Wooster brings a strong financial background, excellent communication skills and deep leadership experience to the role. Previously, Wooster served as financial/administrative manager for several startup companies, including international news website GlobalPost and its non-profit spinoff, The GroundTruth Project. He helped found New England Streaming Media and its internet radio station RadioBoston.com.
An avid musician, Wooster was a founding member of local Americana band the Courage Brothers and has participated in the Berklee Mentor Program since its inception. He performs occasionally with local groups including The Loomers and The Blood Mountain Brothers.
Wooster has served on the Passim Board of Directors for the past two year, most recently serving as the Clerk of the Board. In this role, he has been involved in many of the critical decisions the organization has faced.
“Strong leadership is critical to ensure Passim continues to build upon our non-profit mission of helping to develop artists and creating an intimate listening experience for our patrons,” said Jerry Potts, chair of the Passim Board of Directors. “Jim’s leadership and business experience combined with his passion for music makes him an ideal person to guide Passim into the future. I’m confident Passim is in good hands.”
Club Passim has been known as a premier listening room, presenting both new and established performers in a huge variety of genres ranging from folk to Celtic to jazz. The historic music venue presents more than 400 shows each year to an audience of over 30,000. In addition, the Passim School of Music teaches hundreds of students to play various string instruments while grants from the Iguana Music Program support artists throughout the year. A nonprofit since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of its predecessors—the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and for-profit Passim (1969-1994).
“I am honored to have been chosen as the next Executive Director to lead Passim, an extraordinary and organization that has helped shaped the careers of many musicians,” said Wooster. “Passim is legendary in the music world and through the incredible work of Dan Hogan, the organization has continued to be relevant. I am looking forward to continuing his work and ensuring Passim remains a vital and vibrant part of the music community.”
About Passim
The mission of Passim is to provide truly exceptional and interactive live musical experiences for both performers and audiences, to nurture artists at all stages of their career, and to build a vibrant music community. Passim does this through their legendary listening venue, music school, artist grants and outreach programs. As a nonprofit since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of our predecessors-the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and for-profit Passim (1969-1994). Passim cultivates a diverse mix of musical traditions, where the emphasis is on the relationship between performers and audience and teachers and students. Located in Harvard Square, Passim serves Cambridge and the broader region by featuring local, national and international artists. Passim’s ultimate goal is to help the performance arts flourish and thereby enrich the lives of members of its community. For a complete schedule, visit www.passim.org