The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Ella Ilan

The Well Center: An Integrative Approach to Health

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PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

In the center of Armonk, a quiet integrative health practice is drawing people who are looking not only for symptom relief, but for a deeper understanding of their health and how to embark on a path to healing. The Well Center, founded by Armonk residents Deb Ross and Michele Zipper, brings together a range of practitioners and modalities under one roof, offering services that include acupuncture, functional diagnostic nutrition, massage therapy, somatic healing, and personal training.

Ross and Zipper have created a collaborative space where people could explore different approaches to care–and feel supported in figuring out where to begin.

“We can help you find your true center and your health again,” says Ross. “We live in a modern world that is in constant motion and are inundated with information and social media. People have forgotten how to be still, quiet and intuitive with themselves. This is a safe space to recharge.”

How the Well Center Came to Be

Ross and Zipper met shortly after they both moved to Armonk from New York City. It was a shared healer–someone both had worked with independently in the city–who first introduced them. The connection was immediate.

“We instantly clicked,” Zipper recalls, “and I knew this was going to be my person here.”

In 2018, during a casual conversation at a backyard party, Zipper mentioned she was thinking about opening a wellness center. Ross responded that she had just purchased the domain name The Well Center that same day. The two looked at each other and said, “Are we doing this?” and toasted to their new venture. After a year of planning and searching for the right location, the center opened in 2019, just months before the pandemic.

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

The two women were intentional about building a strong working relationship. Cautious, since they were also close friends, they worked with a mentor to learn how to communicate effectively and navigate differences.

“We wanted to protect the friendship,” Ross says. “So, we spent time really understanding how to work together.”

Two Backgrounds, One Philosophy

Ross is a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified herbalist who has practiced traditional Chinese medicine for over twenty years. Her approach is rooted in addressing what she describes as the underlying causes of symptoms rather than focusing on isolated complaints.

Zipper, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner, came to health and nutrition through personal experience. Originally trained as a graphic designer, she changed careers after navigating chronic and autoimmune health challenges within her family. She went on to study Health Coaching, Applied Nutrition and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, focusing in on the labs and science behind everything.

“I wanted to understand what was driving symptoms, not just how to manage them,” Zipper explains.

Though their professional paths differ, the two share a similar lens. Both describe health as an interconnected system and see diagnoses as useful descriptors–but not the end of the conversation.

“A diagnosis tells you what is happening,” Zipper says. “It doesn’t always explain why. What is the toxicity in your body? What’s in your gut? What is your endocrine system saying? We explore these things and create a recommended treatment plan.”

Pain as a Starting Point

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

Many people come to the Well Center seeking relief from pain, fatigue, anxiety, or other chronic concerns. According to Ross and Zipper, those symptoms are important–but they are often just the beginning. From their perspective, discomfort can have multiple contributing factors–physical, biochemical, emotional, and lifestyle-related.

“Pain is just the beginning of information,” Ross says. “It’s how the body gets your attention. Pain is often easier to focus on than feelings, but it can point to much more than what hurts.”

Clients describe this approach as attentive and individualized. Ali W., who receives acupuncture at the center, says Ross “is an outstanding practitioner who knows exactly what your body needs that day…I feel so grateful I have a center I can rely on for my mind, body and soul.”

An Integrative, Complementary Model

From the outset, Ross and Zipper were clear that the Well Center was not intended to replace conventional medical care. Instead, they describe their work as complementary.

“There’s no ego here and we know our limitations,” Zipper says. “This is not about replacing doctors.”

They regularly encourage clients to continue working with physicians and specialists and make referrals when something falls outside their scope.

Their philosophy centers on the idea of “and”–acupuncture and physical therapy, nutrition support and medication when needed, lifestyle changes alongside conventional treatment. The aim, they say, is to help people feel stronger, better supported and more informed as they navigate their care.

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

Rachel V., a working parent, described her experience with Zipper as thorough and collaborative. “[She] took the time to really dig in – ordering bloodwork and running key tests to get at the root cause – while also recommending a personalized mix of eastern and western practices. Her approach has been both holistic and practical!”

A Curated Team and a Guided Entry Point

The Well Center is home to a small group of practitioners, each with an established practice and a specific area of focus. Zipper and Ross emphasize that everyone who works there has been carefully vetted and is someone they have used themselves or on their family members. They have full confidence in the skill of their wellness experts, whether it’s Dr. Zev, who offers holistic chiropractic care; somatic healer Anu Abraham; massage therapist Donna Lynn; personal trainer Brett Landy; or any of their talented team members.

For new clients, the process often begins with a free 30-minute consultation, designed to help determine the most appropriate starting point.

“We don’t want people to feel overwhelmed,” Ross says. “Starting is usually the hardest part.”

They are upfront about the fact that healing is rarely linear. Lab work takes time. Progress often happens in layers. Education and personal engagement are central to the process.

“You have to participate in your own healing and do the work,” Ross explains. “We can guide you, but you’re not a bystander. You may have to change your mindset if you have normalized feeling crappy. You shouldn’t have to feel that way and you have permission to feel your best.”

Becoming a Community Resource

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

Since opening, the Well Center has become a familiar presence in the Armonk community. Zipper and Ross describe frequent calls and walk-ins from people seeking referrals or guidance.

“We want to be helpful,” Zipper says. “Even if that means pointing someone elsewhere.”

That trust is reflected in how clients describe the space. One such client is Brian H. who says Zipper “changed my life with her testing, counseling and dietary recommendations” and Ross “has also transformed my wellness through her incredible acupuncture treatments that are truly heaven on earth.”

Trust, along with education, excellence, and community, form the foundation of the Well Center’s guiding principles. The founders have recently expanded their educational efforts through a podcast focused on self-advocacy and helping people ask better questions about their health.

An Invitation to Listen

Zipper and Ross emphasize that openness–not certainty–is the starting point.

“There’s very little risk in exploring something like acupuncture,” Ross says.

At its core, the Well Center offers an invitation: to slow down, to pay attention, and to consider pain not as a failure, but as information. The Well Center is a place that gives its clients permission to breathe and to feel their best.

“The body already has the capacity to heal,” Ross says. “Sometimes it just needs support–and space–to do that.”

The Well Center is located at 430 Bedford Road, Suite 203 in Armonk. For more information, check out their website at www.thewellcenter.com

Steven Baruch – An Unexpected Path to Producing on Broadway & Building a Legacy

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In honor of upcoming Father’s Day, I sat down with Steven Baruch, adored father of Inside Press’ new publisher and editor, Elise Trainor. Baruch is a Broadway producer who has produced close to 100 shows in the last 40 years. As a young man, he never dreamt of a career in theatre. At age 86, he is still producing shows, running a Broadway oriented supper club, and remains an active member of the Westchester community serving as vice chairman on the Board of Directors of White Plains Hospital.

Westchester Roots

Baruch grew up in Hartsdale and graduated as valedictorian from White Plains High School in 1956. After graduating Yale with a philosophy major, Baruch joined his family’s commercial real estate company, Presidential Realty Corporation, in the same building in which his office currently sits in White Plains. He has worked in that office for 65 years, 25 of which he concentrated solely on real estate, never imagining a future in the theatre business.

You Never Know Where Life Will Take You

Whether by virtue of luck or entrepreneurial spirit, or a little of both, Baruch’s life changed in 1984 when he and his cousin/partner, Tom Viertel, traveled to Los Angeles on a recommendation to see the magicians Penn & Teller perform in a little West Hollywood theatre. Captivated by the show, they decided they had to bring them to New York. They partnered with Richard Frankel, an experienced theatrical producer who had the legal rights to the show.

Baruch enterprisingly phoned some wealthy real estate friends and offered, “How would you like to put ten thousand dollars into a little off-Broadway show?” So, they brought Penn & Teller to New York with twenty people invested at that amount each and, lo and behold, the critics loved them. It was a huge hit! They moved it to Broadway and toured all over the country. Audiences embraced the edgy performances of Teller doing stunts like hanging upside down over a bed of knives but never speaking and Penn’s hilarious and outrageous demeanor.

“To us, this was a one-off. We were never planning to do another one,” recalls Baruch. “But it was such a big hit and relatively easy, so we said, ‘let’s do one more.’” Their next one was the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy with Morgan Freeman in his first stage role.

Now, they were hooked! They began producing many small non-musical off-Broadway plays, which were virtually all financially successful. Throughout this adventure, Baruch had a full-time real estate job as president of his company, sitting in the very spot he sits in today.

“Tom, Richard, and I have worked together for 40 years with never a moment’s conflict or tension,” says Baruch. “It was just one of these very lucky relationships.”

Eventually, Baruch and his partners decided to tip-toe into the world of Broadway. They began by producing Smoky Joe’s Café, which became the longest running musical revue in Broadway history.

“It was a big hit, so we said, ‘hey, we know how to do musicals,’ so we started to become megalomaniacs and produced one after the other of these shows, like The Producers and Hairspray,” Baruch says. He is most proud of Hairspray, although he says working with Mel Brooks for The Producers was a huge kick.

His productions have won 51 Tony Awards, including a record-breaking 12 for The Producers. A broom sits in his office that says “clean sweep” with each of The Producers’ Tony Awards engraved along the broom handle. His office walls are covered with Tony nominations and various other awards.

Steve took me on a tour of the vintage colorful Broadway posters lining his office entry hall. It was a treat to hear tidbits about each of the shows, like how the 2-person play Love Letters attracted a revolving cast of many big Hollywood stars to its stage because it was a reading that required no learning of lines. It was wild to see Tony Award-winning Sutton Foster’s name as a relatively unknown on the Young Frankenstein poster. Baruch recalled being star struck by the famous actor Richard Chamberlain, who they cast as the captain in their Broadway revival of The Sound of Music.

What is a Producer?

Baruch says that the producer’s most important role is deciding what shows to mount – and then hiring the right people to execute the intended artistic vision… but a key aspect of this job is raising the capital, then marketing and running the business of the show.

Baruch explains that his group is unique in that they raise funds through hundreds of investors at relatively small amounts of money, so no one suffers significant loss. They have a list of 2000 investors around the world to whom they pitch their shows.

A Passion Project

Baruch and his partners were inspired to open a cabaret, supper club after producing Song of Singapore, a cabaret-style show with the audience seated at tables, and eating and drinking. In 2012, they created the Broadway-oriented entertainment venue, 54 Below, a place where Broadway performers could perform in an intimate setting. They employed Tony Award-winning set, lighting, and sound designers to design the space and worked with restaurateur Danny Meyer’s organization to teach them the restaurant business.

54 Below presents 700 shows per year, two per night, Sunday brunches, and private events. In 2023, 54 Below reclassified as a non-profit arts organization. It is a complicated endeavor with financial challenges, but Baruch finds this passion project hugely gratifying.

Recent Productions

Baruch’s most recent productions include Back to the Future (the musical) and The Roommate (starring Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone) – both on Broadway. Also, The Jonathan Larson Project featuring the previously unheard songs by the creator of Rent and shockingly died at age 35 the night before Rent opened off Broadway.

Grateful

Baruch and his wife of 60 years love living in Westchester. They have raised three children here and are now proud grandparents of seven grandchildren. One of his great joys has been taking his grandkids to see Broadway shows and backstage behind-the-scenes tours. “I get to be the cool grandfather,” and share my love of live theatre,” he says.

 

Kim Haas – On Health, Fitness & Gratitude

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A day does not go by where Kim Haas, longtime Armonk resident and personal trainer, doesn’t either run, walk, lift weights, do yoga, get on her peloton, or bike outside. It isn’t always easy, but she draws motivation from recognizing how exercise both makes her feel and heal.

Haas was always interested in physical fitness. Working in the fashion industry in her twenties and living above a gym in New York City, she regularly exercised and even worked in the gym. Later, as a mother of two living in Westchester, Kim became certified as a personal trainer when her youngest was in kindergarten. She started out at New York Sports Club and eventually focused her business on private clients. An intense exerciser herself and as someone who ran half marathons, she had found the perfect fit for her career.

Coping with the Challenge of a Lifetime

Living a busy life as a personal trainer and mother of two and seemingly the picture of health, Kim was devastated to learn that she was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of uterine cancer eight years ago at age 47. After months of powering through what felt like normal exhaustion, Haas went to her doctor about some episodes of abnormal bleeding.

“When I got the call from the doctor, it was like a gut punch,” recalls Kim. “I couldn’t absorb any information or make a phone call, so I had my husband and friends do everything for me. It was so out of character for me because I always do everything. But when it came to me, I was just paralyzed.”

Haas underwent surgery at a local hospital followed by grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at Memorial Sloan Kettering. She lost her hair, lost weight, and felt exhausted. Despite these challenges, she was determined to protect her high school daughter from seeing the degree of her sickness. Her older son was away at college. Kim would rise in the morning when her daughter went to school, be with her, and have friends drive her to school when possible so she didn’t have to fuss with her wig.

As soon as her daughter would leave for school, Haas would take her yoga mat and head to Equinox gym in town. Taking her position in a back corner of the room, she immersed herself in these yoga classes. When Kim started her yoga journey five years prior as a way to stretch after intense workouts, it was challenging for her to slow down, but she gradually grew to savor this time.

“It just really kept me going,” Haas reflects. “I had something to look forward to and it made me feel good. I was moving but not doing too much.”

Unable to run, she also made it a habit to walk every day. Bundling up in the winter, Kim was out there every day. “I was green and skinny and wearing a wig and I’m sure the whole world was noticing, but I didn’t care. I knew I had to get out and do my thing.” Returning home, she would nap, and then make sure to be back up to greet her daughter after school.

Erin, Aidan, Kim & Erik Haas

Marveling at how well she was doing and how she didn’t really need her nausea medication, Haas’ doctors questioned her about her habits. They surmised that her stretching and movement through yoga and walking alleviated her symptoms and indicated plans to study yoga’s beneficial effect on cancer patients.

Haas has since become certified as a yoga instructor. “I felt like yoga saved my life. It’s what got me through the day. Even now when I do yoga, it puts me in that space again. It’s just such a calming experience and feels like a mini vacation where everything else goes away.”

Carol Weston & Rob Ackerman, an Armonk couple, have been taking yoga under Haas’ tutelage for years. Ackerman has practiced yoga for 35 years, and among the many instructors he’s had, Haas stands out as exceptionally focused, thoughtful, and mindful. “She skillfully adapts her sessions for a group diverse in age and ability,” he says. “She models the poses beautifully, incorporates traditions like ending with “om,” and adds thoughtful touches, like lavender oil in savasana, enhancing the experience. She has a way of knowing what people need.”

“Yoga with Kim is such a delight,” shares Weston. “Rob and I have had the pleasure of practicing yoga with her at her home and, during the summer, on the deck of The Windmill Club. Sometimes we arrive harried and breathless, and she reminds us to…breathe. Her class is the right amount of challenging and she shares how to adjust movements. At the end, it’s like we’ve done a real re-set and are refreshed and ready to go back to our desks and lives. Namaste.”

Giving Back

When Haas was fighting her cancer battle, she discovered Soul Ryeders, a non-profit organization based in Rye that offers support to those impacted by cancer. Some of their offerings included events at salons offering reiki, massage, manicures, eyebrow tutorials, and wig trimmings. They also offer wig rentals. Kim donated her wigs and volunteers several times a month doing wig fittings. She also volunteers as a cancer peer mentor.

“Sometimes it’s very emotional for me but I find it really rewarding that I can give back,” reflects Haas.

Living Life to Its Fullest

This March, Kim will be seven years cancer-free. She is thankful for every day and is always on the move. She and her husband love to bike around Greenwich, Bedford, and Pound Ridge. “We live in the most beautiful part of the world and never take that for granted,” she says. They have set a great example for their children too. Their son does ironman races and marathons and their daughter is yoga certified and loves rock climbing.

Kim truly lives life to the fullest. She takes incredible care of herself, but she also pours her love and energy into others, making her a source of strength and inspiration to so many.

“If you don’t move and stay active in your twenties, thirties, and forties, it affects how you age in your fifties, sixties, and seventies,” says Haas. “You need to keep moving and keep going. That’s my motto.”

Anna Weber – Artistic Leader at the World’s Most Iconic Concert Venue

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PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

Living a stone’s throw from the cultural mecca that is New York City, it is no surprise that residing amongst us is someone who ensures the world’s most renown musical institution runs smoothly. Managing just about everything at Carnegie Hall, the premier destination for the world’s finest musical artists, is our very own neighbor, Anna Weber.

Carnegie Hall has hosted performances in its three iconic concert halls by the world’s finest musicians since 1891. From Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, the musical talent that has graced its stages is unsurpassed in its excellence. It has transformed from the 1950’s into a meaningful part of people’s lives through a commitment to music education and staging exceptional, world-famous musical performances. Weber, as the General Manager of Artistic and Operations, oversees the planning and implementation of 700 concerts and events each year, as well as the operations of the Resnick Education Wing.

Discovering A Career in Arts Administration

Growing up in nearby Harrison in a musical family, with a grandfather who was a professional musician playing in the big bands, Weber and her four siblings each played the piano amongst other instruments. Weber played flute in her high school marching band and orchestra, before moving onto other interests.

After college, Anna landed a job at the New York Youth Symphony, discovering her passion for arts administration. She navigated public relations, logistics, and the intricacies of orchestra operations. She later worked at the New York Philharmonic for nine years, eventually becoming Director of Operations. There, she organized subscription concerts, the free Parks concerts in all the boroughs, and their national and international tours.

Dream Job

Coming on board to Carnegie Hall almost 25 years ago, she began to make her mark managing productions and artist logistics. Now, as General Manager, she organizes performances at the Hall, festivals, and Carnegie Hall Citywide, a series of performances presented in venues across all five boroughs. She also oversees Ensemble Connect, a fellowship program for post-graduate musicians looking to make a real difference through music.

“I work with a phenomenal team that makes work inspiring and fun,” shares Weber. “Much of the role involves realizing an artist’s vision, scheduling, contracts, budgeting, problem-solving, logistics, and handling front of house and back of house operations.”

Elise Trainor sharing the Carnegie Hall stage with Anna Weber

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

There is no “typical day” for Weber. With concerts and rehearsals happening, and her team planning future seasons, she juggles multiple responsibilities. “It’s living in the present, living in the future, and trying to manage all of that,” says Weber. “It’s not your 9 to 5 job. There are evening concerts, and I get to hear great music. It doesn’t feel like work at that point. That’s a great perk of the job.”

Influences & Relationships Along the Way

“I have a phenomenal leader in Clive Gillinson, (Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director) who is not only a leader but a mentor for me,” says Weber. “He’s a real visionary, someone who leads with integrity, kindness, and humor – something that I try to emulate in what I do and how I lead.”

“Anna has led our artistic planning and implementation team at Carnegie Hall for over 20 years and she is the best person I’ve worked with in this role,” says Gillinson. “She is passionate about the Hall’s artistic and education mission and delivers on every aspect of her job with total commitment and a meticulous attention to detail… Her dedication to her work and her gift for friendship enable her to forge superb, collaborative relationships with artists, staff, partners, and the community. We are very fortunate to have Anna as part of our leadership team.”

Weber’s team, spanning different generations, also serves as a mentorship for her. “I’m constantly learning from my team members on how they think, solve problems, and how they are engaging with work.”

Anna has been most influenced by her mother, who earned advanced degrees, worked, and served on the Board of Education while raising five children. “I have no idea how she did it. She is a huge inspiration for me.”

“As a Trustee of Carnegie Hall for more than 25 years, I have had the pleasure of knowing Anna. Capable, calm, and always eager to help, she is a gem and a key player on the senior staff. Respected and adored by everyone, Anna shines with energy and joy,” says Susan Rose.

Living in the Byram Hills School District

Weber and her husband chose to live in the Armonk area as it allowed them to be close to family living nearby. Engaging with the Byram Hills schools, taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors at Cranberry Lake, enjoying the local restaurants, visiting the Armonk Art Show, and participating at CBY Synagogue have all contributed to Weber’s love of this community. Both of Anna’s daughters were devoted young soccer players and she enjoyed being a “soccer mom” and taking part in the athletic programs of the community. Although she loves the city, she enjoys coming home to the quiet suburbs.

Realizing a Vision for Carnegie Hall

Weber is passionate about bringing music beyond the concert hall. Carnegie Hall Citywide partners with neighborhood organizations and cultural institutions across the city to reach new audiences. “Music has the ability to impact people’s lives in so many ways and I think Carnegie Hall is not just a concert hall, but it is a place that is trying to use the power of the institution to bring music to the widest possible audience,” says Weber.

In pursuit of this vision, the hall has the free Citywide concerts, a digital channel, and the Weill Music Institute – the Hall’s education and social impact arm engages people of all ages in multiple ways, including working with the juvenile justice system. Annual citywide festivals such as last year’s focus on the Weimar Republic and this year’s celebration of Latin culture take audiences on immersive cultural journeys through music, dance, theatre, and literature.

For upcoming events at Carnegie Hall and more information, go to carnegiehall.org.

Caramoor – A Beautiful Oasis for Music and Art

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(L-R): Caramoor’s Marc Lowenstein, Adina Williams, Edward J. Lewis, III, Jessa Krick, and Olivia Ottinger
Photos by CAROLYN SIMPSON

Sitting on 80 scenic acres in Katonah, New York, is Caramoor, a historic estate, generously gifted to the public by its founders, Walter and Lucie Rosen. Caramoor is known for its music concert series, but many people do not know there is a historic site that is part of the venue as well. If you have not yet visited this haven for music and the arts, you should plan to attend a concert or take a tour. Even if you have already visited, the staff at Caramoor is consistently expanding Caramoor’s offerings, so there is always something new to experience.

Caramoor History

Walter Rosen, a successful lawyer and banker, and his wife Lucie Bigelow Rosen, were great lovers of art and music. The Rosens regularly hosted friends and family for intimate musical performances and lavish parties at Caramoor, their country estate.

World War II took a toll on the family. The couple was devastated when their son, Walter, a pilot for Royal Canadian Air Force, died in a wartime plane crash in 1944. Ten months prior, Walter Sr.’s sister Jeanne, who lived in France, was sent to Auschwitz and murdered. Wrestling with their grief, they chose to turn their tragic loss into something positive. In 1946, they graciously opened their house to the public, beginning what became Caramoor’s year-round music program.

Armonk Outdoor Art Show
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Welcoming A Broader Audience

Historically known for its classical music performances, Caramoor has now expanded to include many other genres, such as latin, jazz, roots, and global music. In recent years, Caramoor’s board and staff have focused their mission on growing their audience by both serving the desires of the community and by better reflecting the nature of the community through their programming.

Edward J. Lewis, III, President and CEO of Caramoor, joined in May 2021 with the charge “to make Caramoor more open and accessible to a broader and more diverse community that’s reflective of the county in which we sit.” Lewis, a Chappaqua resident, brings to the table his expertise gained from a remarkable career as a professional classical musician, an arts educator, administrator, and two decades of non-profit management and fundraising. “From these experiences and my lifelong passion for the arts, I bring this ability to help institutions find that essence of themselves and inspire a broader constituency to engage with it.”

“Over the past several years we have broadened our music programming to include more jazz, roots and global music while maintaining our core classical programming.” Lewis explained. “We also try to include a broad range of lived experiences in all the artists and genres we present to help ensure that our expanding and increasingly diverse audiences can hear themselves in the music and see themselves reflected back from the stage.”

World Class Performances

Marc Lowenstein, Director of Marketing and Communications, was brought on two years ago to assist in that mission. A common message that he has heard is “I’ve heard about Caramoor, but I’ve never been,” or “I don’t think they have the music that I’m interested in.” “In some ways it’s a challenge but it’s also a huge opportunity for the marketing department here knowing there’s this population that for whatever reason has not availed themselves of Caramoor.”

“The thing that makes it so special, other than the music and the art, which is certainly world-class on any level, is just the experience of being at this beautiful place is unrivaled by any performing arts center in the area. People ask me what show they should come see and I say, just pick a nice night when the weather is good, you may not know the artist…but I promise you, come early, bring a picnic, make a night of it, enjoy the music, and you will have a positive experience,” says Lowenstein.

Adina Williams, Director of School Programs and Community Engagement, was also recruited a few years ago to execute the new mission, redesign Caramoor’s educational offerings, and embark on their first intentional community engagement work. Williams channels her background as a former New York City public school teacher and her impressive career in arts administration and music management into her role at Caramoor.

“Caramoor advocates inclusive arts and education exploration,” says Williams. “We believe in an intercultural arts practice that actively involves artists and communities from a range of national and international ethnic and cultural groups, a breadth of physical and mental abilities, languages, social classes and gender identifications so that the voices and stories of the multiple publics that we serve are heard, expressed, and celebrated.

Our educational vision is bringing to life Caramoor’s extraordinary artistic heritage and future to as broad a spectrum of people, young and old alike, ages 0 to 100 plus.”

Williams designed the innovative Caramoor Kids program for elementary and middle school classes where students take a field trip to Caramoor and a Caramoor teaching artist visits their school based on an interdisciplinary curriculum. The immersive curriculum is available in both English and Spanish and can be tailored to meet a school’s specific educational goals.

As part of Caramoor’s community outreach initiative, Williams has organized roundtables with teachers, parents, conservatories, and community members, such as Neighbors Link, that help inform the programming. “Our mission is to have a deeper understanding of the value proposition of Caramoor to our many communities and how we can be a very rich resource for them, especially historically underserved communities in the region.”

This summer, Caramoor welcomed the community for a successful Juneteenth event, celebrating African American freedom and achievement. The free event featuring Charles Turner & Uptown Swing brought in about 1500 people for a fun-filled day with hands-on activities.

Caramoor also brings jazz performances to those incarcerated at nearby correctional facilities. “We want to be a conduit in which all of our community can live an art-filled life,” says Lewis.

“It’s all about equal access and not your life narrative, whether tragic or happy…and hopefully providing life changing experiences through arts and culture,” adds Williams.

Inspired by the Rosens, Caramoor’s leadership is clear-eyed in their mission. “We need to balance the reverence for and relevance of Caramoor,” says Lewis. “We have this rich storied history and if we remain true to the vision of our founders, this is a place where visitors can be refreshed and renewed by that convergence of exceptional music performances, the beauty of the art-filled historic home, and the gorgeous gardens and grounds. The Rosens left this legacy for us all to enjoy and I believe that together with our board, staff, artists, and volunteers, we all partner together as stewards of their legacy, and we revere its past. Our job, as I see it, is to assure that Caramoor continues to resonate with audiences and visitors of today and tomorrow.”

The Rosen House

Visitors can enjoy the Rosen House by taking a tour, booking an Afternoon Tea, or attending a concert in the Music Room or Spanish Courtyard. The Rosens were great hosts and the Caramoor staff continue in that great tradition.

Jessa Krick, Director of Interpretation, Collection, and Archives for the Rosen House, is also a recent addition to the Caramoor team, just having passed her second anniversary. Krick is responsible for the vast art collection and a trove of archival documents related to the family’s history. Krick is doing her utmost to make sure the collection is better known, and people realize they need to visit the Rosen House when they come for a concert.

Re-energizing the tours this year, Krick spearheaded the 2024 Focus Tour, highlighting works in the collection by women artists that previously never received much attention during their regular tours. “It has been fantastic fun to do the research for this and our docents have appreciated the chance to add new material to their tours. It has been so rewarding over the last year discovering the stories of these women artists. They existed in the archives, but surfacing their stories through our focus tour has been so exciting. I love it when people say, “I never knew that” – those are the comments we really love to hear.”

Dedicated Staff & Supporters

The consensus among the people that make this hidden gem run is that Caramoor is a great place to work. Box Office Manager Olivia Ottinger, who is also a talented opera singer, began her relationship with Caramoor after Caramoor musicians visited her high school for a master class and she thereafter joined their esteemed mentorship program. She says one of the most special things about Caramoor is the staff. “I have been lucky enough to end up with some of my best friends here. Two of us were just bridesmaids at the marketing manager’s wedding.”

“It’s a lot of hard work but there are always one or two shows a season where we get to stand in the back and watch everything we created come together. It’s nice to step back and experience it and think, ‘cool we did this,’” reflects Ottinger.

“It’s fun to be part of someone’s vision that was such an impressive human being [Lucie] and also to progress with the times and do it well,” says Events Operations Manager Aarti Gilmore. Gilmore manages much of the logistics and scheduling of volunteers, security and emergency personnel. “I make sure we deliver on what we promised, and everybody is comfortable and feels safe. My mission is to make people love Caramoor as much as I do and to ensure their experience is as worry-free as possible from the second someone engages to buy a ticket at the box office or online.”

“Our volunteers, ranging from high school age to retirees, are great ambassadors for us. They’re available throughout the property to answer any questions, including where their favorite spots are and where is the best place to take a photo.” One of Gilmore’s favorite spots is the peaceful Cedar Walk, a well-maintained pathway which holds the t(ch)ime sound art installation.

Caramoor is a nonprofit organization. The programming and the beautiful facilities offered are supported by concert attendance, individual donations, a dedicated board of trustees, and generous sponsors.

Upcoming Events

Although summer is Caramoor’s busiest season, there is plenty to look forward to this fall. Here are just some of the upcoming events. Caramoor’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, a free event, featuring the artist People of Earth, will be on September 29th. The annual cabaret show featuring Julie Benko and Jason Yeager will be on October 25th. Jazz icon Abdullah Ibrahim will perform on November 8th. The annual fall benefit on December 7th will feature American folk band Bonny Light Horseman. December will offer the immensely popular holiday tea musicales. Caramoor’s first-ever Hannukah show, featuring Nefesh Mountain Band, will take place on December 12th. For the full schedule, tickets and additional information, go to caramoor.org.