Meet Cara Schaefer

Cantate welcomes new Executive Director Cara Schaefer

Takoma Park, Md. – Cantate is delighted to welcome the multi-talented Cara Schaefer as its next Executive Director.

A native of Washington, D.C., raised in Montgomery County, Cara is honored to serve local classical music audiences as both an administrator in the performing arts and an active singer.  Though you may recognize her as the mezzo soloist from Cantate’s recent performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Cara is also proud of a career behind the scenes, specializing in marketing, community collaborations, development, and individual giving with IN Series, Alliance for New Music Theatre, and Bel Canto in Tuscany. She is excited to bring these skill sets to the Cantate offices, where, working in close collaboration with Music Director Victoria Gau and the Board of Directors, she aspires to deepen the relationship of diverse audiences with Cantate’s profoundly moving and uniquely innovative programming. When she’s not on stage, in rehearsal, or whipping up a color-coded marketing plan, Cara enjoys spending time with her two wonderful kids, hiking, and sharing her love of vocal technique as the owner/operator of Carini Voices studio.

Cara succeeds Chamber Singers baritone Thad Garrett as Cantate’s chief administrator. “What a gift it has been to have Thad holding the reins this year and guiding us into our next steps,” says Victoria Gau. “I couldn’t be more excited for Cara to bring her energy and knowledge to the organization while Thad continues singing with us, both contributing to the artistic fabric of Cantate. The future looks amazing!”

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