June 5, 2025
Kaufman Music Center’s Board of Trustees has elected three new members: Tamara Conniff, Paul Sipio, and Irina Vainberg.
Board Chair Orli Shaham says, “We are delighted to welcome three fantastic new trustees to Kaufman Music Center’s Board. Their arrival further strengthens an already exceptional group of leaders. Their insights, energy, and dedication will help us shape the future of the Center and continue to advance our mission in profound ways.”
Executive Director Designate Tony Mazzocchi says, “We are thrilled to welcome Tamara, Paul, and Irina to the Kaufman Music Center family. Their deep personal connection to our Center, combined with their expansive knowledge and love of music and the industry, will be invaluable as we prepare to celebrate the Center’s 75th anniversary in 2027. The depth of expertise and passion they bring will help us continue to nurture and inspire the vibrant community that defines Kaufman Music Center.”
Tamara Conniff
Tamara Conniff is a music executive, philanthropist, and film producer. She is the founder of music rights company AMR Songs, where she has built a successful portfolio of catalogs. She has served in a number of high-profile leadership roles in the music industry, including EVP Business Affairs for Jay-Z’ Roc Nation Music Publishing, COO of Artist Publishing Group and President of Music Services for Front Line Management/Ticketmaster. Tamara started her career as a journalist and was the first female Editor-in-Chief at Billboard and launched the Women in Music brand. She serves on the board of several non-profits including the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation. She has produced several films including the forthcoming documentary “Lahaina Rising.”
Paul Sipio
Paul Sipio is a Managing Director in the Origination group at Apollo Global Management, a high-growth, global alternative asset manager and a retirement services provider with over $750 billion of assets under management. Paul has led Apollo’s long-term financing partnerships in the music industry with Sony Music Group and Concord. Prior to joining Apollo in 2021, Paul worked in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Investment Banking group at Goldman Sachs as well as at Universal Music Group. Paul received his M.B.A. with Honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Music from Northeastern University. Paul is a professor on the Music Adjunct Faculty at the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and he is the parent of a student at Kaufman Music Center’s Lucy Moses School.
Irina Vainberg
Irina Vainberg is a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, where she is a member of the health sciences intellectual property department. Irina assists biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, research hospitals, and academic institutions with obtaining patents on various cutting-edge medical and pharmaceutical inventions. She also provides strategic counseling and assistance with deals involving intellectual property licensing and acquisitions. Through her work, Irina has been involved in various educational and career development initiatives for undergraduate and graduate students. Irina received her PhD in cell biology and biochemistry from New York University and hew law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
Music has always been a big part of Irina’s life. Irina’s daughter has been a piano student at Lucy Moses School and Young Artists Program at Kaufman Music Center for the past 12 years. In addition to piano, she participated in the chamber program and Summer Musical Theater Workshop. Irina is immensely grateful for the supportive community and highest quality music education that her daughter has found at Kaufman Music Center. She also believes in the power of music education and the importance of it being accessible to people of all ages and incomes.
