Megan Burgess, Strategic Projects & Partnerships Manager
(she/her/hers)
Megan Burgess is excited to return to Jacob’s Pillow as the Strategic Projects & Partnerships Manager, revamping the Pillow Partnership Program and liaising between teams to track progress of capital projects. Her previous role as the Pillow’s Company Manager allowed her to hone her logistical skills and connect with an impressive range of upcoming artists and established companies. Megan earned her BFA in Dance and BA in Communication Studies with a focus on interpersonal and organizational skills from SUNY Brockport. Currently located in Rochester, NY, she enjoys working on knitting projects, making progress on her TBR list, and re-watching episodes of Friends.
You can contact Megan by calling 413.243.9919 x049 or emailing [email protected].
Nicole Tomasofsky, Director of Marketing & Communications
(she/her/hers)
Nicole Tomasofsky has worked at Jacob’s Pillow since May 2017. Nicole is responsible for overseeing and setting the organization’s branding, outreach, marketing and communications goals for all public programming associated with the Festival, School, Community Engagement, and Archives. Before her role as Director of Marketing & Communications, Nicole worked as the Public Relations & Communications Manager where she garnered press coverage for the organization from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Dance Magazine, among others. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Dance and a Minor in Journalism. Her favorite things include spending time in nature and seeing live performance.
You can contact Nicole by calling 413.243.9919 x132 or by emailing [email protected].
Leah Brandon, Interim Director of The School at Jacob’s Pillow
(she/her/hers)
Leah Brandon is happy to be celebrating her fifth Jacob’s Pillow Festival season in 2025. In her leadership role at The School, Leah guides the creative development of all School programming, alongside the Executive team of Jacob’s Pillow and The School Program Directors and Artist Faculty. She focuses on strategic planning and operations, marketing, recruitment and the spearheading of new initiatives. Leah brings extensive experience in the area of arts leadership, advocacy and dance education as the Managing Director of NYC Dance Alliance for over 26 years. Throughout her time with NYCDA, she curated and produced a 25 city national tour of pre-professional dance workshops and intensives for thousands of young dancers annually. Widely recognized as a thought leader and consultant in the university dance space, she was integral in the creation of the NYCDA College Scholarship Foundation where she further developed strong relationships within the college dance community. Leah is passionate about coaching emerging artists who are evaluating their next steps, including the college admissions process and career development. Prior to her years with NYCDA, she was a principal manager at Steps on Broadway, and enjoyed a successful career as a professional dancer/teacher and choreographer. Leah is also on the Advisory Committee for Dancers Responding to Aids. Fun fact: Leah saw her first professional dance performance at the Pillow as a tiny, second grade dance lover. She is honored to be a part of the Pillow’s mission of nurturing both emerging and established dance artists. Outside of dance, her favorite things are spending time with her family and friends, cooking and having dinner parties, travel, wildflowers and walking in the woods.
You can contact Leah by emailing [email protected].
Patsy Gay, Archivist
Patsy Gay has been working in performing arts archives with a focus on access, engagement, and artist-driven archiving since 2011. Currently, Patsy is the Archivist at Jacob’s Pillow where she is involved in all areas of archival work at the institution with a particular focus on processing, cataloging, reference, and online resources. Previously, Patsy was Archivist and Associate Producer for Ain Gordon and David Gordon’s Pick Up Performance Co(s); Archival/Preservation Technician Fellow with the Dance Heritage Coalition working with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Eiko & Koma, and Lar Lubovitch Dance Company; and Adjunct Instructor for The Florida State University’s FSU in NYC program run by Dr. Sally Sommer. Patsy received her MA in American Dance Studies from Florida State University and her MSLIS from Pratt Institute.
You can contact Patsy by calling 413.243.9919 x154 or emailing [email protected].