About Athlone Artists
Opera and Concert Artists Representation
Athlone Artists is a boutique agency representing opera and concert artists internationally. Our goal is to offer a personable approach to artist management, and help steward, develop and maximize the careers of an exclusive roster of classical singers, conductors and stage directors. A champion for individuality, Athlone Artists’ core values include our pledge to integrity, mentorship, diversity and inclusiveness of all levels of the profession, creativity, innovation and passion. At Athlone Artists, we are committed in heart and mind.
Our mission is to cultivate and champion brilliant artistry.
Located in the heart of Ireland, the town of Athlone and its historic bridge have been an important meeting and linking center for commerce since the Middle Ages. Similarly, Athlone Artists serves as a convening center for, and a bridge between artists, presenters and patrons.
About Miguel A. Rodriguez
Miguel A. Rodríguez is the President and Founder of Athlone Artists, and Co-Founder of Insignia Athlone Artists Management. Miguel spent over 20 years leading some of New England’s most acclaimed cultural organizations. Most recently he served as Executive Director of Boston Baroque, America’s oldest period-instrument orchestra. During his six-year tenure he raised the company’s profile by elevating the artistic level of its guest soloists, developed new community outreach initiatives, launched Boston Baroque Radio, and refreshed the image of the organization through innovation, improved branding and social media engagement.
His prior experience also includes senior executive positions with Opera Boston, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and Scullers Jazz Club. In 2007 he was one of a small number of leaders selected by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to participate in the first Executive Leadership Program for Non-Profit Cultural Organizations at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. In 2011 he was one of 20 to be selected nationally to join The 21st Century Fellows Program, a multi-year leadership development program for LGBT people of color.
Trained as an opera singer, Miguel studied voice at the University of Michigan with soprano Martha Sheil and tenor George Shirley. He continued his graduate work in voice under renown soprano Phyllis Curtin at Boston University, and went on to sing in many opera houses throughout Europe and the United States. Miguel has served on the Board of Directors of Early Music America (former President), SpeakEasy Stage Company, Coro Allegro and the New England Orchestra Consortium. He is an active member of the International Artist Managers’ Association (IAMA), Opera Managers Association International (OMAI), the North American Performing Artist Managers and Agents (NAPAMA), Opera America, the League of American Orchestras and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
Email: miguel@athloneartists.com
About Ellen Hardcastle
Ellen Hardcastle is an Associate Manager at Athlone Artists. She is originally from Nashville, Tennessee but has lived in Brooklyn since attending New York University and completing her Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition at the school. Ellen was a former staffer at Columbia Artists where she worked as a managerial associate under Senior Vice President Emily Yoon and President and CEO, Tim Fox. There, she assisted several artists including Kathleen Battle and Fabio Luisi, and also worked on “live-to-picture” film licensing projects until the company permanently closed due to pandemic-related circumstances in the Fall of 2020. In the Spring of 2021, Ellen founded a social media management project, Rabbit Rabbit, that serves as a catalyst for independent artists looking to increase their fanbase through tailored social media strategy, consistent engagement with their communities, and innovative content. She believes that creativity and ingenuity should not stop in the studio or the concert hall. In her spare time, Ellen enjoys playing synthesizers in her new Brooklyn-based rock band, Adult Fantasy Novel, composing percussion music for her friends, and going to local concerts.
Email: ellen@athloneartists.com
About Rebecca Davis
Rebecca Davis is a publicity, media and communications consultant to musicians, arts organizations and record labels, specializing in classical, jazz and other niche genres. From offices in New York and Florida, Rebecca Davis PR brings a respected and enthusiastic voice, in-depth musical knowledge and broad promotional expertise to help artists achieve meaningful and impactful visibility in mainstream and specialist press.
Rebecca brings more than two decades of experience working with musicians, arts organizations and the world’s leading major and independent record labels. She has implemented successful media campaigns for A-list pianists, violinists, singers, composers and vocal and instrumental ensembles of all sizes. Rebecca was led to a career in classical music publicity through her experience as a classically trained soprano and currently performs with the St. Petersburg Opera in Florida.
A well-regarded influencer in the music and media fields, Rebecca is a member of the Board of Consultants for the Florida Orchestra and serves on its marketing committee. She is also a voting member of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which presents the annual Grammy® Awards.
Email: rebecca@rebeccadavispr.com
About Barry Hume
Co-founder and Principal, Barry Hume holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is the President and CEO of Matter Surfaces and has over two decades of c-level management experience. An experienced entrepreneur, Barry was the Co-founder and President of Package Concierge, Inc., a full-service electronic delivery solution developed to address the escalating problem of package management in multifamily and student housing communities. He also served as co-owner and Managing Director of Primal Manufacturing, where he worked with business partners in France and China to realign global marketing strategy and grow sales. Barry serves on multiple for-profit and not-for-profit boards in New England.
Email: barry@athloneartists.com
