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2021 Cohort

Following a global review process involving hundreds of highly accomplished candidates from around the world, a Cohort of 60 rising change-makers in music was selected to take part in the 2021 GLI Journey. The 2021 Cohort comprises 26 nations, spanning six continents, and includes project founders, social entrepreneurs, teaching artists, concert presenters, professional orchestra musicians, university & conservatory professors, record producers, engineers & doctoral researchers. 2021 Cohort Members represent Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Panama, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States & Uruguay.

Global MBA Cohort

 

Mariana Atamas

National Tango Orchestra

Mariana Atamas

Argentina
National Tango Orchestra
Violin

Mariana Atamas is a professional violinist, pedagogue and Tango expert. She holds Masters from the National University of Buenos Aires and a Certificate in Performance from DePaul University, Chicago.

Mariana Aun

Lone Star College-Montgomery

Mariana Aun

USA
Lone Star College-Montgomery
Adjunct Instructor

Mariana Aun is Adjunct Instructor of Music Theory at Lone Star College-Montgomery and an Assistant Production Manager at Rice University. She holds degrees from Royal Northern College of Music and University of Texas at El Paso.

Juan Ign. Beracochea

Chamber Orchestra of Minas

Juan Ign. Beracochea

Uruguay
Chamber Orchestra of Minas
Orchestra Conductor

Uruguayan conductor, violinist and violist, Juan Ignacio is the Chief conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Minas. In 2019, was selected by the artistic committee of the Orchestra of the Americas, to be Resident Conductor of the orchestra.

Joana Boechat

Battito

Joana Boechat

Brazil
Battito
Founding Director

Joana Boechat is a professor of Popular Music and Career Management at UniBH, where she also coordinates the Sound Map Project, runs the company Battito – music and development, and coordinates the Grupo Quinto and Duo Lumia ensembles.

Penny Brill

Pittsburgh Symphony

Penny Brill

USA
Pittsburgh Symphony
Violist

Violist with the Pittsburgh Symphony since 1980, Penny Brill is known for her work of music in health care, providing resources on residences for special needs children and adults, seniors, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, veterans and refugees.

Leah Brown

University of Trinidad & Tobago

Leah Brown

Trinidad & Tobago
University of Trinidad & Tobago
Asst. Professor

A dramatic mezzo known for her riveting operatic and concert performances, Leah Brown holds a DMA from the University of Connecticut. Research interests include the music of African derived religions in the Caribbean and Community Arts Engagement.

Dorothy Muchere Bulinda

Technical University of Kenya

Dorothy Muchere Bulinda

Kenya
Technical University of Kenya
Graduate Scholar

Dorothy Bulinda founder of Amba na Marimba!, which inspires social change using the marimba, educating the community, and preserving the music & cultures of Africa. She is pursuing graduate studies at The Technical University of Kenya.

Emily Burt

The Allegra Foundation

Emily Burt

Canada
The Allegra Foundation
Operations Manager

Emily Burt is an active freelancer in Montreal. She is oboist, administrator, and artistic advisor of Bach Before Bedtime and has a private studio in addition to teaching in schools. She holds degrees from the Hartt School of Music and her McGill University.

Lynsey Callaghan

Cross Border Youth Choir

Lynsey Callaghan

Ireland
Cross Border Youth Choir
Artistic Director & Founder

Lynsey Callaghan is completing a PhD in medieval musicology in Trinity College Dublin. She is a member of the Musicianship Faculty of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Artistic Director and Founder of Cross Border Youth Choir.

Caroline Campos

Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles

Caroline Campos

Brazil
Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
Teaching Artist & Conductor

Caroline Campos holds a Master’s from Azusa Pacific University and Longy School of Music of Bard College. She works as a Teaching Artist and Conductor at the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.

Chelsea Cowan

University of Texas at Austin

Chelsea Cowan

USA
University of Texas at Austin
Education Abroad Coordinator

Chelsea holds a DMA from Michigan State University and MM from the Royal Academy of Music in London. An avid traveler, she completed her dissertation in India and currently works at University of Texas at Austin in the education abroad community.

Rebecca Crenshaw

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Rebecca Crenshaw

USA
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Education Consultant

Rebecca is a New Orleans based educator/musician. She currently acts as the Music for Life Consultant for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, coordinating after school and Saturday youth programming.

Claudia Curiel de Icaza

Mexico

Claudia Curiel de Icaza

Mexico
Mexico
Minister of Culture

Borned in Mexico City, Claudia is the Vice Principal of Special Projects at the UNAM ́s Music Direction which beholds two orchestras OFUNAM and OJUEM and AMA–UNAM, a special education and researching program.

Abigail Dance

In Harmony Lambeth

Abigail Dance

United Kingdom
In Harmony Lambeth
Music Teacher

Abigail is a violinist, teacher and workshop leader. In addition, she co-leads collaborations with dancers to create performances with patients following Stroke and brain injury to aid in their recovery and well being.

Baltazar Diaz Davila

Guanajuato Symphony

Baltazar Diaz Davila

Mexico
Guanajuato Symphony
Co-Principal Flute

A native of Reynosa, Mexico, Baltazar is principal flute of the Oaxaca Symphony and co-principal flute of Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Guanajuato. He holds degrees from University of Texas RGV & University of Missouri Kansas City.

Drake Driscoll

Carnegie Hall

Drake Driscoll

USA
Carnegie Hall
Learning & Engagement

Cellist Drake Driscoll is Executive Director and Co-founder of the VISION Collective, sharing music between diverse communities of refugees and new Americans. She is completing her Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School.

Erivan Duarte

McGill University

Erivan Duarte

Brazil & Canada
McGill University
Doctoral Scholar

Erivan holds degrees in Music and Computer Science. He is completing his PhD in Music Education at McGill’s Schulich School of Music. Since 2015, he has been developing research on the inclusion of deaf people in music education.

Gisela Escobar Diaz

Coda Music Program

Gisela Escobar Diaz

Puerto Rico
Coda Music Program
Lead Instructor

Originally from Puerto Rico, Gisela Escobar Díaz is Orchestra Director at Stockdick Junior High in Texas. She holds degrees from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston and Boyer College of Music & Dance at Temple University.

Christiana Fortune-Reader

State University of New York

Christiana Fortune-Reader

Germany
State University of New York
Asst. Professor

Christiana is a multi-faceted musician, passionate about the intersection of teaching, performing, community building, & advocacy. She is Asst. Professor & College Orchestra Director at the State University of New York New Paltz.

Emily Gann

Connecting the Dots in Music

Emily Gann

Australia
Connecting the Dots in Music
Director

Arts leader, educator & creative producer, Emily founded Connecting the Dots in Music & established Lullaby Project Australia. She collaboratively builds cutting-edge music projects that seek to empower & connect communities.

Elizabeth Gex

ESM Catalunya

Elizabeth Gex

France
ESM Catalunya
Professor of Flamenco

Elizabeth Gex is a multi-genre artist, performing on the viola in a number of styles, including classical, period instrument, flamenco, jazz, contemporary fusions, and improvisations with visual artists and dancers.

Carly Gordon

Guitars Over Guns

Carly Gordon

USA
Guitars Over Guns
Special Assistant to the President

Miami-based oboist Carly Gordon is a writer, educator, & arts administrator whose practice focuses on storytelling through music and words. She is Special Assistant to the President of national music education nonprofit Guitars Over Guns.

Christy Grace

OrchKids

Christy Grace

Indonesia
OrchKids
Academy Program Coordinator

Christy is a multi-faceted cultural ambassador from Jakarta who has traveled across the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Asia. She holds a performance degree from Indiana University and is passionate about creating change and peace initiatives through music.

Sarah Harrigan

Sistema New Brunswick

Sarah Harrigan

Canada
Sistema New Brunswick
Teaching Artist

Canadian violinist Sarah Harrigan studied at Dalhousie University, the Royal Academy of Music, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She recently completed an Emerging Artist Residency at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance.

Shumaila Hemani

University of Alberta

Shumaila Hemani

Pakistan
University of Alberta
Instructor

Shumaila received her Ph.D. in Music from the University of Alberta and is an expert in ethnomusicology with an emphasis on religion. She crosses gender boundaries while singing Pakistani songs of Muslim heritage which are typically performed by men.

Rachel Ho

Yong Siew Toh Conservatory

Rachel Ho

Singapore
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory
Teaching Assistant

A graduate of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (Singapore) and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Netherlands), Rachel is passionate about performance art, education, and using music as a tool to impact the community.

Heidy Huwiler

Freilach Trio

Heidy Huwiler

Switzerland
Freilach Trio
Founder

Heidy Huwiler studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Zürich and at the Hochschule Luzern – Musik. She performs in a duo with pianist Andrea Isch and is founder of the German-Swiss klezmer ensemble Freilach Trio.

Emlyn Johnson

Music in the American Wild

Emlyn Johnson

USA
Music in the American Wild
Co-Director & Flutist

Emlyn is co-director of Music in the American Wild and an Instructor of Music at Missouri State University. She received her doctorate from Eastman School of Music, with additional degrees from Eastman & University of Michigan.

Caitlyn Kamminga

Searchlight International

Caitlyn Kamminga

Trinidad & Tobago
Searchlight International
Schools Project Leader

Caitlyn is Assistant Professor of Double Bass and Project Leader of Searchlight Schools at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. She has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Rose Kim

Eastman School of Music

Rose Kim

USA
Eastman School of Music
Freelance Artist

Rose is a freelance clarinetist based in Rochester, NY. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She is an active performer in orchestral and chamber ensembles, as well as a passionate educator.

Shoshana Klein

McGill University

Shoshana Klein

USA
McGill University
Graduate Scholar & Teaching Artist

Shoshana is an oboist currently living in Montreal while pursuing her master’s degree at McGill University. She has worked on the administration and production side of the music industry with CityMusic Cleveland, El Sistema Global, among others.

Hilary Kleinig

Connecting the Dots in Music

Hilary Kleinig

Australia
Connecting the Dots in Music
Producer

Hilary Kleinig is a multidisciplinary musician who works as a cellist, composer, creative producer, & educator. She is passionate about creating new work with artists/communities that tell vital & courageous stories important to us today.

Claire Leslie-Turnbull

Université de Montréal

Claire Leslie-Turnbull

Canada
Université de Montréal
Teaching Artist

Claire is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Performance from the Université de Montreal. A freelance performer and flutist in the Orchestre Fidelio, Claire maintains a private flute studio,is a teacher at the Montreal Academy of Music.

Toufic Maatouk

Abu Dhabi Festival

Toufic Maatouk

Lebanon
Abu Dhabi Festival
Artistic Director

Toufic Maatouk is Artistic Director of the Beirut Chants Festival, and has been a guest conductor with the Lebanese Philharmonic and Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra. He holds a PhD in Musicology from the Istituto Pontificio di Musica sacra (Pims) in Rome.

Patricia Martín González

Skanderborg Kulturskolen

Patricia Martín González

Spain & Denmark
Skanderborg Kulturskolen
Instructor

Patricia holds degrees from the Conservatorio Superior de Música del Principado de Asturias and The Royal Academy of Music. She has performed as soloist, in a number of festivals, and has collaborated with professional orchestras across Europe.

Linda McAlister

Schmidt Vocal Arts

Linda McAlister

USA
Schmidt Vocal Arts
Executive Director

Linda is an arts administrator, educator, and performer. In 2016, she developed and began directing the Schmidt Vocal Institute, and in 2019, assumed the newly created role of Executive Director for Schmidt Vocal Arts.

Marie Medina Trindade

Caribbean Youth Music Foundation

Marie Medina Trindade

USA
Caribbean Youth Music Foundation
Founder & Executive Director

Marie Medina Trindade is founder of the Caribbean Youth Music Foundation, a non-profit created to support Caribbean and Latin American youth in pursuit of establishing sustainable social music programs in local communities.

Alejandro Mena

Bolivia Clasica

Alejandro Mena

Bolivia
Bolivia Clasica
Strings Instructor & Luthier

Alejandro is a violist based in Bolivia. He has played in different ensembles and orchestras including the UMSA Choir and Orchestra, Sinfonietta Loyola and the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia among others.

Karoline Menezes

Harmony Project & YOLA

Karoline Menezes

Brazil & USA
Harmony Project & YOLA
Teaching & Performing Artist

A graduate of USC, Karoline has a diverse path that intersects being a chamber musician, recording artist and an advocate for music education. She has appeared in venues across the globe such as the Walt Disney Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Machele Miller Dill

The University of Tulsa

Machele Miller Dill

USA
The University of Tulsa
Musical Theatre Program Director

Machele is an educator, actor, director, and playwright. She is the Musical Theatre Program Director at the University of Tulsa and a member of Actor’s Equity Association and of the American Guild of Variety Artists.

Nadia Monczak

Encore! Sistema Québec

Nadia Monczak

Canada
Encore! Sistema Québec
Performing & Teaching Artist

Nadia is a Canadian violinist of Polish origin. Since 2012, she has been director of the Chopin Music Society of Montreal and Artistic Director of concerts at Weill Hall (Carnegie Hall). As a soloist, she has extensive international experience.

Lollie Newsome

Atlanta Music Project

Lollie Newsome

USA
Atlanta Music Project
Program Associate

Lollie Newsome holds a Bachelor’s from Rhodes College (Tenn.), and completed studies at Conservatorium van Amsterdam & the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She is Youth Orchestra Program Associate at Atlanta Music Project.

Stephen Parker

National Governors Association

Stephen Parker

USA
National Governors Association
Director

Stephen is Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs Director for US governors. He is an advocate for musicians and music education and has advised the Country Music Association, among others.

Carlos Andrés Parra

Filarmónica Jóven de Colombia

Carlos Andrés Parra

Colombia
Filarmónica Jóven de Colombia
Fundación Bolívar Davivienda

Colombian violist Carlos Parra studied at the National University of Colombia and Boston University. Mr. Parra is a founding member of Bogotá Chamber Orchestra and is also member of the Baroque Ensemble of Bogotá.

Rachel Powers

El Ballet Folkórico Estudiantil

Rachel Powers

USA
El Ballet Folkórico Estudiantil
Violin Instructor

Rachel is a violinist & music educator. She teaches privately and at studios, in addition to group lessons with Sphinx Overture program. She is passionate about investing in local communities by bringing equity & excellence to music education.

Diana Ramírez-Rosales

Accent Music Academy

Diana Ramírez-Rosales

Costa Rica
Accent Music Academy
Teaching Artist

Diana Ramírez is a member of the Abilene Philharmonic, Richardson Symphony, and McKinney Philharmonic, as well as a faculty member of Accent Music Academy. She holds a Master’s from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

Liliana Rebolledo Vergara

Atlanta All-Stars Project

Liliana Rebolledo Vergara

Mexico
Atlanta All-Stars Project
Instructor

Liliana is a performer & educator pursuing a Master’s at George State University. She founded Anacrusa, which trains musicians to improve musical expression, overcome anxiety, and generate confidence through movement techniques.

Michael Rivera

Americorps

Michael Rivera

USA
Americorps
VISTA Member

Michael is a freelance musician, linguist, and teacher who holds degrees in music and biological science. His published thesis explores the role of music performance and production in communicating health information throughout West Africa.

Alexandra Rodriguez

Millikin University

Alexandra Rodriguez

USA
Millikin University
Adjunct Instructor of Music

Alexandra is an adjunct instructor of music at Millikin University and teaches grades 6-12 at St. Teresa High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School. She is founder and director of the Prelude Orchestra and Jumpstart Summer Band.

Maria Carolina Rodríguez

McGill University

Maria Carolina Rodríguez

Colombia
McGill University
Graduate Scholar

Maria is a cultural project manager, technical producer, and sound engineer. Through music and science, her career has focused on delivering meaningful experiences to audiences through guided listening and the expression of art through technology.

Mariana del Rosario Rodríguez

Development Center of Guatemala

Mariana del Rosario Rodríguez

Guatemala
Development Center of Guatemala
Academic Director & Instructor

Mariana directs the Music Development Center, the Suzuki Method Music School of Guatemala founded in 2015. She is also a violin teacher and music early childhood educator there, accredited by the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Adriana Ruiz García

Butler University

Adriana Ruiz García

Spain
Butler University
Fulbright Awardee

A Fulbright-Spain grantee, Adriana is an active member of several youth orchestras and ensembles, such as Orquestra Camera Musicae, Orquesta Simfònica del Vallès, among others.

Ely Ruttico

University of Melbourne

Ely Ruttico

Australia
University of Melbourne
Production Officer

Ely grew up on a dairy farm in Western Australia, later moving to Perth to study music and Melbourne for an undergraduate degree in viola. He has worked in concerts and is studying for a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management.

Jason Sah

Norwalk Public Schools

Jason Sah

USA
Norwalk Public Schools
Elementary String Instructor

Jason enjoys an international career as a concert violist and string pedagogue, having performed in the US, Europe, South America, and Asia. He has served on university music faculties, and most recently as Director of Orchestras at Woodstock School in India.

Gustavo Samudio

University of Arkansas

Gustavo Samudio

Panama
University of Arkansas
Graduate Teaching Assistant

Originally from Gualaca, Panama, Gustavo Samudio is a music educator & guitarist based in Arkansas, where he is pursuing an MM at University of Arkansas. His vision of a well-rounded musician inspires his teaching, performing, and arranging music.

Shashank Saxena

Amani Project

Shashank Saxena

India
Amani Project
Teaching Artist

Shashank is a guitarist, vocalist, composer, and music teacher based in Delhi. He runs his own music institute, the Tamboora Music Academy, which teaches music, empathy, and leadership to underprivileged youth in schools across Delhi-NCR.

Naomi Schroeter

GTC Youth Symphonies

Naomi Schroeter

United States
GTC Youth Symphonies
Teaching Artist

Naomi is a teacher, program assistant, wedding DJ, and violinist. She studied International Political Economy and Music at the University of Puget Sound. Fall of 2020 marks her third year working with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies.

David Scott

Sistema New Brunswick

David Scott

Canada
Sistema New Brunswick
Teaching Artist

A native of New Brunswick, Canada, clarinetist David Scott studied at McGill’s Schulich School of Music & Western University. A member of Tutta Musica Orchestra, he performs frequently with Atlantic Sinfonia & Symphony New Brunswick.

Rebecca Shasberger

Renovare Music

Rebecca Shasberger

USA
Renovare Music
Founder & Director

Cleveland-based cellist Rebecca Shasberger founded Renovare Music, a nonprofit that bridges communities & creates restorative experiences through music. She holds degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music & Westmont College.

Katharine Smith

El Sistema Colorado

Katharine Smith

USA
El Sistema Colorado
Teaching Artist

Katharine holds degrees from University of Nevada Las Vegas and Denver University. She is a Teaching Artist with El Sistema Colorado in addition to maintaining a private studio. She has experience in repair and restoration of the violin family of instruments.

Elijah Spies

The Juilliard School

Elijah Spies

United Kingdom
The Juilliard School
Teaching Artist Fellow

Elijah works with composers to expand the repertoire for viola. He teaches at City College Academy of the Arts and P.S. 84 Lilian Weber School of the Arts. He also performs in homeless shelters and hospitals as part of Concerts in Motion.

Daniel Tynan

Victoria Dept. of Education

Daniel Tynan

Australia
Victoria Dept. of Education
Senior Music Therapist

Dan is the senior music therapist at Nepean School in Melbourne and treasurer for the Victorian Branch of the Australian Music Therapy Association. He plays piano in bands in Melbourne and sings in choirs with whom he has toured internationally.

Nancy Uscher

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Nancy Uscher

USA
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Dean of Fine Arts

Dr. Nancy is Dean of the College of Fine Arts and presidential professor of music. She oversees seven departments, eight gallery spaces, including the Marjorie Barrick Museum; six theatre venues, & the UNLV Performing Arts Center.

María del Valle

Shine on Arts Initiative

María del Valle

USA & Tanzania
Shine on Arts Initiative
Founding Director

Maria del Valle is a music teacher and flute player based in New York City.She founded Shine on Kids NYC, a community music program for children and families, and Project Shine International, an arts education consulting company.

Diego Esteban Villamil

Filarmonicá Joven de Colombia

Diego Esteban Villamil

Colombia
Filarmonicá Joven de Colombia
Fundación Bolívar Davivienda

Tong Wang

Lincoln Center Stage Resident Artist

Tong Wang

Canada
Lincoln Center Stage Resident Artist
RWS Entertainment Group

Canadian pianist Tong has performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Red Deer Symphony Orchestra. As Executive Director of “Zenkora Studios”, Tong leads a team of artists across genres to produce interdisciplinary orchestra concerts.

Joanne Wicks

Canty – Cappella Nova

Joanne Wicks

United Kingdom
Canty – Cappella Nova
Freelance Artist

Joanne’s career has included music teaching & professional singing. She has been a member of the BBC Singers, with a special interest in Early Music. She is a member of Canty-a, a four female voice & medieval harp ensemble based in Glasgow.