Mariel Vandersteel

Development Manager

A native of Northern California, Mariel Vandersteel is a musician, arts administrator and graphic designer.

Mariel first started performing at Passim’s Open Mics in 2006 and has performed in countless 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 be in the kitchen or 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.