KATONAH, NY (Tuesday, August 21) – Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts today announced that Jeffrey P. Haydon has been appointed its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 17, 2012. He succeeds Michael Barrett, who had been Caramoor’s Chief Executive and General Director since 2003. Mr. Haydon currently holds the position of Executive Director of the Ojai Music Festival, in Ojai, California.
“I thank Caramoor’s Board of Trustees for the opportunity to join the organization as CEO,” said Mr. Haydon. “Caramoor presents one of the most renowned summer music festivals in the country, attracting leading global music talent performing in intimate settings at one of America's most storied estates. Caramoor is unique in the world and the opportunity to lead it is irresistible.”
"It has been my enormous pleasure and privilege to work with Jeff Haydon in Ojai for these past nine years.” Ojai Music Festival Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris commented, “He has played a key role forging strong relationships with the audience, volunteers and the community, and has been a steadfast partner in developing and expanding the Ojai Music Festival. I wish him the very best in his new position at Caramoor."
“We welcome Jeff Haydon as Caramoor’s new CEO” said Board Chairman James A. Attwood, Jr. “His extraordinary success over the past nine years at Ojai makes him the ideal choice to lead Caramoor, one of the finest and most intimate music destinations in the country. We look forward to working with Jeff as we expand Caramoor’s audience and programming.”
Mr. Attwood continued, “I would like to thank the search committee and the Board of Trustees for their hard work throughout the selection process. We would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions made by former Chief Executive and General Director Michael Barrett during his decade of leadership.”
Jeffrey P. Haydon has led the Ojai Music Festival as Executive Director since 2003. Under his leadership, he has moved the Festival through a number of major transformations to further position it as one of the preeminent musical destinations for artists and audiences alike. Haydon doubled its budget and helped triple the number of artistic and educational programs produced at Ojai – all while improving its balance sheet. Haydon also led the effort to raise over $4 million and manage the project to rebuild Ojai’s 1,000 seat Libbey Bowl. He previously held positions with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Aspen Music Festival. As part of the League of American Orchestras’ Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, Haydon worked with the Baltimore Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Seattle Symphony. He has also managed the Cultural Events performing arts series in Tacoma, Washington.
A native of California, Haydon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration through the Business leadership honors program and a minor in music from the University of Puget Sound. He also completed the Stanford Business School’s competitive Executive Non-Profit Leaders in the Arts program in association with National Arts Strategies.
Caramoor, a renowned performing arts center founded in 1946, is the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen. It is located on a historic 90-acre setting of Italianate architecture and gardens in Westchester County, NY. Caramoor enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality. Its mission also includes mentoring young professional musicians and providing educational programs for young children centered on music. The Festival is often described as “a Garden of Great Music,” where audiences are invited to come early, explore the beautiful grounds, enjoy a pre-concert picnic, and discover beautiful music in the relaxed and intimate settings of the Venetian Theater, Spanish Courtyard, Music Room of the Rosen House, and the magnificent gardens. With its unique heritage, Caramoor remains a place which is shared and enjoyed by thousands.
