KD SCHMID Expands North American Presence – Jessica Ruiz Joins New York Office

KD SCHMID’s New York office expands its operations with the appointment of Jessica Ruiz. Currently Senior Director of Artistic Planning for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Jessica brings a wealth of experience in the North American market.

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Jessica Ruiz joins the KD SCHMID team as Director, following an 11-year tenure with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In this new role, she will work for the New York office starting May 1st, expanding the company’s presence and reach in the North American market.

Jessica Ruiz said: “I am immensely thrilled and honored to join the KD SCHMID team. I’ve collaborated with the agency for many years in my current role and have long admired both their incredible roster and legacy as well as the wonderful people driving excellence at all levels. Cornelia Schmid and Karen McDonald are esteemed and visionary industry leaders, and I am eager to work with both more closely in this new role. I am especially excited to join forces with the brilliant Ann SunHyung Kim in continuing to strengthen and expand the company’s North American operations. Beyond the world-class team, KD SCHMID’S personal and collaborative approach is directly in alignment with my own, and I’m very much looking forward to a successful next chapter in our work together.”

Honorary President of KD SCHMID US, Cornelia Schmid comments: “It gives me great pleasure to see our U.S. company flourish. I have known Jessica for a number of years, she absolutely shares our company values and drive to amplify our talent and local partners. Since the appointment of Ann SunHyung Kim, our U.S. company has grown from strength to strength and together, Ann and Jessica will be a formidable partnership.”

President of KD SCHMID US, Karen McDonald comments: “Since my very first meeting with Jessica, it was immediately clear that she embodies our KD SCHMID spirit and values, putting the artists at the center of all we do. The North American market holds huge historical and future significance for our business, and we look forward to championing the market on the global stage. This appointment will allow us to further enrich our artist-led worldwide general management approach. Together with Cornelia, I look forward to supporting our enhanced KD SCHMID US team to unlock all possible opportunities.”

Vice President of KD SCHMID US, Ann SunHyung Kim comments: “Jessica has been a wonderful and trusted colleague, and I am thrilled to have her join our New York office. Over many years of collaboration, we have built a great rapport, and her extensive experience in our market will help further drive our U.S. office forward. I warmly welcome Jessica to KD SCHMID US and am excited for our future partnership together.”

KD SCHMID’s artist management department works directly and regularly with the major U.S. orchestras, venues and opera houses for our artists. The appointment of Jessica Ruiz will allow KD SCHMID to grow closer to new and existing local partners in the market. She will represent selected artists from the KD SCHMID US roster directly within the territory, whilst also partnering with colleagues in Berlin, London and Hamburg to enhance the company’s activities within the North American market. KD SCHMID is a recognised market leader in touring major U.S. orchestras, representing institutions such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, amongst others, with a renowned long-standing history of excellence in this field.

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Originally from New York, Jessica Ruiz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of Southern California, where she studied clarinet in the renowned studios of both Yehuda Gilad and Mitchell Lurie. She began her tenure at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2013, most recently serving as Senior Director of Artistic Planning. In this role, she has been responsible for overseeing all of the DSO’s artistic planning, leading programming for the Classical and Jazz series. Previously, she managed artists and conductors at Opus 3 Artists and held positions at The Colburn School, ICM Artists, and Columbia Artists Management, Inc.

Since 1959, KD SCHMID has specialized in bespoke strategic artist management and arranging international tours and projects. Together, under the umbrella and partnership with Deutsche Klassik, KD SCHMID has further strengthened its position and reach in artist management, promotion, and tour management to offer a truly tailored approach for artists, focused on worldwide strategy. The artists are at the center of everything the company does, and KD SCHMID is thrilled to extend its worldwide integrated General Management strategy for our artists.