The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City
Announces New Executive Director
Coming Off Exhilarating 50th Season, The Friends Excited to Welcome Hickok Aboard
KANSAS CITY, MO (May 19, 2026) –
The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City (“The Friends”) announced today that Lisa Merrill Hickok will join the organization as Executive Director effective June 1, 2026. Having just finished its incredibly successful 50th Season in Kansas City, the organization is extremely excited about its future.
Hyeyeon Park and Dmitri Atapine, Artistic Directors of The Friends, shared: “As we build on the tremendous momentum of this celebratory season, we are delighted to welcome Lisa Hickok as Executive Director. Lisa brings decades of experience in nonprofit performing arts management, fundraising, marketing, and audience development. We look forward to partnering with her to advance The Friends’ mission, strengthen chamber music’s place at the heart of Kansas City’s cultural life, and to continue bringing inspiring performances, educational initiatives, and meaningful musical experiences to our community.”
Hickok brings over 30 years of experience empowering Kansas City arts organizations to her new role. As founder and President of Merrill LLC, she has helped organizations including Kansas City Ballet, Park University’s International Center for Music, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, Spire Chamber Ensemble, Heartland Men’s Chorus, and others, build visibility, deepen donor relationships, and achieve measurable growth. Her leadership is rooted in building trusted relationships, strengthening donor and community engagement, and helping arts organizations grow with purpose, visibility, and lasting impact.
Hickok stated: “It is a tremendous honor to join The Friends at such an exciting moment in the organization’s history. For 50 years, The Friends has enriched Kansas City through extraordinary chamber music, bringing world-class artists and deeply meaningful musical experiences to our community. I look forward to working alongside Hyeyeon, Dmitri, the Board, staff, patrons, and community partners to build on this remarkable legacy and help carry The Friends’ mission into its next chapter.”
Dwight Arn, President of the Board of The Friends, added: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our sincere appreciation to Brett Robison for his leadership as Executive Director, particularly during a highly successful 50th Anniversary Season. As Brett steps down to relocate to the Twin Cities to be with his wife, we are deeply grateful for his many contributions to The Friends. We are also delighted to welcome Lisa Hickok, whose experience, relationships, and passion for the arts will be a tremendous asset to our outstanding Artistic Directors, staff, and Board. Together, we look forward to building on 50 years of success as The Friends enters its next era of musical excellence.”
Founded in 1975, The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City is recognized as one of the premier chamber music organizations of its kind in the nation. The Friends presents the world’s leading artists in thoughtfully curated performances, champions creative and engaging programming, and provides educational initiatives that reach deeply into the community. As The Friends prepares to launch its 51st Season, the organization looks ahead with tremendous optimism and artistic ambition. The upcoming season will feature twelve world-class concerts alongside educational initiatives and inspiring artistic experiences for audiences across Kansas City. Together, Artistic Directors Hyeyeon Park and Dmitri Atapine, alongside Executive Director Lisa Hickok, the Board, and staff, look forward to advancing The Friends’ longstanding tradition of artistic excellence and continuing to foster a vibrant future for chamber music in Kansas City.