Photo of Welz Kauffman at Ravinia’s Martin Theatre.
The Old Town School of Folk Music has named Welz Kauffman as its new executive director and CEO.
An acclaimed performing arts leader, Kauffman is no stranger to Chicago and its fine arts scene. His longest tenure to date has been with the Ravinia Festival, where he served as the president and CEO for two decades. Kauffman was one of the festival’s key drivers of innovation: under his leadership, Ravinia expanded a host of educational programs via the festival’s Reach Teach Play initiative, and led developments in the festival grounds.
His time at Ravinia also saw the festival branch out to a wider array of music performances, from Bob Dylan to Lauryn Hill and Lady Gaga. Kauffman also worked to establish Ravinia as a space for classical music premieres. Thanks to his influence, Ravinia audiences were the first to experience original works by artists like Ramsey Lewis, Bobby McFerrin, and Nico Muhly. Ravinia even became the venue for a US premiere of Princess Magogo, the first opera sung in Zulu.
Kauffman stepped away from his post at Ravinia at the end of the 2020 season, following a mostly silent COVID-19 summer. He has kept close ties with Chicago even after leaving the festival; for the past several years, Kauffman has served as a consultant to the Music Institute of Chicago, among other organizations.
Kauffman succeeds Jim Newcomb, who departs the Old Town School after five years as CEO. Newcomb’s tenure saw the organization adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and adopt its first faculty union agreement.
Welz Kauffman’s first day leading the Old Town School will be Monday, September 30, 2024.
