2010 Board of Directors - Nominees
Following are your Board of Director nominee statements. Please read them all thoughtfully before placing your vote.
Voting will be done by mail - ballots should be in your mailboxes by Tuesday, August 31. Voting is only open to paid members.
Ballots must be received by Tuesday, September 14th. 

The nominees are: Scott Barbarino, Elli - The King of Broadway, Carmen Goldberg, Carrie Jackson, Michael Janin, John Koprowski, Jillian Laurain, Sidney Myer, Maria Ottavia, Gretchen Reinhagen, Ricky Ritzel, Warren Schein, Jim Speake, Lennie Watts, Susan Winter, and Amy Wolk. 

SCOTT BARBARINO With over twenty-five years experience working, managing, performing (Scott Barbarino & The Bev-Naps) and producing shows in live entertainment venues (ScoBar Entertainment), I was the first MAC Member-At-Large, the only membership elected member on the MAC Board at that time, whose responsibilities as the membership’s ombudsmen, included presenting their issues, concerns, desires and suggestions to the Board of Directors. This responsibility has remained my primary motivation during my entire tenure on the Board, serving as Co-President, then Vice President and, for the last four years, as a sitting Board Member. I was Instrumental in returning the membership’s right to vote for the Board of Directors, and I’m delighted to see so many members in the running to serve on the MAC Board of Directors.

ELLI - THE KING OF BROADWAY I would like to be considered for the MAC Board. I have been a MAC member for a few years now. I have been an active member of the Cabaret community since arriving in NYC 6 years ago. I have performed at many of the cabaret venues, Don’t Tell Mama, The Duplex, The Iguana and others. With two solo shows and a third one in rehearsal, I’ve been performing in NYC for as long as I have been here. I have an extensive resume of Film and TV and I am a published reviewer with more than a dozen reviews – with more to come - on www.nitelifeexchange.com. I have many ideas on how to re-energize the Cabaret scene and hopefully bring in some fresh blood. I also feel that I would bring fresh insight to the board. In the past years I have come to know and respect many of the present and past members of the MAC Board. In addition, I am proficient with computers and have built and operated websites and email lists. For more info, visit http://thekingofbroadway.com/

CARMEN GOLDBERG My corporate experience includes Ziff-Davis Publications and the Associated Press. I left the corporate world to pursue singing and acting and worked in four Law and Order episodes, seven feature films and have performed Cabaret at Don’t Tell Mama for the past three years. I studied Graphic Design and Advertising at Parsons, do web design, social media marketing specialist. I produce podcasts for www.newyorkpodcafe.com site and write press releases and reviews and moonlight as headshot photographer.

Issues
-The new generation does not seem to acknowledge cabaret as an art form
- cabaret is not being being marketed as a charitable
Where Mac Should be Headed

MAC should present cabaret as a genre that has undergone a metamorphosis, attracting talent from the great stages of opera, TV and Broadway and 1) Align itself with corporate sponsors by supporting causes that will give cabaret a charitable image and 2) Lobby to have cabaret taught in education systems as an art form, that attracts respect and admiration and needs to be studied, mastered and protected for all time, just as opera and the fine arts are. 3) Hire respectable spokesperson to market cabaret’s contributions through MAC.

CARRIE JACKSON I have been involved in a variety of administrative and professional functions in the entertainment field for over 15 years, past Board Secretary, International Women in Jazz, NY, NY, since 1992, a former member of Universal Jazz Coalition, present, Board of Directors, New Jersey Jazz Society, past Jazz Choir Director, Newark Public School, 50 voice all female choir, President/CEO of C-Jay Recording & Productions, t/n C-Jay Records, established in 1996, and have produced several CD’s.

I am dedicated to the contributions of musicians and singers in the world of music cabaret and jazz performers and keeping its rich legacy alive by maintaining the tradition of America’s classical art form. I am continuously striving to preserve this unique music culture by creating an awareness of our musical history. The focus of my interest in this music is to broaden the perspective of the music lover, and to have a lifelong love and appreciation for music interpretations, and a flair for the dramatic. I am dedicated to custom tailoring music programs and my specific areas of interest in jazz and cabaret, providing performance opportunities to musicians/artist’s and to assist with booking venues, music contacts and networking resources.

I feel that I am uniquely qualified to work as a Board Member of MAC, and will work hard to maintain the integrity of the organization, goals, objectives, and mission. I am certain that I have the background and experience to meet your specific needs, and that I would be an asset to your organization. For more info, visit www.cjayrecords.com.

MICHAEL JANIN Although I am a non performing member of MAC, I have some strong views on where the direction of Cabaret and the Organization should be heading. After spending years of listening to fellow members perform and growing up with a love of this wonderful venue, I believe it is my time to add my abilities to help this organization grow into the future. My ―aha‖ moment was attending the MAC Award show at B.B. Kings. While meeting many people I knew from their performances as well as relationships started over the years, I knew I wanted to contribute from the point of view of the fan, the audience, the non-performer. I have been to many performances where I felt that most of the audiences were other performers. I have been bothered why this wonderful art form is not drawing more non-performers to the performances of such talented people. If elected to the MAC Board I will use my energies to help encourage and publicize the wonderful performances available to non-performing audiences. I will encourage High School performers to attend cabaret performances. As a resident of Long Beach, NY, I attend and support our Cabaret Festival. I was thrilled that MAC was represented by a Master Class given by Barbara Fasano and Eric Comstock. There should be more courses aimed at the High Schools and the nearby colleges. I would work to do my best to spread that word. As a former business owner and a current instructor I have business acumen that can help MAC. In addition, I have a long history of consulting with businesses.

JOHN KOPROWSKI I have been a MAC member for several years. I believe that my arts and business background uniquely qualifies me for consideration by the MAC membership. I have had a dual career in the arts and as a professional finance executive working in the non-profit community. As an actor and singer, I have been a working member of the NYC arts community for over 10 years. My business background includes eleven years as the Treasurer and Director of Finance for the Ford Foundation, a multi-billion dollar philanthropy. For the last seventeen years, I have run a consulting practice working exclusively with over one hundred non-profit organizations. These organizations are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities. I have extensive experience with issues affecting tax-exempt status and have worked with several clients to obtain their 501(c)(3) designations. I am a board member for two arts organizations—the Singers Forum (I am also the Board Treasurer) and the Astoria Performing Arts Center. This past year, I served as a member of the MAC Audience Development Committee. I would be honored to be on the Board of MAC.

JILLIAN LAURAIN I would like to be considered for a position on the MAC Board. I have been singing, performing, and teaching for many years now. Some of you have seen my work. Perhaps you feel I would have something to offer this wonderful community. I work with members of our cabaret community as well on their vocal skills, mic technique, musicianship and how to put a cabaret act together. I work with top performance and studio musicians myself. I have also worked in the corporate world for many years. I have been employed by Phillip Morris and Dun & Bradstreet. My husband and I ran our own head-hunting agency at the Twin Towers, placing executives in positions with starting salaries of $300,000 on up. I became an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) over 15 years ago to take care of my husband who is a paraplegic. I now solely work out of my home as a vocal technician. I also have built up a cat sitting business within the complex I live.(Waterside Plaza). I have excellent people skills and telephone manner. I can type, use a computer, cell phone, microwave (even though I am a blond) and am an At-Home-Chef. I developed the Opera Cookie Company and love sharing my culinary wares.

SIDNEY MYER
MAC Board Member - Over 2 decades
Cabaret Booking Manager for over 25 years: Don't Tell Mama, Rose's Turn, Panache Performer: Cabaret/Theater/Film/Television/Radio
Looking forward to working with all Board Members, Committee Chairmen, Volunteers and Members in service - to continue the friendships, social and business alliances, seminars, Awards and special events that so enrich our world.

MARIA OTTAVIA I would like to be considered for nomination: MAC Board of Directors. I wish to bring to the table: 1) Bringing MAC to the "Outside World" 2) A MAC helping MAC: MAC Members helping each other spread the word about their shows, CD's etc. 3) Social Networking and keeping a careful eye on joining certain sites. Bottom line: Getting MAC out into the everyday world. 4) Would like to discuss E-mailing and when too much is just too much. Most of us are members of more than one E-mail Network : MAC, Cabaret Singers, Facebook, etc. Brainstorming on getting the word out only once and not having it repeated and cluttering up mail boxes.

GRETCHEN REINHAGEN I am a multi-award winner performer, most notably for my show ―Special Kaye: A Tribute to the Incomparable Kaye Ballard‖, with a great deal of passion and respect for the art of cabaret. My professional background spans across performing, teaching, and working in the corporate world. Prior to moving to New York, I taught public school and maintained a private voice studio. I continue to teach voice today, but also spent 8+ years in business management for one of New York’s leading investment banks. I believe this background has provided me with a skill set that would be valuable to our organization. I would love to explore ways to bring cabaret more onto the main stage, while maintaining its sense of intimate expression, and welcome to all. Additionally, I am a huge promoter of continued education, and would welcome an opportunity to develop this further within MAC. Above all else, I am a team player, and will gladly work with the board, and community at large, in whatever capacity I am asked. MAC is more than an organization. It’s a community of artists, and lovers of great music, and I’m proud and excited to be a part of that. www.gretchenreinhagen.com

RICKY RITZEL Ricky Ritzel is proud to have serving on the MAC BOD since 2006. A cabaret fixture in New York for over 30 years, he looks forward to helping cabaret and nightlife grow and believes MAC is a proving ground to make these things happen. www.rickyritzel.com

JIM SPEAKE I wish to submit my name for consideration for the MAC board. I served as Vice President of the Savoyards Musical Theatre Company in Atlanta, Ga. now the Atlanta Lyric Theatre. I have a BA in Business Administration from the University of Ala. and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. I was founder and President of Speake Garden Furnishings in Atlanta, Ga. I have been in NY since 2000 and have worked in cabaret since 2005. I am impressed with the work that MAC is doing and would like to be a part of helping the organization move forward. One of my major objectives would be to explore ways of expanding the audience for cabaret. Thank you for your consideration. www.jimspeake.com

WARREN SCHEIN I would be most interested in working on the MAC Board. Over the past few years I have been active in Cabaret with my show, "Remembering Mel: A Musical Tribute To Mel Torme. I've performed at the Danny's Skylight Room and most recently had three shows at the Metropolitan Room. I've been working in Florida and at Country Clubs in New Jersey and in Connecticut. I've also been performing in musical theatre for over thirty five years both here in New York, Long Island and the tri-State area.

I'm extremely knowledgeable in organizing, hosting and developing special events. I spent over sixteen years in the public sector organizing and developing summer concerts series for our parks and beaches each summer, Memorial Day fireworks celebrations that would draw over twenty thousand people, recognition dinner celebrations, handling all aspects including, menu's, hospitality, entertainment, scheduling, security and publicity. I've also been the President of my local Chamber Of Commerce for over eighteen years. I consider myself to be a "go to" person that will always give 110 percent of myself in whatever project I'm given to work on, and I would consider it to my pleasure to become a member of the MAC board. www.warrenschein.com

LENNIE WATTS I have had the pleasure of serving on the MAC Board for the last 2 years, the first as Vice President and the second as President. During that time, I have been involved in several behind the scenes projects. I am currently checking in to the benefits of changing to a 501©3 organization, as well as checking in to possible health care plans for our members. I am thrilled to be able to help bring MAC in to the mainstream and to help the organization and it’s members reach a wider audience. I would be honored to be able to serve for another term to continue working on these projects and see them to completion. www.lenniewatts.com

SUSAN WINTER I am making myself available to be part of the MAC Board of Directors. I have been part of the cabaret scene since taking my first Summer in the City in 2005. Before that time, I was a teacher/speech therapist for the NYC Board of Education, working with adolescent Special Education students. I have been part of many teams during my 30+ years with the board. Having worked collaboratively with other teachers for many years, I have produced and directed videos and theatrical productions with and for my special students.
Since retiring in 2004, I have returned to what was once a budding singing career that was cut short with the birth of my children. I have availed myself of many of the long-term workshops and continue to study. My debut show, ―Million Dollar Matinee,‖ was nominated for a 2008 MAC award and my CD, ―Love rolls on…LIVE!‖ was the MAC recipient in 2010. While mounting shows in the small clubs around town has been my joy, working with seniors in nursing homes and centers has given me that special feeling one can only get when giving back. I sing for them several times a month. I also avail myself of the open mics around town, having a ball doing so. www.susanwintersings.com
I have come to feel part of this community and I would like to share my talents. I have been thinking about exploring ways we can promote ourselves better and to wider audiences. It just does not make sense to me that people are not aware that this form of entertainment even exists, and have not marked their calendars to see and hear several performances a month. We need to do a better job in getting the word out…and not just to each other. I hope to brainstorm with my colleagues and search for ways that we can do this. Thank you for your consideration for this position. See you at a show or an open mic!  http://www.susanwintersings.com/

AMY WOLK I am a 7 year MAC member, and have performed a variety of shows all over NYC. I have been the stage manager of the MAC awards for the past 3 years, and have quite a bit of experience as both a retail manager and a certified NY State High School English Teacher. I am glad to watch MAC go in new directions and expand their outreach to many of the newer members of the cabaret community. I would love to see MAC grow even larger and make its presence an integral part of New York City Nightlife.

BALLOTS ARE DUE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 14TH.

If you are interested in running for a Board of Directors position, here are some parmeters for submitting:

1. Candidates must be MAC members.

2. Nominees must submit a short statement (150-200 words maximum) presenting your background, the skills you would bring to the Board, and any other information you feel is pertinent for members to consider when deciding whether to vote for you (e.g., your views on various issues, your thoughts on where MAC should be headed, etc.).

3. Nominees must be prepared to put in several hours a week and attend at least one evening meeting a month. Board meetings are typically held the third Wednesday of each month in the evening; your first meeting would be the third Wednesday in September.

4. More and more of the Board's business is conducted electronically; accordingly, nominees must have regular access to e-mail with the ability to read Microsoft Word and PDF documents.

5. Complete information about the MAC board elections can be found by visiting the Bylaws web page (Article II Association Management).

More details will be provided here as preparations for the elections are closer.