Daniel Kellogg steps into the leadership role of Young Concert Artists with the unique perspective of an alumnus of Young Concert Artists, one of the extraordinary musicians whose careers were discovered and launched to prominence by this innovative non-profit organization. He is excited to help sustain the legacy of Young Concert Artists and to forge new paths to nurture the next generation of concert soloists and artistic leaders.

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Driven by her deep love of classical music, Christina Baker considers it a great joy and a personal mission to apply her considerable knowledge and experience to promote and mentor emerging classical artists in navigating their careers. Christina’s expertise in the classical music business is informed by over 20 years of artist management experience. She has been responsible for negotiating and securing engagements for many of the world’s leading orchestras and ensembles, classical soloists and vocalists, dance companies, and other major artists and high-profile attractions. Throughout her career, Christina has built relationships with orchestra management, performing arts centers, and festivals throughout the world.
Trained as a classical flutist, Christina holds an MFA in flute performance from Purchase College, State University of New York. She followed her passion for the performing arts in her work at Columbia Artists Management, Inc. and ICM Artists, providing adept arts administration, strategic booking and relationship building for numerous artists. As President of Baker Artists, LLC from 2013-2017 she build and nurtured a prestigious roster of instrumentalists and ensembles including Javier Perianes, Christina and Michelle Naughton, Vadym Kholodenko, David Krakauer, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Attacca Quartet, and The Westerlies.

Prior to joining Young Concert Artists, Christina most recently held the position of Manager of Artists & Attractions at Opus 3 Artists and signed and advanced the careers of such emerging artists as Blake Pouliot, Steve Hackman, and Oliver Herbert.

As  Chief Development Officer at Young Concert Artists Shannon Gibbons brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership management, fundraising, board development and recruitment, and strategic planning and implementation resulting in significant organizational growth for organizations. Her work has consistently supported the expansion of opportunities for individuals in the arts, technology, education and entrepreneurship. Prior to activity in the nonprofit sector Shannon was a jazz singer performing and recording with legendary musicians including Kenny Barron, Harry ‘Sweets’, Max Roach, Clark Terry and James Moody.

Erol Gurol started working for YCA in 2011 in the artist management department before moving to his current role in auditions and YCA presentations in 2015. Originally from southern California, Erol moved to New York City in 2005 to pursue Masters degrees in Music Composition and Theory from Mannes College, The New School for Music. He grew up studying classical piano, considers himself an expert when it comes to freshwater aquariums, and enjoys riding his bike.

Michael “Mic” Herring re-joins YCA as Senior Artist Manager after a number of years as an artist manager working with and learning from the renowned management teams at firms such as Kirshbaum Associates and Alliance Artist Management. He has been privileged to work with a plethora of inspiring artists and ensembles including The Tallis Scholars, Jordi Savall, and the Spektral Quartet, as well as the American Brass Quintet, the Danish String Quartet, Midori, and the Junction Trio. He has also been lucky enough to work with a number of former YCA artists including mezzo soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano and cellist Zlatomir Fung.

In addition to Mic’s work as an artist manager he has also served as the Managing Director of The Dessoff Choirs since 2016. Highlights of his work with Dessoff include a special performance of Mozart’s Requiem, celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, as well as the release of Dessoff’s third album featuring the first ever recording of Margaret Bond’s The Ballad of the Brown King on the AVIE Records label.

A graduate of the DePaul University School of Music, Mic holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. In 2018 he teamed up with violinist Janet Sung to co-found Chamber Music Chicago, a non-profit chamber music concert series in residence at the Holtschneider Performance Center.

Mic has previously held posts with the Marlboro Music as Manager of the Musicians from Marlboro, as well as Young Concert Artists as Operations Manager. He holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University where his research was focused on how non-profit arts organizations can be a catalyst for change within their communities.

Alana Klonoski is the Operations Manager at Young Concert Artists. After studying piano performance as an undergraduate and earning a Master of Business Management degree at the University of Florida, she moved to New York in 2017. Before joining the YCA team in 2019, she previously held the role of Booking Representative at Judson Management Group and spent a summer working with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Tanglewood Music Festival. Outside of work, Alana enjoys eating her way through New York’s restaurant scene, traveling, and is a self-proclaimed Broadway nut.  

Before coming to Young Concert Artists in 2020, Kelly Latchman worked for 12 years in the Diamond Industry as a full charge bookkeeper. As an avid art and music lover, she is excited to join the YCA team full time. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in Trinidad and has been living in New York ever since. In her spare time, Kelly takes full advantage of what the city has to offer and spends her time at museums, concerts, and seeing shows on broadway. 

Tim McCarthy has been at YCA for over 20 years and has been in charge of technology for most of that time.  Outside of YCA he is a strong and vocal advocate for the arts as he is both an active performer and an educator.  Tim lives in Washington Heights and spends most of his free time chasing around his 5 year old son!

Hanyi Meng joined YCA in 2019. Her role in the Development team includes fundraising, donor relations and communication, and event management. Before joining YCA, she worked in marketing at Steinway & Sons, New York, and served as an adjunct piano instructor at New York University. As a Chinese-born pianist, she is open-minded and curious about cultural diversity. She also volunteers at the French American Piano Society as Development Director and collaborates with artists all over the world. Outside of her work, she loves spending time wandering in the city and pursuing her passion as a “professional foodie” (Quote as she insists.)

Rae Perez (she/they) is an educator, multidisciplinary artist, and cultural worker engaged at the intersection of the arts, advocacy, and social justice. Rae’s work as a performer spans multiple genres, from classical to contemporary, to Afro-Cuban Jazz. She has appeared Off-Broadway, in poetry slams and readings, and as a featured vocalist in iconic venues including The Apollo, Carnegie Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, among others. As a Teaching Artist, Facilitator, and Mentor, Rae has held space for fellow adoptees, students, and refugee youth of all ages in both English and Spanish, and deeply believes in the transformative power of the arts in education. She has a deep-seated commitment to equity and expanding access to high quality arts and arts education to youth, families, and their larger communities. She was an Innovative Cultural Advocacy (ICA) Fellow with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) and an EMERGENYC Artist with The Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics. Rae holds a Master of Music in Classical Voice from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts with a Sociology minor from Marymount Manhattan College. Rae is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and the Music Advisory Board at The Bronx Music Heritage Center, and is thrilled to be part of the YCA community.

Michelle Shim joined the Young Concert Artists Development team in 2015, and currently serves as Development Manager.  Shortly after earning degrees in music education and clarinet performance, she began her work in the nonprofit arts sector as way to help students and young musicians of all backgrounds beyond the classroom.  As a fitness enthusiast, Michelle enjoys healthy eats and challenging workouts, but also loves baking (and eating) desserts of all kinds.

Emily Whildin is the Associate Artist Manager at Young Concert Artists and has worked here since 2014. Emily grew up in a musical family in eastern PA and pursued degrees in musicology and trumpet performance. Outside of YCA, you can find Emily biking to NYC breweries, playing trivia, and loudly singing all the extra-melodic parts to songs.