Mariel Vandersteel

Development Manager

A native of Northern California, Mariel Vandersteel is a New England-based arts administrator, graphic designer and musician. Mariel is thrilled to rejoin the team as the Development Manager after having been involved at Passim as a former staff member (2017-2020), School of Music instructor (2010-2018) and performer (since 2006).

Mariel first started performing at Passim’s Open Mics in 2006, eventually at campfire festivals and countless other support and headlining shows since. After graduating from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Violin Performance, Mariel moved to Norway to study the hardingfele at Høgskolen Telemark, Rauland and released her debut fiddle album, Hickory. Soonafter, Mariel joined Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards. The band was twice selected by the U.S. State Department to act as cultural ambassadors throughout Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Montenegro, Greece, and Estonia.

Inspired by her experiences performing, teaching and collaborating nationally and abroad, Mariel continued to cultivate her curiosity and interest in the deep and magical community that forms around music and received a masters degree in Arts Administration with a certificate in Fundraising Management at Boston University while working full-time at Passim.

When not at Passim, Mariel loves to spend the evening cooking or baking, hand quilting using recycled textiles, and going on hikes with her husband, daughter and sweet dog, Luna. She currently sits on the Board of Directors at the Lexington Community Farm.