Executive & Artistic Director

Violinist Kate Hatmaker enjoys a varied career as performer, educator and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Art of Elan and has been a tenured violinist with the San Diego Symphony since 2006. Ms. Hatmaker has been a featured soloist with a wide variety of North American orchestras, including the San Diego Symphony, and has performed at the Vail International Dance Festival, La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest, and the Breckenridge Music Festival, among others. She has served on the faculty at the University of California-San Diego and the Coronado School of the Arts, and is a frequent chamber music recitalist, guest clinician, and keynote speaker.

Managing Director & Producer

Fiona is an Australian-born percussionist, producer, and educator who holds both education and performance degrees including a doctorate degree in percussion performance from UCSD. As Artistic Producer for international music residencies, Fiona has had the honor of working with the ICEnsemble, JACK Quartet, George Lewis, Peter Sellars, John Adams, and Tyshawn Sorey, among others. Fiona is also the executive producer and artistic administrator for the Ojai Music Festival.

Personnel Manager & Marketing Associate

Awarded the San Diego State University School of Music and Dance Alumnus to Watch in 2020, Emily Persinko supports the Southern California music community through various arts administrator roles for performing arts organizations, which have included the San Diego Symphony, Art of Elan, La Jolla Music Society, San Diego Youth Symphony, Ojai Music Festival, and San Diego State University School of Music and Dance. Emily currently leads the artistic operations of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and is also Art of Elan’s Marketing Associate.

Development Director

With nearly a decade of expertise fundraising for San Diego arts nonprofits, Paige brings her love for classical music and passion for philanthropy to Art of Elan. Paige holds a Bachelor of Music Entrepreneurship and Business degree from San Diego State University and was awarded Outstanding Music Alumni in 2020 for her work in arts administration raising millions of dollars in support of the arts in San Diego. Paige has helped open multiple cultural gems in San Diego including the San Diego Symphony’s Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s recently expanded La Jolla campus.

Accounting & Donor Relations Coordinator

Anahita Pestonjamasp is a flutist and educator based in San Diego. She earned her Master of Music degree from the Mannes School of Music at The New School, and her Bachelor of Music degree at San Diego State University. During her studies, Anahita performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center, and Copley Symphony Hall. In addition to performing and teaching, she currently supports the flute community by serving as Vice President for the San Diego Flute Guild’s Board.

Graphic Design & Marketing

A graduate of The School of Art and Design at San Diego State University, Vince has served the arts and education nonprofit sector as a graphic design and marketing consultant for over 21 years. Working with organizations such as The Balboa Park Cultural District, CoTA Collaborations, transcenDANCE, and Hausmann Quartet, he is also Art of Elan’s graphic designer and social media coordinator. Vince is particularly passionate about creative work for nonprofits and currently serves as board president of NEST (Nurturing Exceptional Students and Teachers), a nonprofit in La Mesa, CA.