My Letter to Members of MAC for Board Election…

Dear MAC  Members,

Given that I am a fairly new to the MAC community, I want to supplement my short bio with a little bit more detail about myself for your consideration.  I won’t bore you with too much information on my musical background except that I was born and raised in music.  If you are interested in finding out more, check out my website www.natashacastillo.com.  It’s currently a work in progress but I am working to get it updated ASAP.

First and foremost, music is my ultimate passion, my life essence fueling my existence.   Recordings and videos can never replace the energy of live performances.  MAC plays a major role in providing the supportive environment to artists in not just New York but beyond.  Since I’ve joined MAC, I’ve been taking the time to support members of MAC by attending as many shows as I can manage.  I hope you will grant me the honor to serve you and this community, using my skills to make it grow even more.

As far as skills are concerned, I bring with me, a background in project/event management, technology, marketing, fundraising and finance.  Those of you who knows me are aware of what I am capable of accomplishing.  I’m extroverted, proactive, accustom to handling many projects at the same time.  I will get things done in the most efficient manner.

A few examples of what I’ve accomplished:

1)      I have been full of energy and a go-getter since I was in school.  While at NYU on a full scholarship in Chemistry, I discovered that a great professor of mine was being terminated because he didn’t acquire his PhD track on time.  As a Dean’s list student, the president of the NYU Economics club, active member of the student council maintaining a 3.7+ GPA, meanwhile working 45 hours a week between 5 jobs AND the lead singer of an alternative rock/ later wedding band, I was able to put together a petition and collect signatures from 10,000 people within the community and school resulting with an extension of his employment.

2)      This is more recent.  My day job is in the banking sector.  I’m currently a bank examiner/project manager/programmer at the Federal Reserve Bank of NY.  Within the bank, I play an active role as the President of a Resource Network.  I produced two concerts to date with the theme of “East Meets West”, promoting the cabaret industry, bringing live music and dance to the bank.  Performers at my concert include Lennie Watts, Steven Ray Watkins, Teri Ralston, Dan Furman and many other artists.

3)      As I worked my full time banking job, for 8 years I had been the Vice President of Sales/Marketing/Operations for the Brewtopia World Beer Festival.  I was responsible for acquiring sponsorship’s, venue space, press and promotion for the event.  The festivals were the largest ever in NYC and covered by the New York Times, New York Post, AM and Metro NY as well as the Daily News and CNN with thousands in attendance.   Running events in large scale, organizing and streamlining is familiar to me.

I hope to bring all of my skills to MAC and do my best to make it grow!   I have the drive and the stamina to make it happen if you give me the chance!

Thank you for your time and consideration.