RiverArts, the 58-year-old arts organization serving Hudson River communities in lower Westchester County, has announced Kate Ashby as their new Artistic Director.
Joining Managing Director Josh Suniewick in a dual leadership structure, Kate will succeed long-time Director Doug Coe. Kate will be responsible for overseeing all the organization’s artistic activities including its multi-village Studio and Music Tours, Artist Conversations, its Music Program, Chamber Music Series, SummerArts workshops for kids and Annual Dance Concerts.
Kate Ashby brings to RiverArts an expansive background as a performer, educator, and arts manager. Kate has been actively engaged in the artistic life of the Rivertowns since 2011 and served as RiverArts’ Music Program Director from 2014-2018 where she helped grow the music program as well as bring dance programming to Hillside Elementary School in Hastings. Kate most recently worked with Primo Artists Management in New York, coordinating engagements for international classical conductors and soloists performing with national and international orchestras. She began her arts management career as a scholarship student at Paul Taylor Dance Company, followed by work with Merce Cunningham Dance Company and Bernstein Artists Management.
A native of Liverpool, England, Kate holds a BA (Hons) Degree from University of Kent / London Contemporary Dance School and in her early years studied music, dance and visual arts. As a professional dancer and choreographer, Kate performed with Pilobolus, Robert Battle and Merce Cunningham Repertory Group and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, as well as works by Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Pascal Rioult and others. Her performing career took her to venues throughout the US and Europe, including Lincoln Center, Jacob’s Pillow, London’s South Bank Center, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Teatro Reggio Parma. She has shared her love and knowledge of dancing with students at Farragut Middle School in Hastings as choreographer of some of their annual musicals.
Kate’s local musical endeavors include playing violin with the Westchester Chamber Soloists, an organization she co-founded with pianist Alan Murray, as well as Yonkers Philharmonic and Hudson Valley Music Club. She has also performed in RiverArts’ own Music Tour and coordinated chamber music programs bringing together players from across Westchester. She has had the pleasure of working with renowned conductors including Tong Chen, Kent Tritle and Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
RiverArts has such a long and distinguished history of bringing exciting and enriching artistic events and educational activities to the Rivertowns. I am honored to partner with RiverArts’ dedicated Board Members, staff and volunteers and look forward to exploring new initiatives and further developing our artistic vision to ensure the arts continue to flourish and inspire our communities.
— Kate Ashby
