About
Liquid Music is a leading producer of special projects in contemporary music, an internationally recognized laboratory for artists from across genre and disciplinary spectrums. This creative institution nurtures and realizes bold ideas from performers and composers, inspiring audiences to discover, learn and be transformed.
Founded at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2012, Liquid Music became independent in 2020, owned and operated by artistic director Kate Nordstrum who has been widely praised for her programmatic vision, panoramic tastes and “storied matchmaking” (Minneapolis Star Tribune).
“The Liquid Music series has evolved into something extraordinary.” –Star Tribune
“Best of Classical.” –The New York Times
“Liquid Music melds genres and blows minds.” –Minnesota Public Radio
"A window into creativity’s beating heart." –MinnPost
Our team
Kate Nordstrum is an artistic director, producer, and curator known for building ambitious, interdisciplinary platforms for new work. She is the founder and owner of Liquid Music, described by The New York Times as “Best of Classical,” launched at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2012. She is co-director of BODY LIVE LIVE MUSIC with choreographer Dimitri Chamblas, a new platform for site-inspired performance projects that bring music, movement, and environment into dialogue. She also serves as Executive Producer, Humanities at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where she leads new initiatives that expand the orchestra’s artistic scope through commissions, festivals, and cross-sector partnerships. From 2020–2025, she was Artistic Director of The Great Northern, a Minneapolis-based festival at the intersection of climate, art, and public life. Her experience includes producing the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s centennial season Fluxus Festival and roles at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and New York City Center.
Nordstrum's current/recent projects include copresentations and partnerships with the Walker Art Center, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Spoleto Festival USA, Barbican, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Center for the Art of Performance UCLA, 92NY, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Studio Dimitri Chamblas, MASS MoCA, LA Dance Project, On Being with Krista Tippett, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and New Amsterdam Records.
Across her work, Nordstrum creates frameworks where artists can develop ambitious projects over time and in dialogue with new contexts, audiences, and disciplines. She is known for pairing rigor with openness, bringing together artists, institutions, and communities in ways that expand how music is experienced and presented. Her curatorial vision has been widely recognized, with media describing her as “the most adventurous music curator in town” (MinnPost), “a presenter of rare initiative” (Star Tribune), and “a curatorial powerhouse with international pull” (Minnesota Public Radio).
Chris Mode is a producer and performing arts administrator with a focus on supporting the creation and performance of new, interdisciplinary work. As Associate Producer with Liquid Music, Chris oversees production and logistical needs across projects and provides administrative support for the organization. Prior to joining Liquid Music, Chris was a member of the General Management team at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, executing programming including festivals, site specific work, and special events. As a producer with Beth Morrison Projects, Chris toured internationally with world premiere productions of new opera and theater projects. In the Twin Cities, Chris has held administrative roles with the Guthrie Theater, American Composers Forum, and The Great Northern.
Hania Asim is an arts administrator and cultural connector. Since moving to Minneapolis in 2021, Asim has established deep ties through sound and is a familiar face on dancefloors across the city. She’s particularly drawn to the intimate transience between an audience and performer(s), often volunteering her time to artist-led efforts as a means to examine and document the relationship. Asim currently serves as Department Coordinator, Curatorial Affairs at the Walker Art Center, where she works closely on their traveling exhibitions program.
Katie Hare is a creative communications specialist dedicated to spaces that encourage reflection and expression. A communications partner to Liquid Music for seven years, she continues to lead key narrative and campaign projects as an ongoing freelance collaborator. Her work pairs overarching content strategy with hands-on production—developing core messaging, digital media archives, website implementation, and visual identity. Working alongside the Liquid Music team, she helps connect curious audiences with inventive artistic programming. Additional experience includes work with the Walker Art Center, Northrop, The Great Northern, Alanna Morris, Mn Artists, DISPATCH, and Change Narrative.