Meet the Jury – SIPAM 2025
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We are delighted to welcome Amy Cassello, Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), as a member of this year’s SIPAM jury.
Amy Cassello began her artistic path early—at age 11—organizing neighborhood talent shows for charity. Her professional background spans arts management, local and national politics, and cultural advocacy. Over the years, she has worked as an organizer, fundraiser, and speechwriter, before dedicating herself fully to the performing arts sector.
Her long-standing commitment to contemporary dance includes collaborations with Doug Elkins, Urban Bush Women, and nora chipaumire. In 2012, she joined BAM in a newly created role as Associate Producer of the renowned Next Wave Festival, working under longtime Executive Producer Joe Melillo. Since then, she has taken on increasing leadership roles, being named Producer in 2018, Associate Artistic Director in 2019, Interim Artistic Director in 2023, and officially appointed Artistic Director in June 2024.
About BAM – Brooklyn Academy of Music
Founded in 1861, BAM is America’s oldest performing arts center and a cornerstone of New York City’s cultural landscape. Its vibrant campus spans three iconic venues: an opera house, a refurbished vaudeville theater, and a black box space. BAM is a nonprofit organization known for its bold programming, including the Next Wave Festival, which has championed avant-garde dance, theater, music, and opera since the 1980s, as well as DanceAfrica, one of the largest celebrations of African and African-American dance in the U.S. BAM also serves as an important hub for independent cinema and community engagement.
Amy Cassello began her artistic path early—at age 11—organizing neighborhood talent shows for charity. Her professional background spans arts management, local and national politics, and cultural advocacy. Over the years, she has worked as an organizer, fundraiser, and speechwriter, before dedicating herself fully to the performing arts sector.
Her long-standing commitment to contemporary dance includes collaborations with Doug Elkins, Urban Bush Women, and nora chipaumire. In 2012, she joined BAM in a newly created role as Associate Producer of the renowned Next Wave Festival, working under longtime Executive Producer Joe Melillo. Since then, she has taken on increasing leadership roles, being named Producer in 2018, Associate Artistic Director in 2019, Interim Artistic Director in 2023, and officially appointed Artistic Director in June 2024.
About BAM – Brooklyn Academy of Music
Founded in 1861, BAM is America’s oldest performing arts center and a cornerstone of New York City’s cultural landscape. Its vibrant campus spans three iconic venues: an opera house, a refurbished vaudeville theater, and a black box space. BAM is a nonprofit organization known for its bold programming, including the Next Wave Festival, which has championed avant-garde dance, theater, music, and opera since the 1980s, as well as DanceAfrica, one of the largest celebrations of African and African-American dance in the U.S. BAM also serves as an important hub for independent cinema and community engagement.
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