Ben has been producing events since he was 12 years old. He attended the University of Virginia and studied Art History then went out to California to pursue a career in the music industry. Ben founded Artistzen after 20 years of experience in all facets of financial management relating to the entertainment industry, and the music industry in particular. He has worked in accounting for a record label, a night club, a theater company, touring artists, festivals, and he's worked Front of House in all of those places as well. His focus is on operational accounting; translating financial data into actionable information for musicians.
James Keane - Business Manager & Director of Operations
James Keane began playing guitar at age 10 and has been pursuing his passion to build a life around and in support of music ever since. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors Degree in Telecommunications Arts, James pursued his passion for playing guitar by co-founding the band DubConscious. DubConscious toured full time, often over 100 shows per year, from 2002-2010. Through this experience, James not only knows what it means to be a touring musician, but also received a crash course in all aspects of band management, from logistics to licensing, contracts, management, accounting and much more. These lessons led James to a position as Stage Manager at Bonnaroo Music Festival, and as Business Manager of at Artistzen where he represents Rising Appalachia and more. James can relate to the music industry from the eye of the musician, able to identify with the struggles and triumphs of an artist. This unique perspective offers him a comprehensive understanding of the services he provides and an ability to exceed the expectations of those he works with.
Ryan Babarsky - Account Manager
In Ryan’s childhood home, the stereo was always on, usually playing Classic Rock, Singer/Songwriters, and Folk. From a young age, she developed a deep passion for and fascination with music and musicians. After playing flute in the school band for many years, Ryan started teaching herself to play acoustic guitar at age 17. While studying English Literature and Music at the College of William and Mary, she also developed a love of Bluegrass and Americana. She formed The Rock River Gypsies with a group of like-minded musicians and upon graduation they relocated to Charlottesville, VA, performed regionally, and made one album. Ryan has held analyst positions in the financial planning field, the biofuel industry, and in health information services, and she understands the stories numbers tell. Her love of math, logic, and problem-solving combined with her passion for and experience with music give her the ability to provide excellent and caring service to Artistzen’s clients.
Grey O’Neil - Account Manager
Grey initially made his way into the music industry through live events. After finishing an M.A. in ethics and culture at the University of Virginia, he dove full time into event production. He has produced hundreds of events from regional music festivals to high-profile international conferences. Through events, Grey gained a unique set of technical, operational, and creative skills, which he later took to artist management. At Artistzen, heis excited to continue working with artists and their teams to build efficient businesses that enable them to achieve their personal and professional goals. Outside of the music world, you’ll find Grey enjoying long days outside trail running, gravel biking, and ski touring.
