Kyle Barrett Price
Founder, Artistic & Executive Director
Kyle Barrett Price, Founder, Artistic & Executive Director of Caroga Arts Collective, spent his childhood summers in Caroga Lake where his grandmother resides. At age 19, his dream of bringing his friends to play chamber music in Caroga Lake became a reality when he founded the Caroga Lake Music Festival in 2012. Since then, Kyle has been passionate about making the arts accessible in the Adirondacks while building special connections with artists and communities and opening new doors of creative possibilities in both the art and the community.
Kyle Price, cellist, and member of the Cavani String Quartet, is nationally recognized for his multi-faceted musical career, innovative leadership style, and his advocacy for collaborative programing in the arts and humanities. His profound love of chamber music began as part of a family of dynamic musicians at The Chamber Music Connection, (Columbus) where he had the opportunity to work with some of the most respected and acclaimed musicians of our time, including members of The Cleveland, Cavani, Emerson, Guarneri, St Lawrence,and Brentano String Quartets. He has performed at internationally renowned music festivals such as The Perlman Music Program, Banff School of the Arts, and has been featured as a guest artist on NPR’s From the Top!. Kyle’s appearances include universities around the U.S. and abroad, most recently performing Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos with the Lacrosse Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin Philharmonic. Honors and prizes include the 2018 Schubert Club Competition, Grand Prize winner of the 2015 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and Honorable Mention recipient in the 2017 Gershwin International Music Competition. Kyle is a founding member of the KASA Quartet, Grand Prize winners of the 2017 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. In addition to his cello studies, Kyle has been composing from the age of 10, and has distinguished himself with an original voice, receiving commissions from the Johnstone Fund for New Music, Chamber Music Connection and performances by Calidore Quartet, Chamber Music Connection Orchestra, Carpe Diem String Quartet, KASA Quartet, UW-Madison Orchestra, National Summer Cello Institute and Caroga Arts Ensemble.
Kyle’s energized and passionate chamber music experience, was a catalyst for his vision to form an artist -led creative community, and resulted in his creating the Caroga Lake Music Festival in 2012 and Caroga Arts Collective in 2016. In his role as Artistic and Executive Director, Kyle has grown the organization from a “homemade” music festival of eight musicians in his grandmother’s house, to an organization that hosts five programs over the course of a calendar year, that features 150+ artists, attracting 8,000+ individuals to the small Adirondack town of Caroga Lake, NY (population 518) annually and is widely regarded to be the pride and joy of the community and a model for artist-led festivals around the country.
Kyle completed his Masters and Doctorate of Music Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as full Fellowship Teaching Assistant under renowned pedagogue cellist and Feldenkrais practitioner, Uri Vardi. Kyle received his Bachelor of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music under the tutelage of cellist and former Cavani Quartet member, Merry Peckham. When he isn’t practicing or, writing grants, Kyle is an avid basketball player, and enjoys celebrating team-work in every form, be it sports or music.
Stephanie Price-Wong
Associate Executive Director
Stephanie Price-Wong is nationally recognized for her genre-busting concerts, dynamic teaching style, progressive administrative work, advocacy in pedagogy, and leadership in training the next generation of music entrepreneurs. Stephanie developed the String Program and Arts Collaborative Education Program, helping to bring string instruments back into Fulton and Montgomery county schools. Stephanie moved to Caroga in 2022 from Columbus, Ohio where she was the Assistant Artistic Director and Fellowship Program Director of the Chamber Music Connection from 2014-2024. Stephanie has been an active private studio teacher since 2006 and served as the Adjunct Viola Professor at Ohio University from 2015-2023. She is a founding CLMF resident artist and member of the award winning KASA Quartet, who performs regularly with renowned saxophonist, Eddie Barbash. Stephanie holds degrees from Eastman School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music.
Elizabeth Macintosh
Director of Artistic Operations
Violist Elizabeth Macintosh, a native of Columbus, OH, began studying the violin at the age of three. When she was 14, she began playing the viola in order to form a string quartet with her pre-existing ensemble of three violins and a cello. Elizabeth has been a part of the Caroga Arts Collective team since 2017 and has been delighted to be a part of its growth over the past seven years. In May of 2022, she graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.M. in Viola Performance, a certificate in Musical Entrepreneurship, and minors in Business, Economics, and German Studies. In May of 2024, she graduated from Eastman School of Music with a M.M. in Viola Performance. She currently lives in Boulder, CO, and enjoys baking, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Tara Hanish
S.P.A.C.E. Program Administrative Assistant
Originally from Michigan, Tara called Cleveland and NYC home before landing in Upstate NY. She is currently a member of the Fenimore Chamber Orchestra, Glens Falls Symphony, Catskill Symphony, and performs with the Albany Symphony, Candlelight Concerts, Albany Pro Musical, and with her post-rock band, “You Bred Raptors.” Tara has also enjoyed sharing the stage in support of renowned artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Leonard Slatkin, Joshua Bell, The Foo Fighters, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Buble, Kanye West, and Josh Groban.
Tara is an Associated Faculty member and Administrative Assistant for the Caroga Arts SPACE program, and also maintains a private studio in the Capital District area. Tara received her Professional Studies diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music (Richard Aaron), M.M. from the University of Miami (Ross Harbaugh), and B.M. from the University of Michigan (Anthony Elliott).
More information on Tara can be found at: www.TaraHanish.com
Kat Lacombe
Production and Communications Assistant
Kat Lacombe, a singer-songwriter from Southington, CT, has been passionate about music since she was a child and continues to write and perform whenever she can. Now a junior at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Management and Commercial Voice. Kat’s journey with Caroga Arts began as a Festival Management Intern in the summer of 2024, where she helped organize over fifty performances and community events. Her strong work ethic and love for the arts led her to accept a part-time role as a Productions & Communications Assistant, where she assists with off-season productions both remotely and on-site. Balancing her studies with her artistic career, Kat is eager to continue growing in both artistic and managerial roles.
Kathy Manning
On-Site Manager
Kathy Manning is a retired Registered Nurse, has been married 41 years, and has 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. She was employed by Valley Central Middle School as a school nurse for 20 years, where she cared for students and staff and handled their medical needs. During her time at Valley Central Middle School, Kathy was a member of the New York State School Nurses Association and organized first aid classes, blood drives, exercise classes, medical education classes, food/gift/clothing drives, and developed the district emergency response plan. Additionally, Kathy has worked for 40 years for her family’s private contracting business as Vice President and Bookkeeper.
Kathy is a long-standing Caroga Arts volunteer and member of the Advisory Board. Prior to becoming the On-Site Manager, Kathy was responsible for selling CAC merchandise, organizing the annual gala, and helping to maintain the gardens at Sherman’s. In addition to her work with Caroga Arts, Kathy is a Trustee of the Caroga Historical Museum.
Kris Smith
Facilities and Grounds Coordinator
From Gloversville, NY, Kris Smith manages the facilities and grounds at Sherman’s Park and plays an integral part in executing Caroga Arts events and concerts at Sherman’s throughout the year. Kris has been operating the Sherman’s Carousel prior to Caroga Arts owning the property and it has become one of his favorite parts of the job. Prior to joining Caroga Arts as Facilities and Grounds Coordinator, Kris was employed at the Magic Forest Amusement Park in Lake George, NY.
Lorrie Mott
Financial Administrator
Lorrie Mott began her love for music in the first grade while taking piano lessons. Being part of yearly competitions and taking on flute lessons only solidified that joy. She taught herself every instrument that her friends and family played and took a year of cello which turned out to be a favorite instrument. While her career went in another direction, music was always a focal point and it even helped her gain employment in the computer field due to the logic they knew came from a musical background. Lorrie retired from Eaton/Crouse-Hinds with a 23-year career in electronic data interchange and computer programming. A degree in Accounting brings her back to Caroga Arts as their Financial Administrator. She is a long-standing Caroga Arts volunteer and very excited about the future here at Sherman’s where she once enjoyed many Sundays as a child. Lorrie and her husband Bob have decided to make Caroga their year-round home which they will enjoy with their three daughters and their families. She looks forward to making Sherman memories with their grandchildren.
Concetta Sager
Administrative Coordinator
Concetta and her husband, Richard, are long-time Johnstown residents and have two daughters and 4 grandchildren. Concetta retired after a long career in telecommunications at Frontier Communications, where over her tenure, she progressed from operator to service representative roles to various management positions, in Strategic Accounts Services, Network Cost and budget management, overseeing a staff of twenty-six employees. She is a Trustee for the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Johnstown, a volunteer at the Sunflower Shoppe , and a member of the 100 Women Who Care organization.
Ronald Lau
Production Manager
Ronald Lau is a concert pianist, teacher, and recording engineer based in Toronto. He performs extensively as a solo pianist, collaborative pianist and cross-discipline pianist, performing with dancers. His debut solo album “Hiller and Schumann” was released in 2020 and has received astounding feedback. Besides performing, he has taught piano in both private studio and music schools since 2005 and has students ranging from beginners to young professionals. He believes in encouraging and leading students to an active learning state by stimulating their curiosity, interests and critical thinking in the learning process.
As a recording engineer, Lau has participated in the production of numerous commercial releases, including Hot Tamale Louie: The Story of Zarif Khan by John Rapson; Ich Denke Dein – Songs and Chamber Works of Nikolai Medtner by Rachel Joselson, Sasha Burdin and Scott Conklin; Portuguese Perspectives by Courtney Miller and Minji Kwon; Music for Strings by David Gompper; and Brahms In Transcriptions by pianist Uriel Tsachor.
Lau completed his Doctor of Musical Arts and master’s degree at the University of Iowa under the mentorship of Uriel Tsachor. While at UI, Lau studied in master classes and private coaching sessions with numerous other celebrated artists, including Daniel Shapiro, Asaf Zohar, Roberta Rust, Uri Vardi, Rich Shuster, Jane Solose, Janis Vakarelis, Yen-Tim Timothy Li and Ting Zhou. He received his Bachelor’s degree at the Hong Kong Baptist University under the guidance of pianist Amelia Chan.
Deborah Barrett Price
Artistic Advisor
Violist Deborah Barrett Price is recognized throughout the country as an innovative pedagogue and versatile performer. She is the founder and artistic director of the Chamber Music Connection, Inc. (CMC), a nationally recognized program providing education, service and performance opportunities to students of all ages and skill levels. In recognition of her work as a chamber music entrepreneur, pedagogue, and performer, Debbie has received numerous awards, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Award for Extraordinary Service to Chamber Music, the Alumni Achievement Award from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Community Educator of the Year. She has also received multiple nominations for the Ohio Governor’s Award for Arts Education and Arts Administration.
Hinano Price
Executive Advisor
Hinano Price serves as the Artistic Producer at Ravinia Festival in Chicago, the oldest music festival in North America and summer home for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Previously, she held positions in operations and artistic at Classical Movements, National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center, Bravo! Vail Music Festival, and Overture Center for the Arts and has additional experience in marketing, development and education in the arts. A graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, Hinano made her concerto debut at Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center at age 18 and performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and the United Nations. Hinano has been part of the Caroga Arts team since 2015.
Kim Hart, Marketing Liason
Kate Healey, Development Coordinator
Nancy Purcell, Volunteer Coordinator
Cassandra Lyons Querques, Branding & Design Consultant
Mary Grace Rohrs, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinators
Lorraine Carlson, Meal Program Advisor
Kathy Manning, Merchandise Manager
Genia Meinhold, Meal Program Advisor
Jim Meinhold, Volunteer Grants Coordinator
Mary Peck, Housing Coordinator
Lynn Wilson, Meal Coordinator
