Old Town School of Folk Music’s board of directors has named music and performing arts leader Welz Kauffman as its next executive director and CEO, a press release announced.
Kauffman’s first official day as the Old Town School’s next leader will be Monday, Sept. 30.
Kauffman is perhaps best known to Chicagoans as the long-time President & CEO of the Ravinia Festival where he led nearly two decades of transformational growth. During his tenure, he rejuvenated and expanded educational programs through Ravinia’s Reach, Teach, Play initiative and its acclaimed Steans Music Institute. In addition, Kauffman commissioned original works from such diverse artists as Lita Grier, Bill T Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Ricardo Lorenz, Bobby McFerrin, and Nico Muhly.
Previously, Kauffman was director of artistic planning for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the artistic administrator for the New York Philharmonic.
Since stepping down from Ravinia in 2020, Kauffman and husband Jon Teeuwissen have made their home in Tucson, Arizona. There, Kauffman has served as a consultant to performing arts organizations, including the Music Institute of Chicago and True Concord Voices & Orchestra, where he also served as managing director from 2020 to 2021.
“I could not be more honored to collaborate with the Old Town School’s teaching artists, staff, board, and community as we guide and grow the next chapter of this beloved institution,” said Kauffman. “Music is a universal language and a powerful connector across communities and cultures. We need this language now more than ever. The Old Town School is a Chicago treasure, where music-making and community-building go hand in hand.”
Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music is the largest community school of the arts in the country and a non-profit organization committed to bringing people together to learn, create, perform and enjoy music and dance.