Bettina Maria Mehne
Lewes,Sussex
Summary
Advises conductors, soloists, composers and venue teams on career strategy, repertoire planning and market positioning. Delivers practical guidance that supports growth, sharpens decision-making and builds stronger links between artistic vision and commercial outcomes.
Leads artistic planning, talent development and stakeholder engagement across orchestral, chamber, contemporary and educational projects. Shapes long-term programming, negotiates with artists and partners, and strengthens audiences through thoughtful repertoire and audience-facing strategy.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Member of the Core Faculty
ICM Academy
Seoul
10.2026 - Current
- Teaching International Artist Management in Korea through real-world cases and practical insights into the decisions that shape an artist's career, developed with guidance and support from the International Artist Managers' Association (IAMA) and organized by ICM Management.
- Https://icmacademy.thinkific.com/pages/about
Consultant
The Edinburgh Festival
05.2026 - Current
- consulting Nicola Benedetti and the Head of Music and Programming on the music programme spanning from orchestral, chamber, traditional, folk and contemporary styles and opera in concert, creating the deepest level of experience, through the highest quality of art, for the broadest possible audience
Consultant
Primo Artists
New York and London
05.2025 - Current
- Tutoring and consulting artists (conductors, soloists, composers) who approach the New York & London offices but who are not ready for management yet.
- Consulting venues newly building a classical music series (Grace Farms, Connecticut)
- www.primoartists.com
Consultant
Die Freitagsakademie
Bern
03.2025 - Current
- consulting the Artistic Director on sales and outreach
- www.freitagsakademie.com
Executive Director
Hogfish, Maine USA
Maine
05.2024 - 12.2025
- Led strategic planning and implementation to drive organisational growth
- Developed strategies aligning with organisational needs, driving targeted improvements.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships through proactive communication, regular updates, and strategic meetings to enhance engagement.
- Fostered partnerships with industry leaders, governmental bodies, and non-profit organisations to advance strategic objectives.
- Managed financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment strategies
- Oversaw financial operations, including budget development, forecasting, and fiscal management to maximise resource utilisation.
- Championed the adoption of new technologies and systems to improve operational efficiency and data integrity.
- Advisor and board member since the foundation of Hogfish (www.hogfish.org) since its foundation 2018 and returned to the board after holding the position of Executive Director based remotely in the UK
Director
Keynote Artist Management
London
11.2018 - 04.2024
- Developed strategic plans to enhance global careers of conductors and soloists while onboarding emerging and established talent
- Negotiated and secured sales agreements with partners, record companies, orchestras, and venues worldwide
Co-founder and Shareholder
HELLO STAGE
Vienna
11.2013 - 09.2018
- The fastest growing online network for the classical music business connecting musicians, composers, ensembles, managers and promoters (now online in a different format from the original) also nicknamed the LinkedIn for Classical Music
- Co-author of the book "Be your own Manager" and subsequent Workshops with musicians and one-on-one tutoring
- Developed engaging content for the network through collaboration with team members and stakeholders to enhance user experience.
- Identified revenue growth opportunities, implementing strategies that aligned with market needs and increased profitability.
- Mentored staff, creating a successful leadership team.
- Established a company culture focused on innovation, teamwork, and customer service excellence.
- Followed industry trends and patterns to inform product development decisions.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with industry leaders to boost company visibility and support revenue generation efforts.
Consultant Development & Director of Operations
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Glasgow
12.2017 - 09.2018
- Developed 5-year strategy for RSNO in collaboration with senior team, board members, and junior staff, aligning organisational goals.
- Restructured office framework, integrating operations and artistic planning departments for enhanced collaboration and effectiveness.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions to upskill team members, enhancing service delivery and operational capability.
- Compiled information about current workflows, job descriptions and structures to inform decision-making about potential improvements.
- Helped clients enhance internal structures and improve handling of current and potential problems.
- Helped organisations manage and implement change with minimal disruption to operations.
Member of the Development Team
Pierre Boulez Saal
Berlin
10.2015 - 09.2017
- collaborated with CEO, marketer, and artistic planner to establish foundational rules and structure for Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin during its initial construction phase.
Head of Artistic Planning and Dramaturgie
Wiener Konzerthaus
Vienna
01.2008 - 10.2013
- Shaping, planning, and leading all principal artistic activities working closely with the intendant and artistic partners
- Leading a team of 5 planning and producing 480 self-promoted concerts per season as well as a team of 4 writing and producing all printed material and written texts controlling and setting up the artistic budget of € 5,5 M
- Created original artistic projects, including opera and innovative concert formats, enhancing audience engagement
- Commissioning and co-commissioning new works
- Strategically positioning artists and conductors over several seasons
- Managed administrative team, streamlining operations to support artistic initiatives
- Member of the extended board of the Wiener Konzerthaus influencing all matters and strategic plans of the venue, involved in sponsoring and fundraising matters, initiating some of the most successful fundraising campaigns
- Hosted and participated in planning committee for 2013 IAMA conference, contributing to strategic dialogue in the industry
Orchestra Director
Münchener Kammerorchester
Munich
10.2005 - 02.2007
- Providing artistic leadership in collaboration with the music director
- Representing the MKO in all key artistic and business matters including with donors and underwriters
- Negotiated contracts with agencies and artists, securing high-quality talent for performances.
- Commissioning new works
- Developed and managed project budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and resource allocation.
- Led marketing and strategic planning for concert projects, enhancing audience engagement and attendance.
- Cooperating with radio stations, CD labels and TV producers
Artistic Manager
The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Bremen
11.2001 - 09.2005
- Led strategic planning for all projects in collaboration with Orchestra Committee and Artistic Directors Paavo Järvi and Daniel Harding
- Negotiated contracts with managements and artists to secure collaborations
- Marketed and sold Orchestra projects globally in partnership with selected managements, generating primary income for the entrepreneurial Orchestra
- Managed budget of € 4 million for Orchestra projects
- Collaborated with city of Bremen, donors, and sponsors to enhance community engagement and support for Orchestra initiatives
Manager
Van Walsum Management Deutschland
Hanover
08.1999 - 08.2001
- Secured concert engagements with orchestras, festivals and promoters across Germany and Europe, increasing performance opportunities.
- Negotiated contracts and fees while collaborating with PR agencies and record companies.
- Contributed to strategic planning for 19 internationally renowned artists, enhancing overall project direction.
- Established German office of Van Walsum Management within Konzertdirektion Schmid, expanding operational reach.
Orchestra Manager
Staatstheater Mainz GmbH
Mainz
09.1996 - 08.1999
- Coordinated artistic and operational planning for concert season with music director
- Oversaw budget management for concert season to ensure financial sustainability
- Led team of 5 staff in executing concert season initiatives
- Representing the Orchestra in all matters within the Opera house
Tour Manager
Gustav Mahler Jugend Orchester
Vienna
07.1994 - 08.1996
Assistant International Touring and Concert Promotion
Harrison/Parrott
London
11.1994 - 12.1995
Education
Magister Artium - Musicology and History of Art
Technischen Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Universität Wien
06-1994
Skills
- Talent spotting and development
- Artist management
- Strategic partnerships
- Operational planning
- Relationship building
- Strategic leadership
- Cross cultural communication
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Calm under pressure
- Leadership
- Team building
- Deadline management
- Project planning and coordination
- Artistic planning
- Contract negotiation
- Budget management
- Computer: MS Office, Evis, Overture, One Drive, Social Media Expert
AWARDS
2018 Artist Manager of the Year, Association of British Orchestras
2016 Red Herring, Top 100 European winners: HELLO STAGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages:
Fluent: German, English
Basic proficiency: Italian, French
TEACHING & LECTURING
- 2020 "How to be your own Manager", Barenboim-Said Akademie, Berlin
- 2019 "How to be your own Manager", Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Munich
- 2019 "How to be your own Manager", Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen
- 2018 "How to be your own Manager", Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Munich
- 2018-08 Individual coachings on "How to be your own Manager", Classical Bridge Festival, New York
- 2018-04 "What to expect when starting out in Europe" Q&A session with Dawn Upshaw's graduate students, Bard College, New York
- 2017 "How to be your own Manager", Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin
- 2017 "How to be your own Manager", Hochschule für Musik, Karlsruhe
- 2016-11 Q&R session for young artists, IAMA conference, Toronto
- 2016-11 "Social media and the Classical Music Buiness", Asociación Espanola de Orquestas Sinfonicas
Timeline
Member of the Core Faculty
ICM Academy
10.2026 - Current
Consultant
The Edinburgh Festival
05.2026 - Current
Consultant
Primo Artists
05.2025 - Current
Consultant
Die Freitagsakademie
03.2025 - Current
Executive Director
Hogfish, Maine USA
05.2024 - 12.2025
Director
Keynote Artist Management
11.2018 - 04.2024
Consultant Development & Director of Operations
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
12.2017 - 09.2018
Member of the Development Team
Pierre Boulez Saal
10.2015 - 09.2017
Co-founder and Shareholder
HELLO STAGE
11.2013 - 09.2018
Head of Artistic Planning and Dramaturgie
Wiener Konzerthaus
01.2008 - 10.2013
Orchestra Director
Münchener Kammerorchester
10.2005 - 02.2007
Artistic Manager
The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
11.2001 - 09.2005
Manager
Van Walsum Management Deutschland
08.1999 - 08.2001
Orchestra Manager
Staatstheater Mainz GmbH
09.1996 - 08.1999
Assistant International Touring and Concert Promotion
Harrison/Parrott
11.1994 - 12.1995
Tour Manager
Gustav Mahler Jugend Orchester
07.1994 - 08.1996
Magister Artium - Musicology and History of Art
Technischen Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Universität Wien