who we are
We are an artist-first organization that supports and fairly compensates premier musicians, bringing high-quality acoustic music to Hudson County through accessible performances and educational programs. We are a group passionate about music and have all been deeply involved in presenting music over the years in Jersey City and Manhattan. In 2016, we decided to pool our efforts and create a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization manned by professionals that volunteer time and knowledge to present premier music events.
We want to enable fine musicians to earn a living from their art. We want to help the larger community hear high quality music and gain a greater appreciation. Our vision is to pull together musicians and the community for the sustenance and enjoyment of both.
Hudson West Fest previously held an all-day music festival but has now expanded its music programming over the years to include year-round Concerts, School Music Programs, Songwriter support and brings free music to our community.
Be sure to sign up on our Mailing List so that we can keep you updated about our concerts and our other music programs.
board of directors
- George "Gidge" Miller (President) is a former marketing executive who also presents the Jersey City concert series, Spiral Sounds.
- Fred Miller (Vice-President) pretends to be retired while running an AI/Big Data startup he helped found and occasionally presents folk concerts to raise money for refugee resettlement in Hudson County.
- Angel Jain (Secretary) is the former music director at WONC in Naperville, IL and formerly led AJ Mahal House Concerts in Jersey City.
- Bill Stern (Treasurer) is a long-time volunteer with the Riverview Jazz Festival and the Hudson West Music Festival. He holds an MBA from Rutgers University and is the current CFO of Jill Kathleen Design. He former positions include CFO of Bruce Bierman Design, Director of Finance at Foot Locker Inc., and director of Finance at Cunard Line Cruises.
- Kathryn Bloss is a scenic artist with the NY Metropolitan Opera, co-produced the 2016 East Village Folk Festival, and presents musicians at Kathryn's Space in the East Village
- Patricia McTeague is currently Director of Disney Advertising Sales Communications and Corporate Citizenship. She is a long-time resident of Hoboken, NJ and shares passion for and love of music.
- Perry Stein is the co-founder of Ethical Brew concert series.
ADVISERS
The Board would like to thank our Advisers for their sound advice and valued support of Hudson West Fest:
- Sean Kiely is a Jersey City-based singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and educator.
- Katherine Etzel is a performing artist (Bobtown; The Existential Bell), producer, arranger, and mixing engineer based in Brooklyn, NY.
- Margo Parks, founding member of the HWF and a presenter of the Riverview Jazz Festial, the BurrOak Concert Series, EcoTones Concerts, and the Vault Allure Experience Festival.
- Laura Acskin Foord, founding member of the HWF and a retired lawyer and music lover who hosts a music series in her Jersey City home.
- Bill Brandenburg - Curator, Woodbridge Township's Music on Main Street, Woodbridge Wednesdays and Country Sundays.
- Abbie Gardner - Musician, member of Red Molly
- Gordon Nash - NE Folk Ambassador and host of “Gord's Gold” radio show on FolkMusicNotebook.com.
- Ron Olesko - DJ and founder of FolkMusicNotebook.com.
- Joe Pszonek - DJ, “Radio Nowhere,” “The Americana Show.”
TEAM LEADERS / COMMITTEE MEMBERS
- James Ralston: Financial Manager
- Brady Sansotta: Social media; content creation
- Karen Duda: Volunteer coordinator
- Gordon Nash: Media outreach
- David Moseder: Media outreach
