ABOUT
With nearly a century of institutional knowledge, SAI is a boutique agency that is passionate about relationships: we bring people together to make music of the highest caliber and share it with the world.
Schmidt Artists International (SAI) traces its roots back to the 1930s when legendary manager Thea Dispeker escaped Nazi Germany and pioneered an artist agency in New York City. Michal Schmidt began her managerial career clipping reviews for Dispeker’s press kits before eventually acquiring the instrumental department from Dispeker and establishing an agency of her own.
Over the next two decades, Michal formed a modern, boutique agency known for its integrity, artistic excellence, and commitment to developing sustainable artistic careers. With her leadership, the agency launched many artists to international acclaim, including Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Augustin Hadelich, and the Attacca Quartet. Michal was an especially fierce advocate for female conductors. Among the first to recognize the extraordinary talents of Marin Alsop, she shaped the early arc of her career and, in 1993, positioned Alsop to become the first woman to lead a major American orchestra as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony. Michal’s advocacy helped secure a place on the podium for generations of women to follow.
In 2024, Drew took charge of the legacy, expanding the agency’s services and global reach yet still preserving its founding values. Today, SAI holds fast to its model of highly personalized management services, sharing the talents of its exceptional artists with international audiences in honor of a history that began nearly a century ago.
When Michal passed away from breast cancer in 2011, conductor Patricia Handy took charge of the agency. She had long been involved both as an artist on the roster and behind the scenes, coaching artists and discovering new talent while also maintaining a busy conducting schedule. Patricia carried the company’s work forward, assisted in this transition by Drew Hemenger, composer, arts leader, and contemporary music advocate.
