Shirley Kirshbaum founded the company Kirshbaum Associates in 1980 and quickly established a reputation for distinguished and personalized artist management as well as creativity in public relations and marketing. She is privileged to work with a dedicated team, renowned leading artists, and exceptional new talents. Shirley has given arts related presentations, participated on panels, advised young musicians, has been an active member of industry organizations for decades, and has served on the board of Chamber Music America. Born into a musical family, she graduated with honors in piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Her passion for classical music brought her to London where she began her career at Harold Holt and Ingpen and Williams before joining ICM Artists in New York during its formative years. Guilty pleasures include reading, films, chocolate, wine, Lady Gaga, and Patsy Cline.

Jason Belz joined Kirshbaum Associates in 2000, having graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Arts Management and Arizona State University with a Masters in Oboe Performance. He is an active member of APAP's Classical Connections Committee, YPCA (APAP's Young Performers Career Advancement program). Jason has served as juror for YPCA and is a frequent guest speaker at universities and conservatories, leading lectures aimed to strategize career paths for young aspiring musicians. Besides music, Jason is an avid gardener and he loves to travel, having been to all lower 48 states and 4 continents so far.

Peri Stedman joined Kirshbaum Associates in 1993 after graduating with honors from Smith College with a French Language & Literature major and a Music minor. Through her on-the-job experience in artist services she has honed her skills as a travel and event planner, program coordinator, immigration consultant, uncertified CPA and all-around concierge to our eminent roster of artists whom she is honored to represent. Outside of the office she enjoys traveling, attending concerts and cheering on her beloved Boston sports teams.

Beverly was Director of Public and Media Relations for nearly a decade at New York’s 92nd Street Y, where she spent 17 years in the communications department. As one of 92Y’s senior staff, she advised and collaborated with colleagues across the organization on messaging and communications strategy. She led a PR team that was responsible for securing media coverage of 92Y’s vast array of programs, including classical, jazz and popular music concerts. Beverly was a singer-songwriter on the New York folk scene of the 1980s and ‘90s, and two of her songs were recorded on “Fast Folk” compilations. During the same period, she also booked the storied Postcrypt Coffeehouse at Columbia University. More recently, Beverly was the proud winner of a story slam at The Moth, where she enjoys both telling and listening to stories. She has one grown offspring, is an avid figure skating fan, and lives in Jersey City with her husband and two cats.

Shoshana Klein is an oboist, contemporary musician, and arts administrator. She has a Bachelor's of Music and Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Master's in oboe from McGill University. In addition, she was part of the 2021 Global Leaders Program Cohort and a co-founder and co-director of zFestival, a virtual new music festival. She likes improvisation, different types of folk music, books, and plants. You can find more information about Shoshana's performance work at https://shoshanaklein.wordpress.com/.

Ashley Baier joined Kirshbaum Associates in 2007 shortly after moving to New York City. As a percussionist and drummer, she has performed on Broadway with Six, Suffs, and The Lightning Thief, and with artists including PitchBlak Brass Band, The Bengsons, Brass Queens, and Kermit the Frog. She holds an MM from the Mannes School of Music and a BM from the University of Maryland. A native of Cumberland, Maryland, she now resides in Brooklyn. Her favorite composers are Debussy, Stravinsky, and Trey Anastasio. www.ashleybaier.com

Amaris Smith is a Sarah Lawrence College graduate with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts with a Music concentration. She is primarily a vocalist, singing mostly jazz and contemporary, but has also studied music production and piano. In her time at SLC, she was also granted an opportunity to study voice and opera history in Milan, Italy. Prior to joining Kirshbaum Associates, Amaris has worked in other creative industries such as set design and arts education. Her passions outside of the arts include activism, travel, and working with children. Outside of work, you can find her at a concert, skateboarding/roller skating, or eating.

Peter Ecklund is a bassoonist and arts administrator who lives in Chicago, IL. Peter has degrees from the University of Michigan, the Eastman School of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. He has been a fellow at festivals including the Sarasota, Aspen, and Tanglewood Music Festivals and is currently a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Peter’s favorite composers are Mozart, Stravinsky, and Brahms. When not working or making reeds, Peter enjoys cooking and walking by Lake Michigan.