MARSHFIELD — A Marshfield organization that connects Vermont communities to classical music through performances and other avenues has hired a Middlebury woman to be is inaugural managing director.
Lara Mones, who brings extensive arts administration experience to Scrag Mountain Music, said she was honored to work alongside founders and artistic directors Mary Bonhag and Evan Premo and the board to continue to grow the organization
“One of the things that drew me to Scrag, in addition to its exceptionally high-level of musicianship and amazingly innovative programming, is how organically integrated it is within the landscape of Central Vermont,” said Mones, who began her tenure March 15. “I look forward to becoming part of this community and working to forge new relationships and partnerships for the organization.”
A Middlebury College alumna, Mones arrives at Scrag after seven years as program officer and then senior program officer in the Performing Arts Department of Japan Society in New York City, where she coordinated programming logistics, marketing, and fundraising efforts for artists invited from Japan and cross-cultural commissions with artists from Japan and the U.S. She began her tenure at Scrag Mountain Music on March 15.
Bonhag noted Mones’s experience supporting artists and artistic vision and communicating that to the public.
“We are excited to have Lara on our team, as she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience that we know will help us grow in exciting ways to create more music in Vermont,” Bonhag said.
Mones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies from Middlebury College and a Master of Arts degree in Arts Management from American University. Professional experience includes: festival assistant for The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts JAPAN! Culture + Hyperculture Festival (Washington, D.C.), Festival and Projects Manager of Yellow Barn Music Festival (Putney, Vt.), and most recently senior program officer in the Performing Arts Department of Japan Society (New York). She served as a fellow with Emerging Leaders of New York Arts, a core volunteer for the New York chapter of Music for Food, and is currently an advisory board member of Kizuna Dance. She resides in Middlebury with her husband, who teaches at Middlebury College.
More information on Scrag Mountain Music is online at scragmountainmusic.org.