Our Team
The museum staff at the Museum of Making Music is a small team covering education, exhibitions, collections, visitor experience, and operations. Want to join us? See our employment page for current openings.
Katherine Palmer, Executive Director
Katherine Palmer is the Executive Director of the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA where she leads the museum’s strategic direction, community engagement, and educational programming. She brings museum and leadership experience from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Nashville, TN) where she served as senior director of education and community engagement and the Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix, AZ) where she was curator of education. At both institutions, Katherine built and scaled educational programming for diverse audiences, from early childhood to older adults. Katherine is also a Faculty Associate in the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts at Arizona State University.
Between 2016–2023, Katherine was the executive director of Daraja Music Initiative (DMI), a non-profit organization—registered 501(c)3 and international NGO—that provides music and environmental conservation education in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania during the summer months. Aiming to bridge the arts and sciences, DMI promotes sustainability of African Blackwood trees from which clarinets—and other instruments—are constructed as a tool to promote environmental stewardship through the arts. She remains an active board member.
Passionate about early childhood education and world music, she was awarded the 2021 Gretsch Fellow in Children’s Music at the Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College where she investigated how diverse music making and listening can promote empathy and cultural awareness. Find her white paper, “Expanding the Neighborhood: Diversifying Music Making and Listening, Inspired by Fred Rogers,” here.
An active performer, Katherine performed with the Mill Ave Chamber Players in Phoenix, AZ. In addition to frequent national and regional appearances, Katherine has presented papers, workshops, and performances at international conferences for the College Music Society, the Society for Ethnomusicology, the International Clarinet Association’s annual ClarinetFests, and the International Society for Music Education.
Katherine holds degrees from the University of Miami (BM) and Arizona State University (MM, MA, and DMA) in music performance (clarinet) and ethnomusicology.
Allison Hargis, Education Manager
Allison Hargis is the heart of the museum’s educational experience. She oversees the full scope of the tour program, welcoming school groups and general visitors. Above all, she makes sure every guided experience connects to the museum’s mission.
Allison also leads the museum’s robust volunteer program. Specifically, she coordinates schedules, training, monthly meetings, and appreciation events for the dedicated community of volunteers who bring the museum to life each day.
Beyond tours and volunteers, she plans educational workshops and public programs for adults, kids, and families throughout the year. She also supports the museum’s adult band and orchestra programs and manages the Museum Store. Furthermore, she works across departments to share the museum’s content with NAMM members and the broader community. Allison’s work reflects a genuine passion for connecting people of all ages to the history and joy of music making.
Nicole Blue, Artifacts and Exhibitions Manager
Nicole Blue plays a central role in bringing the museum’s collection and exhibitions to life. She supports the development of both temporary and permanent exhibitions from concept to completion. In practice, that means content research, interpretive planning, label writing, and installation logistics.
Nicole is also the careful steward of the museum’s growing collection of instruments and artifacts. She maintains the artifact database, oversees cataloging and condition reporting, and prepares pieces for display, storage, or loan.
Additionally, she serves as the primary liaison to guest curators and exhibition advisors. Her research and administrative support helps shape each exhibition’s storytelling and interpretive vision. As a collaborative presence across the museum, Nicole works closely with the full team to create a seamless experience for every visitor. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for the instruments, objects, and stories that connect us to the history and artistry of music making.
Alex Pepper, Visitor Experience Manager
Alex Pepper makes sure every visit to the museum, virtual or in person, is smooth and memorable. He oversees the full scope of daily museum operations, with an eye toward creating a welcoming environment where visitors can explore with confidence.
Alex also keeps the museum’s interactive exhibits, AV systems, and digital tools running seamlessly. Along the way, he handles troubleshooting and coordinates with technical contractors as needed. As a collaborative and versatile member of the team, he contributes to strategic planning, exhibition installations, and the development of future programming.
Alex brings a remarkable mix of talents to the museum. His background spans computer science, website development, and graphic design, and a lifelong love of music grounds it all. A drummer and an avid guitarist, he is a natural fit for the museum’s unique environment.
Carolyn Grant, Executive Director Emeritus (2000-2026)
Carolyn Grant joined NAMM’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad in 1998. She then served as Executive Director from 2001 through 2026, guiding the museum’s evolution as a dynamic, people-centered institution.
Under her leadership, the museum grew through exhibitions, live performance series, and inclusive education programs for youth and adults. She placed particular emphasis on lifelong learning and creative aging. Through this work, she came to know the music and sound products industry deeply, honoring the makers, innovators, and companies that provide the tools we all use to make music.
The museum earned multiple Best of North County and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce awards during her tenure. It was also named California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 77. San Diego recognized Grant herself as both a Woman of Impact and a Woman of Influence, honors that reflect her deep roots in the regional community.
She also led the museum through a comprehensive renovation that positioned it as a welcoming, forward-looking platform for engagement and discovery. Above all, she knows firsthand how music can define, sustain, and enrich a life. She remains a passionate advocate for active music making, and listening, at every stage of life.