Grayson Music Scales Up Leadership

Oct. 29, 2026

Grayson Music is growing, with three familiar faces helping lead its next chapter. Kelly McCluskey has been named Managing Partner/Executive Producer, Nicholas Shaw becomes Executive Producer, NY, and Alison Carter steps into the role of Director of Operations. The promotions reflect a company where people build careers, creative relationships run deep, and a love of music extends well beyond the brief. 

An award-winning music and audio house with teams in Toronto, New York, Nashville and LA, Grayson is known for fostering a welcoming environment that inspires discovery and masterful craft. These values inspired the design of its new studio in downtown Toronto, home to the recently launched “The Living Room” series, a seasonal live music event showcasing artists with intimate performances at Grayson’s Vinyl Bar.

At the helm of the Grayson team, Kelly McCluskey’s passion for music, creative projects, and people has long been her driving force throughout her 15 years with the company. Known for developing dynamic partnerships and nurturing emerging talent, McCluskey has helped build Grayson’s roster and has overseen the studio expansion in scope, scale and creative reach. As Managing Partner/EP, Kelly will continue to drive the company’s growth while leading Grayson’s in-house team of composers, music supervisors, sound designers, voice directors, engineers and artists. 

McCluskey said:

“I think what continues to set us apart as a global music and audio-post partner is the depth and diversity of talent we bring together under one roof. People who are curious about one another’s work and generous with their ideas. Clients get the benefit of that whole team, with a creative partnership that stays consistent from beginning to end. We genuinely love working together, and I think people feel that. We take the work seriously, but there’s a lot of joy in how we make it.”

 

As he approaches his tenth year with Grayson, Nicholas Shaw has helped bring thousands of projects to life and has cultivated lasting client relationships. As Executive Producer, NY, he will continue developing the company’s US presence alongside Nashville-based Partner and Creative Director Tyson Kuteyi.

Shaw said:

“We’ve built some terrific relationships with our US partners, and I’m excited to keep that momentum going. There’s so much talent here to introduce people to. Whether a client comes in with a fully formed idea or a challenge they haven’t quite cracked, we love to nurture ideas to show why we can be a trusted partner. ”

 

One of the key architects of Grayson’s infrastructure is Alison Carter, who has been named Director of Operations. Over the course of her tenure, Alison has helped navigate its evolution as it doubled in size, all while expanding her expertise through studies in business and law, with a focus on business affairs and operations. Her understanding of the company’s many moving parts, paired with a commitment to thoughtful leadership, has helped shape her approach to the role.

Alison relays:

“At its heart, Grayson is a collective of talented, creative and dedicated individuals. We put a ton of thought and intention into how we grow, not just as a business but as a team. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make room for the creative work. As we grow, we want to keep the care and thoughtfulness that got us here.”

 

For Diane Patrone, Grayson’s sales partner focused on the East Coast, the appeal is both professional and personal.

Diane shared:

“Grayson brings together everything I've learned to look for: incredible composers, award-winning audio post, artist relationships through their management arm, and SNGL’s independent publishing, sync licensing, and collaborative writing camps. Everything I’ve ever wanted under one very fun roof.”

 

Championing craft, the value of music and its creators is at the heart of everything Grayson. It’s the feeling of joy and connection that is palpable across their creative ecosystem – whether hosting a showcase in The Living Room, recording an orchestra or a small jazz combo, finding the perfect artist for a brand collaboration, crafting compositions from scratch, reimagining classics or building the SFX of new worlds.