Melissa Smey talks to Daniele Sahr about the curatorial process and commissioning new work
Melissa Smey, Executive Director of Miller Theater, in conversation with Daniele Sahr for Seen and Heard International
"Melissa Smey, the Executive Director of Miller Theater at Columbia University, brings her collaborative spirit and production expertise to putting on some of the best music series in New York City. It might take listeners a few extra subway stops to make it uptown, but the artistic excellence they will find cannot be overstated. I got to speak to Melissa Smey in this 26th season of their signature series, ‘Composer Portraits’, about the curatorial process and her take on what makes contemporary music welcoming to audiences."
Daniele Sahr: "February 2026 will be your 25th anniversary of working at Miller Theater. What brought you to this role and fueled your dedication?"
“We’ve made a virtue of supporting New York’s new music scene. We have deep collaborative relationships with local ensembles which is important...To be dedicated to them in their home and give them that platform is very rewarding.”