Cate Pisaroni — Reimagining How We Connect Artists with Audiences

What happens when arts marketers get caught in a loop of generic language like “spellbinding performances” and “timeless classics”?

Cate Pisaroni — Reimagining How We Connect Artists with Audiences

About episode 9 (out on March 20, 2025):

Cate Pisaroni, founder of Lenny’s Studio and representative for artists like Joyce DiDonato, Ailyn Pérez, Christian Van Horn, Quinn Kelsey, Stephen Costello, Evan Rogister and many more offers a refreshingly honest take on where arts marketing falls short – and how we can take it to the next level. Cate brings a wealth of experience to this conversation, sharing how meaningful content emerges when marketers step outside of their silos and immerse themselves in the artistic process.
I feel sometimes the repertoire is so vast and there’s so much amazing music… we all benefit from being part of the process and learning more about them Cate Pisaroni
This philosophy drives her approach to helping classical artists connect authentically with audiences. The discussion reveals Cate’s innovative marketing strategies, including the creation of the Liedstadt Festival, a festival she co-founded alongside tenor Julian Prégardien and musician-project designer Kian Jazdi. Liedstadt is a celebration of song that launched without a marketing budget, yet it managed to flood Hamburg with 56 concerts across 15 venues in a single day. By bringing performances to non-traditional spaces like bars, hospitals, and libraries, they removed barriers of intimidation and drew in younger audiences eager to experience classical music in accessible 20-minute segments. Beyond event marketing, Cate shares insights on what makes compelling visual communication, from concert posters that capture the spirit of a performance through thoughtful imagery and typography, to social media strategies that balance curation with spontaneity. Her advice on influencer collaborations emphasizes genuine connection over transactional relationships, while her thoughts on community engagement challenge organizations to reimagine how audiences experience performances. Whether you’re a marketer, artist, or arts administrator, Cate’s candid perspective offers practical wisdom for creating more authentic, engaging connections with audiences. Her parting advice?
Trust your intuition more, because it’s one of the things that is underestimated.Cate Pisaroni

Who is Cate Pisaroni?

Catherine was born in Austria, but considers the world her home. As the Principal and Founder of  Lenny’s Studio, her vision and passion for design and creative collaborations have been the foundation for Lenny’s Studio from the start. You can usually spot Cate with her trusty MacBook, pink backpack, coffee in hand, and opera dogs Lenny & Tristan at her side … all ready to take on the world 😉

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