Our Staff

Sarah seeks to carry forward Lena Spencer’s dedication to community service through music, creating friendships, careers and harmonious connection. She has contributed articles to national music publications, freely offers herself as a mentor to emerging artists and presenters, and shares her experience as a panelist at conferences in the US and Canada. Before taking the reins at Caffè Lena in 1995, she served as a fundraiser then Executive Director for the Massachusetts state branch of Peace Action, a nationwide, grassroots citizen’s lobby. She earned her BA in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Vermont. She lives in rural Shushan, NY where she gardens, runs, writes novels, and reads avidly about ecology, theology, psychology and social justice.

Born in Aurora, IL and raised in Queensbury, NY, Mateo has been steeped in music since birth. Growing up in a family with generations of musicians led him to pursue a career in music after studying at Emerson College in Boston, and a brief stint in the television industry in Los Angeles. Playing shows and producing events since the age of 12, Mateo spent more than two decades touring the world as a drummer and artist manager. A perfect confluence of circumstances led him to the Director of Operations position here at Caffe Lena. No stranger to our stage, Mateo is a passionate advocate for our mission of providing music, connection, and learning for the good of the community and world at large.

Hannah came to Caffè Lena after several years in management at School of Rock in Albany, NY and Marietta, GA. Throughout her college years she explored all aspects of the music industry, from teaching beginning guitar, to working with record labels, booking and promoting shows, and performing her own music. She holds a Bachelor of Ministry in Songwriting from Visible Music College in Memphis, TN. She manages the house on weekends, reviews and processes artist contracts, and coordinates all technical and hospitality needs with the bands.

Born and raised in Troy, NY, Joanne’s first love was music. She was able to attend concerts all over NYC while she earned her Barnard degree in creative writing. An internship at A&M Records led to a job in their PR Department. She continued in PR and Marketing at Capitol Records, Milan Records, Windham Hill, Windham Hill Jazz, and High Street Records, and worked at PR agencies like Kathryn Schenker Associates and freelance. She held positions in books, magazines, biometrics, automation, and fire protection before returning to her first love – music. She lives in Schenectady with her two cats, two dogs, and her piano.

Reese spent his childhood listening to the crowd at Carnegie Hall sing in harmony with Pete Seeger, and learned to play clawhammer banjo to recreate Pete’s sound. He graduated from Skidmore College in 2018 and began volunteering at Caffe Lena during his senior year. Reese now serves as the Caffe’s swiss army knife – depending on the night, you might find him managing the house, producing a video behind the scenes, coordinating Caffe Lena On the Road, or playing a song or two on stage at the weekly open mic. When not working at the venue, Reese tours regionally with his own band, Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band.

Griff is a second generation Caffè kid, and an umpteen generation Saratogian. He first played our stage in middle school as part of our Emerging Artist Breakout, a series booked by and for teens. After a stint at Berkeley College of Music, Matt came home to Saratoga and played Lena’s open mic for 6 months straight, where he met Karl Bertrand and formed what would become one of Saratoga’s favorite bands ever, Let’s Be Leonard. Griff was one of those kids who loved to take things apart. Guided by his father, he learned plumbing, carpentry, motor repair, and is adept at fixing tape decks, amps and guitars. He keeps our building and equipment running smooth. The kitchen skills he learned as a teen employee of The Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich, and later at Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga, create a great experience for our hospitality volunteers. Finally, Griff combines his wide-ranging instrumental skills and love of kids as a teacher in the Caffe Lena School of Music where he coaches our youth band, The Rolling Pebbles.

A native of Saratoga, Joe first came to the Caffè as a curious high school student. His photographs of performances, life around the Caffè, and Lena herself, from the 1970s to today, form a substantial part of the 2013 book Caffè Lena: Inside America’s Legendary Folk Music Venue, and have been seen in numerous album jackets, gallery shows and national publications. In the 1980s he became an indispensable ally to Lena Spencer, helping her with every aspect of running the Caffè. After her sudden passing in 1989, he was part of the team that kept the Caffè going while it transitioned into a non-profit organization. He has served as the Caffè’s soundman for the better part of the past 30 years.

With a degree in Anthropology from Binghamton University, Olivia stumbled upon the music industry through a love of culture, community, and connection. She grew up in a small town in Ohio and began playing the viola at the age of 10, continuing on to spend her formative years in orchestras and around classically trained musicians until graduating high school. Combining her love of music and community, Olivia sought work in live music after graduation, landing a job with Live Nation Entertainment at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center soon after and getting to work with some of the biggest touring artists in the world. Olivia now manages the house and kitchen, and has taken over as volunteer program coordinator for the Caffe.

As a longtime resident of Saratoga, Angie has been frequenting and enjoying Caffè Lena for most of her life. Growing up, she was involved in local music spaces as a singer, from performances as a solo pop/rock artist to being a member of the Melodies of Christmas youth chorale at Proctors. She studied at Berklee College of Music, receiving a degree in Professional Music. During her studies, Angie developed her love for live music and stage management through involvement with student run productions, and finding a place within a community of musicians. She is thrilled to be back in Saratoga as a part of the Caffè Lena family.

A native of New Orleans, Lizzie arrived in Saratoga in 1976 and was paid $25 per week by Lena to clean the Caffè after every show. She’s a life-long baker, including a stint as the head baker for her commune at age eighteen. She’s been baking the Caffè’s desserts here in Lena’s kitchen every week since 1996.

In more than six decades of producing music, Joel has recorded albums for the likes of Little Richard, Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Joe Cocker, Johnny Cash and Tony Bennett, in addition to work on films and Broadway. He has won an Academy Award and seven Grammys and been nominated for two Emmys. His life in music began in his hometown of Detroit in the late 1950s as a 12-year-old folk prodigy, leading a Hebrew folk quintet called The Hi-Liters that played Caffe Lena in the early ’60s. Since moving to Saratoga he produced “A Saratoga Christmas Wish,” a fundraising album for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York that raised $70,000.

The JAZZ at Caffe Lena series is hosted by resident composer, pianist, and jazz master Chuck Lamb, with support from music producer Joel Moss. Each month, Lamb invites a top-flight jazz artist to join his trio on stage. Lamb, a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002, is not only an exciting and emotive pianist but also a prolific composer of jazz, fusion, classical, and world music. Through these collaborations, the artists stretch their creative boundaries, exploring new musical landscapes and creating spontaneous, exhilarating performances.