About Us
The Junior Committee Mission
The Junior Committee at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) connects young professionals who support and promote world-class performing arts and educational programming. These culturally-minded ambassadors collaborate with each other to support overall mission of SPAC through fundraising, donor cultivation, and community outreach to engage a younger demographic in the classical arts. The Junior Committee achieves these goals through organizing various fundraising events, social media interaction, and community involvement throughout the year.
The SPAC Junior Committee is invested in assuring the future of SPAC. SPAC has exponentially increased the number of educational offerings to the community, especially for local children, in the pursuit of the belief that every child should have the opportunity to experience the arts. All funds raised by the Junior Committee’s efforts directly contribute to classical education and programming for local children.
Steering Committee
Samantha Kercull – President
Caitlin Goetz – Vice President
Marissa Ainsworth – Membership
Amanda Ettinger – Treasurer
Laura Bolan – Secretary
At-Large Members
Amanda Martini-Hughes
Ryan Matuszewski
Kelly McAuley
Katrina Coons Railton
Tatiana Roupas
Current Members
Mario Abate
Brandon Acres
India Adams
Meaghan Aldridge
Marissa Ainsworth
Jessica Audette
Nicole Babie
Casey Baldwin
Emily Bartell
Laura Bolan
Ashley Budd
Isabelle Cantanucci
Katie Carson
Nancy Cavanaugh
Alexandra Crayne
Matthew Crayne
Meaghan Creydt
Melissa Curry
Christian DeLollo
Sarah Dorrer
Amanda Ettinger
Josh Ettinger
Desiree Farley
Victoria Fast Dunn
Caitlin Goetz
Anna Gomez-Domenech
Madeline Goralski
Keely Griffiths
Lindsey Halse
Klare Ingram
Amanda Jackson
Kate Jarosh
Shawna Jenks
Samantha Kercull
Sarah LeRoux
Lauren Loschiavo
Amanda Martini-Hughes
Mallory Massry
Ryan Matuszewski
Kelly McAuley
Ann McGrath
Kevin Murphy
Meaghan Murphy
Kaitlin Nevins
Matthew Owen
Rosanna Panuccio
Katrina Coons Railton
Elizabeth Reardon
Marissa Romero
Tatiana Roupas
Jessica Yulan Rubino
Ettie Seymour
Jenna Smith
Anne Van Vorst
Jessica Waldorf
Stephanie Weissman
Shanna Wiggins
Andrew Williamson
Annie Wu
Mackenzie Zarzycki
Membership
The Junior Committee is a dynamic group of more than fifty young professionals and performing arts patrons who work in tandem with the SPAC strategic planning and fundraising teams. The Junior Committee primary focus is to cultivate a younger demographic to support SPAC and ensure the vitality of the performing arts in our community. The Junior Committee is actively recruiting community members to aid in the continuation of the important cultural programming at SPAC.
While there is no application review process, the Junior Committee currently only allows new members to join twice each year during the Spring and Fall General Membership Meetings (GMM). To participate, a variety of membership levels are available for committee members to choose from. To learn more about membership or for general questions about the Junior Committee, please contact Seth Buono at sbuono@spac.org, (518) 584-9330 x101 or Marissa Ainsworth at Marissa.ainsworth@se.com.
Calendar of Events
Junior Committee Members dedicate their time to hosting special events in order to raise funds for SPAC, in particular for SPAC classical programming and youth education.
Winter Ball
Since 2011, the Winter Ball has been the Junior Committee’s largest fundraiser. More than 500 people fill the Hall of Springs dressed to impress in coordination with the current year’s theme. Come support your local community while enjoying an electric, immersive evening featuring live music, dancing, photo booth fun, locally-sourced raffles and more. This exciting evening has raised more than $300,000 to support the education and outreach programs at SPAC.
In the News
Into the Pines For Education by The Daily Planet Arthur
SPAC Winter Ball 2019 by Bizi Media Co.
Event Wrap Rap #2: SPAC Winter Ball Has a Ball in Morocco! by The Daily Planet Arthur
New York City Ballet Gala
The Ballet Gala includes an elaborate gourmet sit-down dinner in the Hall of Springs hosted by the Action Council, and a festive lawn party hosted by the Junior Committee, just steps from the SPAC amphitheater. The centerpiece of the event is a special performance by New York City Ballet immediately followed by a fireworks show and live music with dancing under the stars.
In the News
NY City Ballet Gala: Towards A Stronger ‘Community’ by The Daily Planet Arthur
SPAC Ballet Gala Main Event by Bizi Media Co.
Member Only Events
Junior Committee also holds membership activities that allow members to get to know one another and also learn more about SPAC and the local arts community. These include:
- Social Events: networking mixers, holiday parties, group performance attendance and more!
- “Art Next Door” series: Aims to allow Junior Committee Members to get to know SPAC better, as well promoting SPAC and Junior Committee to the general public. This series includes a backstage tour of SPAC.
- “Meet SPAC” Series: aims to allow Junior Committee Members to get to know SPAC better, as well promoting SPAC and Junior Committee to the general public. This series includes a backstage tour of SPAC.
- Dance Class Series (new this year!): an opportunity to experience and learn about an array of performing art modalities.
Community Events & Gatherings
The list below features other exciting community events and gatherings:
- September: General Membership Meeting
- October:
- Winter Ball Wine & Food Festival
- Lecture Luncheon
- November: The Nutcracker Tea
- February: ChowderFest
- March:
- Winter Ball
- General Membership Meeting
- Phone-A-Thon
- May
- Volunteer at Historic Homes Tour
- Annual SPAC meeting
- June:
- SPAC programming
- Festival of Young Artists
- Jazz Fest
- July:
- SPAC Classical Programming (ballet/orchestra)
- New York City Ballet Gala
- August:
- SPAC Classical Programming (orchestra)
- Young Professional Night