Photo: Hadley Fruits

Photo: Hadley Fruits

Michael Kaufmann (he/him)

Michael Kaufmann seeks to facilitate the creation and experience of surprising beauty. He believes in the power of art and design and its ability to ask critical questions, build social cohesion, advance community resilience, and imagine new possibilities. He founded MERU on these principles.

In addition to his artist development and management work with MERU, Michael consults community foundations and non-profit organizations on place-based investment strategies. He is the grant writer and project manager for Central Indiana Community Foundation’s Connected Community Initiative, which was awarded $25M from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and resulted in an additional $25M investment by the City of Indianapolis for the development of Indianapolis’ greenways network.

Michael started his career in music as A&R and label manager for Asthmatic Kitty Records. He signed and released debut albums by the Castanets, Julianna Barwick, and Helado Negro. Through the label, he also supported the growth of many artists, including My Brightest Diamond and Sufjan Stevens.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys riding his bike, writing via Substack, and continuing his three-decade collaboration with Wayne Felman through their minimalist punk band, Therefore. He is married to the wonderfully talented singer-poet Liz Janes and is the father of two young men full of unhinged creativity and joy.

Michael Kaufmann:

Photo: Billie Wheeler

Hannah Houser (she/her)

Hannah Houser brings with her a passion for all aspects of communication, branding, narrative identity, design, and business organization by way of marketing five of North America's top music festivals, managing a pool of marketing creatives, and assisting in the management of internationally renowned musicians.

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from Carson-Newman University in 2012 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Art. She was hired within a month of her graduation to begin work at AC Entertainment and began in the artist management department. She soon moved to the marketing department to hone her skills in the festival world, but her passion for artist management stayed with her.

Hannah resides in Knoxville, TN where she serves on the Carson-Newman University Art Department advisory board and the national advisory council for the AIR South Fulton Institute artist residency program. She was a 2023 nominee for the YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley Tribute to Women in the Arts and Culture Category and was a finalist for the 2017 Young Professionals of Knoxville Outstanding Young Professional Impact Award. She enjoys spending time with her husband Jordan and black cat Ranger. You can read more about her work and interests at hannahhouser.com.

Hannah Houser:

Hannah manages all artists and conducts business under HH Creative LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company. MERU, LLC and HH Creative LLC are not a partnership and instead manage their artists independently.