Not a book club…

We stepped into Juliana's apartment to celebrate her most recent work as a harpist, composer, and performer. In the room were people we knew from drop offs and neighborhood routines, but in this environment with the skyline of rooftops, curated music, and a community of interested people the conversations were intriguing. People talked openly about their connection to the arts, whether through their work, a passion, or simple curiosity.

Leaving that night, we joked that someone should hold events like this, with the spirit of a book club, but for the arts. The thought lingered and we started asking ourselves what had made that evening feel so special and who else might value these events.

The idea: to engage with the many artists in our community, to bring arts-curious people together in a comfortable space that makes it easy to immerse ourselves in something new, and to walk away with our minds stimulated by the experience. The result: Downtown Arts Club.

Juliana Beckel is an internationally accomplished harpist based in New York City. Formerly based in Hong Kong, she has built a wide-ranging career as a soloist, orchestral harpist, chamber musician, educator, and advocate for the harp. Her debut album, The New Yorkers (2025), explores music by composers shaped by their time living in New York City, and repertoire ranges from jazz to contemporary classical; her second album (due to release in Summer 2026) will highlight social dance music in the harp repertoire. A founding member of the Hong Kong Harp Quartet, she also served as principal harpist of the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong and recorded for Naxos. She holds degrees from Oberlin and Rice, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Opera and the Arts & Culture Development Committee of Hudson River Park Friends.

Miranda Plant Byers is a Canadian actress, and arts producer. She is an advocate for women with a focus on promoting and producing works created by female artists, which promote social change. As an actor she’s appeared in Boardwalk Empire (HBO), The Bout (Moët Winner at Tribeca Film Festival), and House of Dynamite (Netflix). Favorite producing credits include Seth Rudetsky's Deconstructing Broadway (Canadian premiere); Greater Good (2018) (winner of 8 awards, and official selection at 28 film festivals worldwide); When We Grow Up (2018) (winner of "Best of the Lens", Indy Film Fest); and the Jessye Norman at 75: A Celebration concert event at Brookfield Place NY (winner of the "Best In Concert" by Opera 360). She was recognized for her advocacy in storytelling with the "Editha Award for Women's Empowerment" (Hudson International Film Festival, 2021) and the esteemed “Alumnae Award” 2023 for advocacy for women in her field by her alma mater, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School. She holds an MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School/ Pace University in NYC.

Nikki is a dance artist and educator who remains inspired by the power of art to encourage connection, contemplation, and play. With a BA in Dance Theatre from Trinity Laban London, she co-founded Influx Dance Company, performing in work known for its theatrical aesthetic, commissioning other choreographers, and touring throughout Europe. With teaching accreditation from Bath Spa University and a deep-rooted belief in the transformative value of creative engagement, she has spent much of her career in arts education. In England, she managed BTEC and A Level Dance programs at the post-secondary level, and since relocating to New York in 2010, has worked with Dancewave and The Dreamyard Project as a choreographer and teaching artist. Most recently, she has served on the Board of Directors for Matthew Westerby Dance while giving focus to her two young children, and is excited to be actively arts-curious with this community!