Mithaug Artists International LLC is a full service artist management agency. Our mission is to cultivate a new generation of performing artists whose vision and artistry will enable the classical arts to reach a wider audience.

One of the unique aspects of MithaugArtists is its commitment to fostering new approaches to the concert experience. At the beginning of each concert season, artists dedicate 2-3 months to developing programs and/or projects that engage audiences in ways that are different, interesting, effective, and inspirational. Once developed, these programs/projects are presented for critical evaluation to other musicians, critics, educators, advocates, and arts-leaders. Programs are sometimes unconventional, but frequently introduce new ways of listening to the classical and contemporary repertoire. MithaugArtists is honored to represent these young visionaries.

Derek Mithaug, Managing Director, earned his B.M. and M.M. from the Juilliard School in Piano Performance. He also earned a M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. During his formative years as a pianist, he was a frequent soloist in concert venues across the United States. Highlights include a U.S. concert tour sponsored by Steinway and Sons (1991); a national fundraising concert tour for the Leukemia Society of America (1992); Teaching Artist for the Lincoln Center Institute (1991-92); founding member of the Big Apple Jazz Sextet, Midori Foundation (1992-93); and solo performances at Steinway Hall, Alice Tully Hall, WQXR Radio, and at Gracie Mansion in New York City. He has appeared as soloist with the Olympic Youth Orchestra, Colorado Springs Community Orchestra, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, and the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Mithaug is a frequent author, lecturer, and workshop facilitor on career issues affecting artists in the performing arts. Recent engagements include: guest speaker for the International Symposium on Working Musicians, London, U.K. (2005); panel chair for the College Music Society Conference in Quebec City, Quebec (2005); faculty advisor for the Envision Institute's International Scholar Laureate Program on Music in Central Europe (2004-2005); career workshop facilitator for the New School's Student Affairs Department; guest speaker at the 2004 College Music Society annual conference; guest lecturer at Pomona College (2003); guest lecturer for the Casual Classic Music Festival in Seoul, Korea (2001-2003); guest speaker for the Network of Music Career Development Officers (2001-2002); guest speaker at the Chamber Music America Conference (2000 & 2001); and guest speaker at the Student Affairs Personnel Conference for Schools of Music (1999). He is the author of a monthly column for the Juilliard Journal. His other publications and interviews include the American Organist, the New York Times, the American Music Teacher, and Strings Magazine.

Paul Ostermayer, Artist Representative
Paul Ostermayer received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory at the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 and a Master’s degree in Applied Saxophone in 1978, during which time he taught a class in Music Theory for Non-Music Majors, as well as classes in Sightsinging and Ear Training at the University. In 1991 he received a National Endowment for the Arts grant to study with Miles Davis’ saxophonist David Liebman, as well as studying privately in New York City with saxophonists Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, Joe Lovano and Al Regni, New York Philharmonic flutist Keith Underwood and clarinetist David Stanton.

As part of the rich musical scene in Austin, he played in numerous popular jazz and rock bands, as well as being a sought-after session player and private teacher. One of the bands, Passenger, recorded and toured with Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia from 1979 to 1993. Paul also toured with Christopher Cross, Delbert McClinton, Robben Ford, and Blood, Sweat and Tears in the ‘80s.

Moving to New York City in 1987, he began working in Broadway shows, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the American Saxophone Quartet, several jazz big bands, studio recording, and made several appearances in NYC jazz clubs with his own quintet. He is currently working with an orchestra that plays for private parties and functions in New York and around the world.
His compositions and performances have been featured on both National Public Radio’s Jazz Alive and PBS’ Austin City Limits. Other TV work includes The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Solid Gold; also a CBC documentary on Leonard Cohen, Tap USA on French TV, Rock Pop on German TV, and Later with Jules Holland on British TV.

Album credits include Leonard Cohen’s Recent Songs, Cohen Live, and Field Commander Cohen, Jennifer Warnes’ Famous Blue Raincoat, Carole King’s City Streets, Asleep at the Wheel’s Framed, Mitch Watkins’ Underneath It All, Craig Peyton’s Songs from Home, George Mitchell’s Aftermath, and Suzi Stern’s Seven Stars and Inside Stories.

In the education field, Paul has given private instruction in saxophone, clarinet, and flute performance as well as music theory and jazz improvisation for over 30 years. He has also developed a one or two hour program designed to introduce children to the history of classical music which he takes into school classrooms.

Paul lives in Montclair, NJ with his wife and two children.