NorthStar Studios LA | Arts Marketing Consultants

Strategic Marketing & Design for Arts, Culture & Community

Marketing that aligns with your mission.

NorthStar Studios is a boutique creative consultancy that helps arts organizations and artists tell their stories clearly, confidently, and creatively. Whether you’re launching a project or leveling up your brand, we’re here to guide you toward growth—with strategy, style, and heart.

learn more

At NorthStar Studios, we believe that marketing should feel like an extension of your mission—not a distraction from it.

Founded by Rachel Yeo and Rae Shrum, we’re two creatives-turned-consultants who know the arts world inside and out. We've worked behind the curtain and center stage, in front of audiences and behind-the-scenes. Now, we use that experience to help others thrive.

We specialize in strategic marketing, branding, public relations, and design services tailored to small-to-midsize nonprofits, independent artists, and creative changemakers. Whether you need a messaging revamp, a social media refresh, or a full visual identity, we bring thoughtful, collaborative energy to every project.

We are:
• Boutique and personalized
• Women-led and values-driven
• Focused on transformation over trends
• Rooted in authenticity, storytelling, and sustainability

Let’s build something aligned, impactful, and uniquely you.

Services Offered

Rachel is a natural systems-thinker with a heart for creativity and community. With a career that has taken her through municipal government, healthcare, and higher education, Rachel has managed projects across sectors with one common thread: clarity, collaboration, and care. Her passion for helping people and organizations thrive led her to earn a Master’s in Project Management—and eventually to co-founding NorthStar Studios LA. Rachel also maintains an active performing arts career, which continually fuels her understanding of the creative process from the inside out. Most recently, you may have seen her on stage with the LA Opera chorus or singing with the GRAMMY®-winning vocal ensemble Tonality, where her voice and values come together in service of social impact through music. She also brings hands-on nonprofit experience as the Program Coordinator for Vibra Voce, a Los Angeles-based organization working to build a more inclusive and connected classical music community. She brings that same ethos into every partnership: honoring where people are, holding space for where they’re going, and co-creating paths that feel authentic every step of the way. Likes: Guinea pigs (RIP Winson & Wilbur) Laughter Eating noodles Dishwashers Onsens Dislikes: Weak coffee Jogging Getting home past 10pm Loud noises Going to the dentist

Rae is a communicator, designer, and artist with a passion for helping organizations tell their stories. With over a decade of experience in marketing and communications, she has partnered with a range of L.A.-based organizations—including Sierra Madre Playhouse, Pacific Opera Project, Blue13 Dance Company, and South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy—to build thoughtful, values-driven branding that resonates. Outside of NorthStar, Rae serves as Executive Director of Source/Filter Music, a women-led opera collective creating bold reinterpretations of both new and traditional works. She is also an active performer, with recent appearances including productions by Overtone Industries and Lyric Opera of Orange County. In addition, Rae shares her love of music with the next generation as an early childhood music educator—joyfully singing, dancing, and exploring sound with children ages 1–4. Likes: Cooking Salsa dancing Tea before bed Mornings Black licorice Dislikes: Grocery shopping Waiting in line Orange soda Scratchy sweaters Airports

Tailored Services for Creative Brands

We offer customizable packages and à la carte options—so whether you know exactly what you need or have no idea where to start, we’ll guide you toward a solution that feels right.

communications + brand development for orgs

individual artist support

public relations + press

Brand discovery + visual identity

Messaging + voice development

Copywriting + content creation

Social media + digital strategy

Website refreshes or buildouts

Personal brand consultation

Artist bios + EPK/press kits

Website + portfolio development

PR strategy + media outreach

Press releases + event coverage

Strategic pitching + outreach

Media coaching

Visibility planning

We approach every project as a collaboration and every client as a partner. Let’s build something intentional together.

Schedule a Free Consultation

marketing that aligns with your mission.png

Alan M

Vineyard Touring Opera and Symphony Orchestra

NorthStar Studios LA played a key role in the success of VTO’s premiere symphony concert, Bridging the Centuries. As a brand-new event, we needed a comprehensive marketing strategy from the ground up—and they delivered. Their campaign was comprehensive and included graphic design, partnership development, social media content, advertising, press outreach, and community engagement, all coordinated seamlessly with our artists and partners. Thanks to their strategic approach and diligent execution, we surpassed our attendance goals and launched a new concert series with strong community impact. I highly recommend NorthStar Studios LA to any arts organization looking to grow their audience and visibility.

Becky and Jon

South Pasadena Arts and Music Academy

We came to NorthStar Studios LA because we were looking to increase reach in our local community, and bring in new prospective students and families. We took over ownership of our music school because we’re passionate about music and education. Those concerns are enough to keep our hands full, before we even get to all the nuts and bolts of business ownership. So, when it came to marketing, we wanted to take advantage of the guidance of an experienced team, to help us connect with the students and families we know are out there! They helped us by creating a comprehensive marketing plan for our biannual enrollment campaign. What stood out most was their ability to coordinate seamlessly with our graphic designer, administrative staff, and management team to ensure the campaign was both streamlined and effective, all while keeping a steady and reassuring hand and a friendly bedside manner. After working with them, we saw a 61% increase in introductory lessons and a 127% increase in enrollments compared to our previous enrollment campaign. We would recommend them to any arts, education, or music business looking to grow their audience and expand their impact.