Ross michaels, co-president

Ross Michaels (he/him), Co-President and an original founder of Park Avenue Artists, is a record producer and artist/manager who has brought to the forefront talent that continues to influence and shape music culture across the globe through a wide array of music genres. The artists and projects Ross oversees include Platinum and Grammy-award winners who are recognized by the creative world as leaders in their respective areas.

Since the formation of PAA in 2011 by Ross and his partner, David Lai, the company has been responsible for introducing artists highly influential in the music and creative sectors. The company’s first artist was 2CELLOS, who began as a viral sensation, toured with Elton John, and became a worldwide instrumental powerhouse. Since that initial introduction, PAA has established itself across many music genres. Within the world of contemporary and forward-driving music, PAA has developed and represented artists like Yebba, a Platinum and Grammy Award-winning artist whose associations, features and contributions range from a Tribe Called Quest to Ed Sheeran. On the other end of the musical spectrum, PAA manages internationally acclaimed, Grammy® Award-winning, and Sony Masterworks recording artist violinist Joshua Bell, considered by many to be the top violinist in the world today. The range of artists currently on PAA’s roster include Grammy Award winning string trio Time for Three to Grammy Nominated producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist Alissia. To complement their diverse roster, PAA also represents Broadway Stars Ryan Silverman and Ashley Brown, who are regulars on the symphony circuit, headlining venues such as Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center.

In addition to his role as an artist manager, Ross has helped create and produce large scale cultural projects. Most recently, along with fellow PAA colleagues David Lai and Susannah Karron, the creation, production and direction of "The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration" that debuted with The Chicago Philharmonic in partnership with Primary Wave and The Houston Estate. Other productions include Joshua Bell's Virtual Reality experience with Sony Playstation, producing a sold-out Dolby Theater celebration of ZEDD's CLARITY album, an Amazon original with Joshua Bell, an original live music film for Yebba in partnership with Zane Lowe and Apple Music, and Joshua Bell’s Embertone sampler instrument that is available for all Digital Audio Workstations.

Furthermore, Ross and the PAA team led the development of a partnership between Park Avenue Artists and Sony Audio, with the primary goal of educating top and emerging artists about all the areas that Sony has to offer -- from 360RA, to product, to their virtual mixing environment (VME). 

Ross continues to expand his interests in the technology arena, being commissioned as a talent buyer and artist curator for brands such as Google (at their I/O Conference), Hewlett Packard, and Jim Beam. Ross has also been solicited as a speaker for the TedX series— all under the auspices of the PAA umbrella.

Ross has also worked with various brands to produce and curate events and art to help highlight important cultural music and artists of the moment. More specifically, he was a founder of “Series,” commissioned by Maxim magazine to curate live music events with artists such as Q Tip, along with other leaders in Hip Hop and RnB to managing Mixed Reality visual artist VOIDZ and helping to create original art pieces with brands ranging from Burberry to Tumi. Additionally, he is actively working with the PAA team and Madison Square Garden as the music talent provider for the New York Rangers and the New York Knicks.

Ross' experience as a music producer runs the gamut, having worked with top 40 acts, creating the title music for The New Yorker podcast, to developing all the music for Shaun T's fitness program Cize with Jordan Battiste. Through these activities, Ross expanded his expertise in film and commercial work, directing and producing national TV commercials for brands like Celsius Health beverage.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Political Science from Drew University, and began his career in recording studios in New York both during college and following graduation. His experiences in the studio environment give Ross an informed perspective on how to achieve maximum performance from the artists he manages in both recording sessions and live performances. Additionally, it is his link to the technological changes and a deeply rooted understanding of music culture that enables his artists to expand the distribution of their artistry way beyond the physical confines of these traditional venues.