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Global MBA Cohort

2025 Cohort

After a thorough selection process involving exceptional candidates from across the globe, 70 remarkable arts leaders have been chosen for the 2025 MBA Journey. This year’s Cohort, representing 29 nations across six continents, brings together a dynamic group of innovators playing wide-ranging roles in the arts sector: founders, social entrepreneurs, curators, conservatory leaders, presenters, producers, performers, cultural policymakers, teaching artists, media consultants, instrument makers, professors, and researchers. The 2025 Cohort Members come from Argentina, Australia, Belize, Canada, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Israel, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Giovanni is a musician, educator, and cultural leader. Board Member and Program Manager at Piccola Accademia dell’Arte, where he develops inclusive music programs, artistic initiatives, and community projects across Liguria.

Italy
Piccola Accademia dell’Arte
Board Member & Program Manager

Kwame Alston is a public service sales capture professional at Accenture, entrepreneur, and community advocate. He is also passionate about the arts and aspires to represent Maryland’s 7th district in Congress.
United States
Y.K. Visions
Founder & CEO
Nifemi, founder and CEO of Styled By Nif, Inc. in Edmonton, AB, Canada, champions diversity, sustainable development, and creative innovation in the fashion industry.
Nigeria & Canada
Styled by Nif, Inc.
Founder & CEO
Emilia is the Founder and Creative Director of LIANA, an organization promoting sustainable craft processes in indigenous communities in Colombia.
Colombia
Liana Creativa
Founder
Steve is the Program Leader for Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Born & raised in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand), Barry is active in the music industry as a performer, accompanist, educator, and consultant.
New Zealand & Australia
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Program Leader for Jazz
Derek is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Teach To Learn. He also serves on the faculty at the New England Conservatory and is a Development Officer for the Boston Philharmonic.
United States
Boston Philarmonic
Managing Director
Former member of the Halle Orchestra, Alex served in the British Army and now freelances as a project manager and producer for major arts organizations in the UK.

United Kingdom
English National Ballet
Project Manager

Angela is the founder of Musician’s Well, a platform showcasing injury recovery stories. She frequently performs with The Philadelphia Orchestra and coaches chamber music at Northwestern University and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory.

United States
Musician’s Well
Founder

Michael is the Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, an independent state agency for the arts, humanities, and culture in Massachusetts. He is also a published playwright working on several new commissions.

United States
Mass Cultural Council
Executive Director

Renata is the General Director of the Opera House in Poznań, Poland, and a board member of Opera Europa Association.
Poland
Poznań Opera House
General Manager
Faith is the Co-Founder and CEO of NEXT, a cultural branding organization that promotes emerging artists at the intersection of arts and social action.
United States
NEXT
CEO
Daniel C
Daniel is a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Glasgow, UK. He moved from Spain to Scotland to study the folk traditions of the British Isles and now performs Celtic, Spanish, and Scandinavian music with Live Music Now Scotland.

Spain
Live Music Now Scotland
Composer & Teaching Artist

Nicole, a Hong Kong-Canadian soprano and harpist, has received several international vocal awards and explores innovative management approaches to attract modern audiences to opera.
Canada
McGill University
Doctoral Scholar
Jose Maria, a director of opera and musical theater, is a member of the San Francisco Opera. He previously served as the Artistic Director of Opera Santa Barbara and as the Chair of Opera at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Argentina & United States
San Francisco Opera
Director & Assistant Director
Jaylan, a Belizean dance educator, is the Founder of Modern Dance Movement, offering dance instruction to students of all ages. She serves as a board member at Belize’s National Institute of Culture and History.
Belize
Modern Dance Movement
Founder & Creative Director
Jennifer is an arts project architect and consultant with over 20 years of global experience. She founded Classical:NEXT, an international forum for art music professionals.

Germany & Canada
JDJK Consulting
Co-founder

Sam is the founder and Artistic Director of The Untold Orchestra in Manchester, UK. With 15 years of experience in the creative sector, he focuses on using the orchestra as a tool for community building.
United Kingdom
The Untold Orchestra
Founder & Artistic Director
Berlin-based Arianna is a Project Manager at the Pierre Boulez Saal. Previously, she worked in the Artistic Planning and Education departments at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Costa Rica
Pierre Boulez Saal
Project Manager, Artistic Planning
Venezuelan violinist Daniela is the Vice President of Artistic & Education Programs at the Classical Music Institute. She is a former member of El Sistema’s Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela.
Venezuela
Classical Music Institute
VP of Artistic & Education Programs
Jamie, a Brooklyn-based creative, serves as Program Administrator and Academic Advisor for Music Education at NYU, focusing on bridging communities through the arts.
United States
Belongó
Director of Education

Amanda is the Administrative Director at the Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation in Pennsylvania, USA. With a background in music education, she is leading the launch of the SPARC, a new community center based on arts and education for all.

United States
Upper Darby A&E Foundation
Administrative Director

María Gabriela is the Administrative Director of the Cartagena Symphony Orchestra in Colombia. Under her leadership, the CSO has expanded its impact through new partnerships, reaching more diverse audiences.
Colombia
Cartagena Music Festival
Administrative Director
Leveraging his experience in opera and marketing, Jorge works at Reina Sofía School of Music as Sponsorship and Strategic Development Manager to drive impact through cross-sector collaborations.
Spain
Reina Sofía School of Music
Strategic Development Manager
Colombian lawyer María Angélica is the Executive Director of the Corporación Literatura Para Todos, an organization focused on arts-based human development.
Colombia
Literatura para Todos
Executive Director
Tanya is an internationally recognized pianist and Artistic Director of Sound Bites, blending culinary, oenophile, and musical experiences.
United States
Sound Bites
Artistic Director

Simón is the Founder and Director of Fundación InConcerto and Festival MúsicaOcupa, advancing Ecuador’s music scene. He was also de Music Director at Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre.

Ecuador
Fundación InConcerto
Founder and Director

Virginia is a lawyer specializing in Performing Arts Management at the Accademia Teatro alla Scala and the Business School of Politecnico di Milano.
Italy
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
Superintendence
Kathleen, a former cultural advisor to Portugal’s Prime Minister, is a cultural manager and curator with a background in journalism, including work as an international correspondent in the US and Brazil.
Portugal
Portugal Public Sector
Cultural & Artistic Advisor
Sarah is the Founding Artistic Director of Philly Children’s Theatre, where she focuses on expanding arts accessibility for families through imaginative storytelling.
United States
Philly Children’s Theatre
Founding Artistic Director
Adam G

Adam is the co-founder of Almanak Creative—a production and consulting agency supporting artists—as well as a bassist and educator, performing across folk and classical styles and teaching at New England Conservatory Prep and Wayland School of Music.

United States
Almanak Creative
Co-Founder

Dafna is a practitioner of Contact Improvisation Dance and Group Improvisation, leading programs and working with diverse groups in Israel.
Israel
Contact Improvisation
Creative Producer
Christopher is an NYC-based arts administrator working in Juilliard’s Registrar’s Office. He was a 2023 Essentials of Orchestra Management Fellow at the League of American Orchestras.
United States
The Julliard School
Registrar & Schedule Admin
Benjamin Hunter
Seattle-based polymath Benjamin serves as the Artistic Director of Northwest Folklife, curating and coordinating concerts, exhibits, markets, and collaborative productions that elevate and expand the world of folk music.
United States
Northwest Folklife
Artistic Director
Jennifer Irons is an award-winning choreographer based in the UK, creating dynamic works spanning large-scale outdoor festivals, commercial music videos, film, TV, and theatre.
Canada
makeAMPLIFY
Co-Artistic Director

Helena, winner of the University Women in the Arts Award, is a freelance international theatre director and producer. Her experience includes serving as Associate Director at Schauspiel Frankfurt and the Ruhrtriennale, as well as Artistic Director of Sleepless Theatre Company.

United Kingdom & Germany
Ruhrtriennale
Theatre Director and Producer

Zeina is a seasoned production manager in the performing arts, with experience as a dancer, dance teacher, theatre producer, and former Head of Production at the Royal Opera House Muscat. She currently serves as Senior Production Manager at the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.

Lebanon
Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation
Production Manager
Anselma Jones

Anselma Jones is a Violin & Viola Instructor at Pallotti School of Music, Interim Director of UB Steel, Steel Pannist of Omolewa Osain & Pantempters Steel Orchestra, and Principal Violist for Belize.

Belize
Anselma Robin Music Studio at PSM
Founder & Teaching Artist

Jim is an award-winning media designer specializing in film, generative art, and exhibitions, contributing to Alberta’s media arts community.
Canada
Medicine Hat College
Senior Media Design Educator
Venus-Tyané is the Co-Founder and Culture & Engagement Director of an arts-centered high school.
United States
Arts & Education Organization
Culture & Engagement Director
Sagan is a curator and cultural strategist. As a member of Arts Consultants Canada, she contributes to advancing the arts through innovative programming and strategic advisory roles.
Canada
Arts Consultants Canada
Curator & Cultural Strategist
Herman is the Director of Visitor and Guest Services at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, leading transformative initiatives that integrate museum innovation with social impact.
United States
The Smithsonian, NMAAHC
Director, Visitor & Guest Services
Cristian is a PhD candidate in Historical Musicology at the University of Auckland, specializing in the socio-political dynamics of nineteenth-century chamber music. He is also a violinist with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
Mexico
University of Auckland
Doctoral Scholar

Lorena is the Consortium Manager of Europe Beyond Access, advocating for disabled and Deaf artists through international collaborations.  She leads innovative and creative initiatives that enhance accessibility and sustainability.

Mexico & Sweden
Europe Beyond Access
Consortium Project Manager
Kirit M

Indian-Canadian violinist Kirit Mascarenhas is the Production and Development Coordinator with Ensemble Obiora. Along with his active career as a freelance violinist, he is dedicated to community engagement, creative collaboration, and advancing diversity within Canada’s classical music landscape.

Canada
Sistema Toronto
Teaching Artist

Austin McFarland is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and arts entrepreneur with a portfolio career spanning nonprofit leadership, instrument manufacturing, community teaching, and business development.

United States
New Works Project
Executive Director
Genevieve, Founder of the DC Singer Collective, draws on her experience across nonprofits and the private sector to develop programming that contributes to artist and audience well-being.
United States
DC Singer Collective
Founder & Chief Artistic Director
Katie is a freelance dramaturg specializing in new play development and applied theater. Her work focuses on teaching history, social justice, and activism through the arts in both classroom and non-traditional settings.
United States
The Watermill Center
Education Manager
Nikki N
Iranian-American violinist Nikki works in the New England Conservatory’s Expanded Education Department and is the founder of Glass Artists, a musician entertainment agency.

United States
Glass Artists
Founder & CEO

Murathe is a poet, spoken word artist, and photographer based in Kenya. A winner of several poetry competitions held in Nairobi, he captures theatre performances and concerts under his brand, Pichad.
Kenya
Pichad
Founder & CEO
Terry, a specialist in Japanese traditional music, lectures in the Department of Music at the University of California. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of TaikoMix, an organization preserving taiko cultural heritage through education and performance.
United States
TaikoMix
Executive Director
Yannick is a social innovation consultant and co-founder of Kayou Jazz Club, which provides music education access to underprivileged Cameroon-based children while supporting local artists.
Cameroon
Kayou Jazz Club
Managing Partner
Daniel is a Colombian violinist and Concertmaster at the KSU Orchestra, teaching at Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá and directing Arcosur, a festival connecting regional talent with educational opportunities.
Colombia
Kent State University Orchestra
Concertmaster & 2nd Violins Head
Jacqueline is the Principal Bassist of the LaGrange and Columbus Symphony Orchestras. She is a Double Bass Instructor at Spelman College in Atlanta, USA, and the Founder of the League of Women Bassplayers.
United States
League of Women Bassplayers, Inc.
Founder & President
US-based producer with a collaboration track record including Boston Baroque, Detroit Opera, and The Metropolitan Opera, Principe drives 21st-century classical arts conversations through transmedia storytelling.
United States
Principe Dynamics
Founder
Luke is a PhD candidate in Musicology at McGill University, researching the historical role of cultural diplomacy in shaping the globalization of the popular music industry.
United Kingdom
McGill University
Researcher on Cultural Diplomacy
Diane R
Diane is an entertainment lawyer and community advocate dedicated to civic engagement. She is the Executive Producer of the Leimert Park Jazz Festival in Los Angeles, overseeing the festival’s production.

United States
Leimert Park Jazz Festival
Executive Director

María Andrea is a multidisciplinary artist and Founder/Artistic Director of Sucre Mecere Opera, which aims to make opera more accessible in Colombia’s Caribbean Region.
Colombia
Sucre Merece Opera
Founder & Artistic Director
GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer Michael is on faculty at Carnegie Hall’s Summer Music Educators Workshop. He also works with students throughout the Chicago area as a teaching artist for the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.
United States
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
Teaching Artist
Alyssa is the Artistic Director of the Ears Wide Open concert series, leading a team to bring high-quality live music to community members through non-traditional venues, thoughtful programming, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Peru
Ears Wide Open at UofSC
Artistic Director
Lisa is the Director of Development at the Daniel Barenboim Foundation for the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and other initiatives. She is also the Co-Founder of alma, a network uniting arts and music pioneers to drive cultural change in Germany
Germany
Daniel Barenboim Foundation
Director of Development
Adi Sha’al is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vertigo Dance Association, a contemporary dance company based in Jerusalem that provides educational and performance opportunities to professional dancers.
Israel
Vertigo Dance Association
Co-Founder, CEO

Creatrix Tiara is an artist who creates hybrid worlds to connect communities. They work across writing, performance, media, gaming, and arts, blending whimsy with current affairs and online/offline culture. As a director and producer, they now focus on bridging video games and performing arts through experiential and physical projects.

Australia & Malaysia
Arts & Media, Technology & Games
Creative Professional

Christina is a dance educator, arts research interventionist, and higher education arts administrator studying the intersections of dance and health at Wake Forest University.
United States
Wake Forest University
Dance Educator
Jan is the Founder of Instytut B61, a Polish initiative that bridges art and science through immersive experiences. Holding an MA in Astrophysics and a PhD in Culture Studies, he has curated numerous exhibitions, including the Polish Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020.
Poland
Instytut B61
Director
Joe is a singer-songwriter, researcher, and cultural manager from the island of Old Providence. He manages Yehman Rekaad and Fire Band while also leading an active music career as an instrumentalist, composer, and producer.
Colombia
Yehman Rekaad
Manager
Anthony is the Social Media Coordinator for the Frances Clark Center. He is interested in exploring the intersection of technology and music education to unlock new opportunities in the field.
United States
The Frances Clark Center
Social Media Coordinator
Sandra, a musician and sound engineer from San Andrés, Colombia, co-founded Fundación Cultura Unísono, offering teacher training and young artist development to enhance the local music scene.
Colombia
Fundación Cultural Unísono
Co-Founder
Jacob is the Development Coordinator at the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. An advocate of music education, he previously served on the board of the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras.
United States
GTCYS
Development Coordinator
A former Joffrey Ballet touring dancer, Laurel represented the US in the 2015 International Ballet Competition and founded DanceAspen in 2021, where she continues to serve as Executive Director.
United States
DanceAspen
Founder & Executive Director
Laura is the Chief Curator of the Arts Unit at Banco de la República and the Founder of Global Warning Agency, bridging sustainability and creativity in Colombia.
Colombia
Banco de la República Art Museums
Chief Curator
Celina is the Deputy Director of City Miniatura Theatre, a Polish cultural venue dedicated to nurturing creativity and imagination. With over 20 years of experience in the arts, including her role as Deputy Director in Gdańsk’s Mayor’s Office for Culture, she also coordinates the city’s Education for Culture program.
Poland
Deputy Director
Miniatura City Theatre

The GLI recognizes that across the arts, many of the highest-level career artists (prodigies, dancers, etc.) have pursued their professions from a young age and therefore may not possess a conventional academic background.

GLI acknowledges these exceptional career experiences, which in certain cases may serve in place of the bachelor’s degree required for admission to the Global Arts MBA.