Sara Villagio ’04, Carnegie Hall’s chief marketing officer, will deliver the 2024 convocation address to bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates of Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at the college’s convocation ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome (livestream available).
Villagio is charged with overseeing all marketing strategy, creative and customer service for Carnegie Hall’s three iconic stages, including hundreds of performances each year that represent every kind of music as well as global music education and social impact programs.
Since joining the Hall in 2017, Villagio introduced customer-curated subscription packages, led a holistic brand and visual identity update, acted as a critical leadership team member for the Hall’s post-pandemic reopening in 2021 and developed a go-to-market strategy for Carnegie Hall+, a premium video subscription on-demand channel available nationwide on Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app and other providers.
Prior to Carnegie Hall, Villagio enjoyed nearly 12 successful years at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC), where she was director of marketing. Rising through the ranks, she oversaw marketing efforts for JALC’s three performance venues, the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and extensive education programs. Over the course of her tenure, Villagio successfully grew JALC’s concert-season ticket income, including major increases in subscriptions. Her greatest passion, however, continues to be partnering closely with artists—some established, and many more just emerging—and finding effective ways to share their creative vision with audiences.
Villagio is an alumna of the music industry program in VPA’s Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music and a graduate of the Arts & Business Council of New York’s Arts Leadership Institute in Executive Education. She is also a member of the VPA Council. A resident of Jackson Heights, Queens, she loves taking in cultural offerings of all mediums across New York City. In addition to her love for arts and culture, she is a certified kettlebell coach, enabling her to share her love of strength training with others.