor at a major ad agency. Kate has served as a hospice volunteer, a school board member, and a soccer coach, and in her free time loves reading, running, live music, and Vermont’s incredible craft beer and food scene. Kate, her husband, and the kids share their home with two enormous dogs and a resentful, tiny three-legged cat.

MANAGEMENT ASSISANT
arbarnes@concertartists.org

Originally from Vermont and now based in the Bronx, Anna-Rose is pursuing degrees in art history, Spanish, and history at Fordham University. She is deeply involved in community organizing in both Vermont and New York, and in high school ran the Coalition for Community Service, a waystation for local needs and solutions. A former violinist and competitive swimmer, Anna-Rose has previously worked as a math tutor, a swim coach, and a dog-walker. In her free time, Anna-Rose loves swimming, hiking, reading, and hanging out with her three dogs.