New Sound Arts
New Sound Arts is not just another booking agency. We are committed to creating a unique experience for our artists designed around their biggest goals, capabilities, and opportunities. For the presenters we work with, we come ready with a partnership and long-term relationship mindset. Our artist roster features new rising stars and GRAMMY®-winning artists. By giving full consideration to a deliberately small roster of artists, we are able to work closely with our presenters to find the right fit for their stage, their audience, and their budget.
Co-founder & agent
Mike Epstein
Mike Epstein is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he studied drums and percussion. His first job out of college was as the drummer on a Princess Cruises ship. He then took evening courses in psychology with plans to become a psychologist, but quickly set that aside to pursue a career in music and the arts, starting as an intern at The Kurland Agency in Boston.
Along the way, Mike earned a master's in marketing from Boston University. After six years at The Kurland Agency, he formed his own agency, Mike Epstein & Company, which he led for nine years before merging to help form EFP. Before the merger, Mike hired Marie Le Claire, who was instrumental in the success of the artists she represented. New Sound Arts launched in 2026.
Mike's territory covers AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI and WY in the United States, and AB, BC, MB, NT, NU, SK and YT in Canada.
Co-founder & agent
Marie Le Claire
Marie Le Claire is a born-and-raised New Yorker who has worked in the music business for over twenty-five years. She didn't go to music school and doesn't play an instrument, but she is a lifelong, passionate lover of music and musicians. While studying film and political science at Hunter College, she began working with musicians, filming live shows and recording sessions and making EPKs and music videos.
She went on to work with GRAMMY®-winning artist Maria Schneider as her assistant, tour manager and videographer, documenting the making of three albums over twelve years. In 2019, Marie joined Mike Epstein & Company as East Coast agent, then spent four years as East Coast agent at EFP. After seven years of working together, she is excited to start this new chapter as Mike's business partner, working with artists they both love.
Marie's territory covers AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV in the United States, and NB, NL, NS, ON, PE and QC in Canada.
Marie also currently serves on the board of Pennsylvania Presenters.