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2024 Cohort

Following a nine-month review process involving hundreds of highly accomplished candidates worldwide, a Cohort of 60 exceptional arts changemakers was selected to participate in the 2024 GLI Journey. The 2024 MBA Cohort spans 32 nations across six continents and includes organization founders, social entrepreneurs, art curators, conservatory leaders, concert presenters, producers, theater managers, ballet dancers, film directors, career performers, cultural policy-makers, teaching artists, media consultants, Instrument manufacturers, university professors, and doctoral researchers. 2024 Cohort Members represent Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Historic Palestine & The Levant, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, St. Maarten, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States.

Global MBA Cohort

 

Juan Pablo Aschner

Rosario University

Juan Pablo Aschner

Colombia
Rosario University
Founding Dean

Dr. Juan Pablo (PhD) is the founding Dean of the Faculty of Creative Studies at Universidad del Rosario. With expertise in architecture projects and participatory design, his research and creative work integrates music, film, architecture, and politics.

Jhonatan Ariza

Fundación Bolivar Davivenda

Jhonatan Ariza

Colombia
Fundación Bolivar Davivenda
Leadership Fellow

Colombian cellist and arts leader, Jhonatan Ariza is a member of Filarmónica Joven of Colombia. He holds a bachelor’s in language arts education from La Salle University and a bachelor’s in music from Universitaria Juan N. Corpas.

Laia Azcona Morist

FHNW Hochschule für Musik

Laia Azcona Morist

Switzerland
FHNW Hochschule für Musik
Music Pedagogue

Co-founder of Spirea Quartet, violinist and pedagog Laia Azcona is active in a range of chamber music ensembles and orchestras. A graduate of FHNW Hochschule für Musik Basel, she holds a Master of Arts in Musikalische Performance and Musikpädagogik.

Barbara Banasik

Warsaw Asia & Pacific Museum

Barbara Banasik

Poland
Warsaw Asia & Pacific Museum
Collection Curator

Curator of the Asia and Pacific Museum at the University of Warsaw, Barbara Banasik holds a PhD in Sanskrit.

Paolo Bartolani

Rites of Spring Music Festival

Paolo Bartolani

Italy
Rites of Spring Music Festival
Artistic & Executive Director

Paolo Bartolini is the European Cultural Manager, Founder & Artistic Director of Rites of Spring MF. An expert in funding European Union cultural projects, he has worked with institutions including Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia and La Biennale di Venezia.

Catherine Battenfeld

San Diego Youth Symphony

Catherine Battenfeld

United States
San Diego Youth Symphony
Early Childhood Program Manager

Catherine is an Early Childhood Program Manager at the San Diego Youth Symphony. A former elementary music teacher, she is the owner of an early childhood music business, singer-songwriter, and performer.

Nadine Benjamin

English National Opera

Nadine Benjamin

United Kingdom
English National Opera
Opera Singer & Leadership Coach

Nadine Benjamin is the founder of Everybody Can! An MBE awardee for Opera and Mentorship, she is a board member of Fuel Theatre, Opera Brava, an ambassador of Music Masters, and a Patron of National Opera Studio Diverse Voices.

Tamara Bertram

University of North Dakota

Tamara Bertram

United States
University of North Dakota
Innovation Training Specialist

Tamara Bertram is an Innovation Training Specialist at the University of North Dakota, President of the North Dakota Music Teachers Association, and an active musician in the Grand Forks community ofNorth Dakota, USA.

Frances Bradley-Vilier

Tapology

Frances Bradley-Vilier

United States
Tapology
Artistic Director

Frances Bradley-Vilier is the Artistic Director of Tapology. An interdisciplinary artist, artistic director, learning facilitator, and arts educator, she holds a BFA from The University of the Arts.

Sara Carneiro

Academia Valentim de Carvalho

Sara Carneiro

Portugal
Academia Valentim de Carvalho
Faculty

Portuguese soprano, Sara Carneiro is a member of the faculty of Academia Valentim de Carvalho. Based in Luxembourg, she’s engaged in community choir projects and collaborates on contemporary music with composers.

Janine Coombs

M. Unites Jamaica Foundation

Janine Coombs

Jamaica
M. Unites Jamaica Foundation
Admin. & Projects Manager

Singer-songwriter Janine Coombs, known by the pseudonym Janine Jkuhl, is the Project Manager of the Music United Jamaica Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Popular Music Studies with honors from Edna Manley College.

Alexandra Cruz Rodriguez

Fundación Cantos de la Tierra

Alexandra Cruz Rodriguez

Colombia
Fundación Cantos de la Tierra
Head of Department

Colombian violinist Alexandra Cruz is the Head of the Department for Strings at the Bretten Music School in Germany. Besides being an active performer, she is one of the founders of the Cantos de la Tierra Foundation, where she leads artistic projects for communities.

Gopika Dahanukar

Swahansa Expressive Arts India

Gopika Dahanukar

India
Swahansa Expressive Arts India
Founder

Gopika Dahanukar is the Founder-Director of Swahansa Expressive Arts India. An artist, vocalist, and entrepreneur, she is engaged in expressive arts, social action, and community arts with a focus on the natural world.

Janelle Davidson

Freelance

Janelle Davidson

Panama
Freelance
Theatre Producer

Janelle Davidson is the Former Director General of Panama’s National Institute of Culture. An active theater producer, actress, and singer, she led the restoration of the Panama National Theater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nicole Chantal de Weever

Art Saves Lives Foundation

Nicole Chantal de Weever

St. Maarten
Art Saves Lives Foundation
President

Nicole is an influential figure in arts and culture. Art Saves Lives Founder and President, St. Maarten Cultural Ambassador, NYU Tisch graduate, acclaimed dancer and Astaire Award winner for “Fela!”.

Andrew Dunlop

The Australian Ballet

Andrew Dunlop

Scotland / Australia
The Australian Ballet
Head of Music Staff

Andrew Dunlop is Head of Music Staff & Principal Pianist at The Australian Ballet. He also serves as an ABRSM examiner, composer, arranger, and curator.

Katerine Espinal

Musicaragua

Katerine Espinal

Nicaragua & Norway
Musicaragua
Founder

Katerine Espinel is a Nicaraguan pianist residing in Oslo. Founder of Musicaragua, she also works in Norway at Oslo’s Gjøvik School of Art and Culture, specializing in music therapy and piano.

Natalie Fasheh

Jumblies Theatre & Arts

Natalie Fasheh

Historic Palestine & The Levant
Jumblies Theatre & Arts
Community Arts Facilitator

Natalie Fasheh works at the Jumblies Theatre where she leads vocal music experiences and designs social impact-based choral composition projects rooted in empowerment, cultural awareness, and activism.

Priya Fink

Sistema Ravinia

Priya Fink

United States
Sistema Ravinia
Woodwinds Instructor

Priya Fink is a Flute Teaching Artist at Sistema Ravinia’s Austin Nucleo. Along with teaching, she enjoys freelancing around the Chicago area and is an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Priti Gandhi

Assoc. Dir, Laffont Competition

Priti Gandhi

United States
Assoc. Dir, Laffont Competition
The Metropolitan Opera

Priti Gandhi is the Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition. An opera leader in administration, casting, and advocacy, she’s worked with the Asian Opera Alliance, Opera America, Portland Opera, and Minnesota.

Nathan Giorgetti

Arcangelo

Nathan Giorgetti

United Kingdom
Arcangelo
Assistant Producer

Nathan Giorgetti is the Assistant Producer for Arcangelo. A graduate fellow at the Royal Academy of Music in London, he specializes in Viola da Gamba and Baroque Cello historical performance.

Taianara Goedert

McGill University

Taianara Goedert

Canada
McGill University
Instructor

Taianara Goedert is cofounder of Les Brasileirinhos, Artistic director of Choeur Scénique Brésilien, and an instructor at McGill University. She is a PhD candidate in Music Education at McGill, holding a SSHRC award.

Louise Gorm Nielsen

Lydenskab

Louise Gorm Nielsen

Denmark
Lydenskab
Co-Artistic Director

Co-artistic director of Ensemble Lydenskab, Danish violinist Louise Gorm cultivates artistic and cultural practices centered on participation. Her work as a violinist spans baroque to contemporary music.

Marsailidh Groat

Freelance

Marsailidh Groat

United Kingdom
Freelance
Violist & Workshop Facilitator

Scottish violist Marsailidh Groat is an educator focused on exploring music’s therapeutic potential. Passionate about cross-genre collaborations, she merges poetry, film, music, and movement in multimedia ventures.

Eugenie Guibert

Sartory Artists Ltd France

Eugenie Guibert

France
Sartory Artists Ltd France
Founder & Managing Director

Founder and Managing Director of Sartorie Artists, Eugénie Guibert is a Graduate of Lyon’s Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique and London’s Royal College of Music. Before her career in management, she worked with a wide range of major orchestras as a performer.

Elisabeth Gustave

Festival International du Film DHG

Elisabeth Gustave

Guadeloupe & France
Festival International du Film DHG
Executive Director

Elisabeth Gustave is the Director of Monde En Vues Human Rights Film Festival in Guadalupe.

Timothy Hagen

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Timothy Hagen

United States
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Faculty

Dr. Timothy Hagen is a professor at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and Principal Flute with the Dubuque Symphony. A renowned flutist, composer, and educator, he has also taught at UNC-Greensboro and OSU.

Danielle Hahn

National Gallery of Art

Danielle Hahn

United States
National Gallery of Art
Head of Music Programs

Curator, producer, presenter, and performer, Danielle DeSwert Hahn is the head of music programs at the National Gallery of Art, and co-founder of Living Art Collective Ensemble (LACE).

Sarah Hollandsworth

J.L. Smith Group

Sarah Hollandsworth

United States
J.L. Smith Group
Sales & Marketing Director

Sarah Hollandsworth is Director of Sales & Marketing at the JL Smith Group. An Executive Coach, she has served on the board of the National Flute Association and is an active member of Women of NAMM.

Kristelle Holliday

Théâtre des Petites Lanternes

Kristelle Holliday

Canada
Théâtre des Petites Lanternes
Co-Artistic Director

Kristelle Holliday is Co-Artistic Director for the Théâtre des Petites Lanternes and director of the Rivières de Lumières festival in Quebec, Canada. She specializes in large-scale collaborations at the heart of communities.

Jennifer Johnston

Freelance

Jennifer Johnston

United Kingdom
Freelance
Creative Producer

Known as the ‘Scouse Diva’, Jennifer Johnston is a multi award-winning international opera singer and concert artist, broadcaster, writer, producer and educator.

Irismer Kasamira

El Sistema Congo

Irismer Kasamira

Democratic Republic of the Congo
El Sistema Congo
Executive Director

Irismer Kasamira is the Founding Executive Director of El Sistema Congo.

Elham Khattab

Out of the Circle

Elham Khattab

Egypt
Out of the Circle
Founder and Director

With a fine arts background, Elham Khattab is the Founding Director of Out Of The Circle, which supports visual artists in Egypt. Since 2013, Khattab has organized new media and art festivals, exhibitions, and art research projects connecting Egypt and the world.

Elizabeth Kilpatrick

Freelance

Elizabeth Kilpatrick

United States
Freelance
Educator & Performer

Elizabeth Kilpatrick is a freelance violinist and educator based in Richmond, VA. She works to bring inclusivity to the arts by working to fulfill community needs through teaching and performance.

Johanna Kulke

Eleas Quartet

Johanna Kulke

Switzerland
Eleas Quartet
Founder

German-Swiss violinist and composer Johanna Kulke is the founder of Eleas Quartet. She performs as a soloist and with Swiss orchestras and her compositions are widely played throughout the country.

Shanna Lin

Wharton Arts

Shanna Lin

United States
Wharton Arts
Paterson Music Project Director

Shanna Lin is the Founding Director of the Paterson Music Project. She is also the Project Manager for the El Sistema NJ Alliance and is currently a teaching coach for the Academy for Impact Through Music Firebird Fellowship.

Antonio Pedro Lopes

Freelance

Antonio Pedro Lopes

Portugal
Freelance
Artistic Director & Curator

Antonio Pedro Lopes is a Portuguese Artistic Director and Curator who directed the Ponta Delgada Azores 2027 European Capital Of Culture bid. He has co-founded and curated global events including Tremor Festival, Fabric Arts Festival, and MAPAS.

Katherine Man Yim Mak

Government of Hong Kong

Katherine Man Yim Mak

China
Government of Hong Kong
Cultural Services Assistant Manager

Katherine Man Yim Mak is Assistant Manager of Cultural Services at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of The Government of The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Emily Marks

Lionheart Live Arts

Emily Marks

United States
Lionheart Live Arts
Founder

Emily Marks is a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow and the Founder of Girls Rock Austin and Lionheart Live Arts. She serves on the Historic Cossitt Library, uniting artists, activists, and innovators to reimagine the possibilities of what a library can be.

Ihlara McIndoe

Composers Association of New Zealand

Ihlara McIndoe

New Zealand
Composers Association of New Zealand
Convenor

Ihlara McIndoe is a composer and arts administrator and a Graduate fellow in Musicology at McGill University. She is the Convenor of the Composers Association of New Zealand’s national composer workshop and a McGill teaching assistant.

Caitlin McKee

University of British Columbia

Caitlin McKee

Canada
University of British Columbia
Arts & Partnerships Manager

Caitlin McKee manages programs and partnerships at the University of British Columbia’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. She’s a board member of the BC Touring Council and a past President of the Dancing on the Edge Festival Society.

Margaret O’Shea

Ark Schools

Margaret O’Shea

United Kingdom
Ark Schools
Director of Creative Curriculum

Margaret O’Shea is Director of Creative and Extended Curriculum at Ark Schools. She is also the Conductor of Farnham Youth Choirs and a Board Member of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

Jessica Oddie

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Jessica Oddie

New Zealand
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Ass. Principal Second Violin

A graduate of Juilliard and Yale, Jessica Oddie is Assistant Principal Second at the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She has performed globally, including at Teatro La Fenice and Lincoln Center, and has served as concertmaster at the Victoria Opera.

Karolina Ogrodowska

Nat. Institute of Music & Dance

Karolina Ogrodowska

Poland
Nat. Institute of Music & Dance
Polish Music Impresariat Specialist

Karolina Ogrodowska works at Poland’s National Institute of Music and Dance, where she works to advance leadership and cultural diplomacy. She is a flutist, arts manager, and producer with a Master’s from Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

Miroslava Panayotova

University of Arkansas

Miroslava Panayotova

Bulgaria
University of Arkansas
Teaching Assistant Professor

Dr. Miroslava Panayotova is Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Renowned recitalist and concerto soloist, she performs across the United States and internationally.

Anna Carolina Pelaes-Shapiro

Caramoor Art Center

Anna Carolina Pelaes-Shapiro

United States
Caramoor Art Center
Marketing & Guest Relations

Anna Carolina Pelaes (MMus) coordinates Marketing and Guest Relations at The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.

Joseph Peterson

Reno Chamber Orchestra

Joseph Peterson

United States
Reno Chamber Orchestra
Director of Ops & Artistic Planning

Joseph Peterson is Director of Operations & Artistic Planning for the Reno Chamber Orchestra and Nevada Chamber Music Festival. An active musician and arts administrator, he also works as Trombonist in the Reno Philharmonic.

Fabiana Raunelli

Sinfonia por el Perú

Fabiana Raunelli

Peru
Sinfonia por el Perú
Manager of Ensembles

Fabiana Raunelli is a Cultural Manager with experience in arts management and developing public policies in culture and education. She is Manager of Central Ensembles at Sinfonia por el Perú, a national organization working for social development through music.

Jorge Rehlaender

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Jorge Rehlaender

Mexico
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Professor

Jorge Rehlaender is a Mexican songwriter and producer who is the founder of an Acoustic Design Firm and a professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Jorge has performed at Nrmal and Pal’ Norte Festivals, two of Latin America’s most influential music events.

Pía Rodríguez

European School of Luxembourg II

Pía Rodríguez

Costa Rica & Belgium
European School of Luxembourg II
Faculty

Costa Rican flutist Pía Rodríguez teaches at The European School of Luxembourg, promoting music education for youth and communities. An active flutist with degrees from HEM-Geneva and Carnegie Mellon, she performs and teaches worldwide.

Janna Sailor

Director

Janna Sailor

Canada
Director
Canadian Music Centre

Janna is a conductor, violinist, and visionary leading Canadian orchestras, producing for CBC Calgary, and director of the Canadian Music Centre. Advocating music inclusivity, she mentors, fundraises for immigrants, and commissions compositions for social change.

Sara Samuels

Shalva National Center

Sara Samuels

Israel
Shalva National Center
Arts Programs Executive

Sara Samuels is an Arts Program Executive at Israel’s Shalva National Centre. She is also an active musician and songwriter dedicated to empowering and helping others through her work as an artist.

Alessandra Sbriscia Fioretti

Fondazione | Teatri

Alessandra Sbriscia Fioretti

Italy
Fondazione | Teatri
Marketing & Fundraising Manager

Dr. Alessandra Sbriscia Fioretti is the Manager of Fundraising & Special Projects at Italy’s Fondazione Teatri Reggio Emilia.

Elad Schechter

CATAMON Dance Group Jerusalem

Elad Schechter

Israel
CATAMON Dance Group Jerusalem
Artistic Director & Founder

Elad Schechter is the Founder of CATAMON Dance Group. A dancer, choreographer, and cultural leader, he is the creator of festivals including ‘From Jaffa to Agripas’ and ‘Room Service,’ and the force behind the ‘Interstices’ joint project of Montreal and Jerusalem.

Everton Silva

92NY

Everton Silva

United States
92NY
Teaching Artist

Brazilian percusionist and entrepreneur Everton Silva is a Teaching Artist at 92NY in New York City. Born in Salvador, Brazil, he earned his Bachelors from UFBA, specializing in Northeastern Brazilian rhythms. A master player and global teacher, his work is widely recognized across the music community.

Cameron Smith

OAcademy

Cameron Smith

United States
OAcademy
Fellow

Composer, cellist, and researcher Cameron Smith has worked with ensembles including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Denver Philharmonic, and Sinfónica Azteca.

Elizabeth Snow

Northeast Community Center

Elizabeth Snow

United States
Northeast Community Center
Music Therapy & Impact Manager

Elizabeth Snow is the Impact and Music Therapy Manager at Harmony Project KC. She is a certified Music Therapist with degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance.

Oscar Ssenyonga

Mambya Arts Foundation

Oscar Ssenyonga

Uganda
Mambya Arts Foundation
Artistic Director

Oscar Ssenyonga is Executive and Artistic Director of the Mambya Arts Foundation in Uganda. With 15+ years’ experience in arts, activism, and business leadership, he holds degrees in Performing Arts and Film from Makerere University.

Fiona Stevens

Concerto Köln

Fiona Stevens

Germany
Concerto Köln
Chief Executive Director

Dr. Fiona Stevens is CEO of Concerto Köln and is a lecturer for music in the context of social work at the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt.

Nicole Taylor

Bridge to the Arts Program

Nicole Taylor

United States
Bridge to the Arts Program
Artistic & Program Director

Nicole is a U.S. Department of State Arts Envoy. Founder of Creativity Through Music and Director of Bridge To The Arts for youth empowerment, she is an Advocate for the Teaching Artists Guild, founder of Music At Portside, and serves on the board of Bridges Charter School.

Tiffany Tieu

Universidad Católica de Chile

Tiffany Tieu

United States & Chile
Universidad Católica de Chile
Assistant Professor of Violin

Tiffany Tieu is Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. An educator, performer, and teaching artist, her work with music and the community has brought across the Americas working with youth, older adults, and orchestra programs.

Nicholas Trygstad

Principal Cello

Nicholas Trygstad

United Kingdom
Principal Cello
Hallé Orchestra Manchester

American-British cellist Nicholas Trygstad is principal cello of the Hallé Orchestra and tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music. He is a board member and core player of Manchester Collective, currently resident at London’s Southbank Centre.

Andrés Tucci Clarke

Sistema Toronto Academy

Andrés Tucci Clarke

Canada
Sistema Toronto Academy
Chief Operating Officer

Andrés Tucci is Chief Operating Officer of Sistema Toronto. In addition to leadership and admin responsibilities, he oversees the teachers and site supervisors of Sistema Toronto and visits centres to help mentor teachers and connect with community members.

Rachel Watson

Winston-Salem Symphony

Rachel Watson

United States
Winston-Salem Symphony
Senior Director of Education

Rachel Watson is Senior Director of Education, Engagement, and Inclusion at the Winston-Salem Symphony. She leads various educational initiatives including P.L.A.Y. Music and the Mary Starling Education Concerts.

Nagham Wehbe

Arts Consulting Group

Nagham Wehbe

United States & Lebanon
Arts Consulting Group
Research Practice Lead

An analyst, strategist, and storyteller with a diverse background, Nagham Wehbe is the Research Practice Leader at Arts Consulting Group. She a recipient of the Arab America Foundation’s 40 under 40 Award.

Pablo Zamora Mata

Atlanta Symphony

Pablo Zamora Mata

Costa Rica
Atlanta Symphony
Teaching Artist

Pablo Zamora Mata is a teaching artist at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Music Project, and a Session Coordinator at OAcademy Music Conservatory.