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2022 Cohort

Following a global review process involving hundreds of highly accomplished candidates from around the world, a Cohort of 60 rising changemakers in music was selected to take part in the 2022 GLI Journey. The 2022 Cohort comprises 29 nations, spanning six continents, and includes project founders, social entrepreneurs, teaching artists, concert presenters, professional orchestra musicians, university & conservatory professors, & doctoral researchers. 2022 Cohort Members represent Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eswatini, the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Historic Palestine & The Levant, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States, & Venezuela.

Global MBA Cohort

 

Alberto Acquilino

Western University

Alberto Acquilino

Canada & Italy
Western University
Researcher

Dr. Alberto Acquilino is a researcher in Music Education at Western University. His work combines music, engineering and technology to create innovative, inclusive approaches to learning and performing music.

Claire Ahern

Sistema New Brunswick

Claire Ahern

Canada
Sistema New Brunswick
Teaching Artist

Canadian conductor and flautist Claire Ahern is a teaching artist with Sistema New Brunswick, instructs voice and piano at InterAction School of Performing Arts, and is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Fountain School of Performing Arts.

Laura Azuaje

Laura Azuaje Cello Studio

Laura Azuaje

United States
Laura Azuaje Cello Studio
Founder

Venezuelan-American cellist Laura Azuaje holds a MM degree in Cello Performance from University of Memphis. She founded and owns a private studio in Katy, TX, where she teaches students of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Ignacio Barrón Viela

Billings Symphony

Ignacio Barrón Viela

United States & Spain
Billings Symphony
Executive Director

Ignacio Barrón Viela holds degrees from Univ of Zaragoza and USC Marshall School of Business. He was selected to be one of twelve orchestra professionals to participate in the League of American Orchestras Emerging Leaders Program.

Benjamin Bayl

Conductor

Benjamin Bayl

Australia & Hungary
Conductor
Freelance Artist

Benjamin Bayl is an Australian/Dutch symphony orchestra and opera conductor who works with artists across the world. His special interests include period instrument performance, education, and bringing new audiences to classical music.

Julián Camilo Bernal

Pentatono Producciones

Julián Camilo Bernal

Colombia
Pentatono Producciones
Founder

Julián Camilo Bernal holds Masters degrees from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad EAN, and Universidad Antonio Nebrija de Madrid. He is an orchestral musician with experience in teaching, management, and cultural policies.

Brian Bersh

Arlington Public Schools

Brian Bersh

United States
Arlington Public Schools
Music Educator

Brian Bersh is a music educator for Arlington Public Schools. His roles have included elementary instrumental instructor, Lead Teacher for Secondary Instrumental Instruction, Director of Bands, and Music Department Chair for Yorktown High School.

Ana Guiomar Blanco

Music Management GB

Ana Guiomar Blanco

Spain
Music Management GB
Founding Director

Spanish pianist, musicologist, and cultural manager Ana-Guiomar Blanco has 20 years of experience as an artist and educational manager. She is the Founding Director of the music agency Music Management GB and the educational platform World Kids.

Natalia Bohórquez

Sistema New Brunswick

Natalia Bohórquez

Colombia
Sistema New Brunswick
Teaching Artist

Colombian cellist Natalia Bohórquez holds a MM degree from the Longy School of Music. She is a teaching artist at Sistema New Brunswick, the Co-Founder of ensembles Cabo Sur and Dúo Guajira, and the producer and host of Cielo Sounds Podcast.

Fredrika Brillembourg

Mezzo-Soprano

Fredrika Brillembourg

United States & Germany
Mezzo-Soprano
WQXR Radio Host

Mezzo-soprano Fredrika Brillembourg has made an international career singing leading roles such as Carmen, Octavian, and Amneris in productions worldwide. She was also the host and creator of radio show Leitmotifs.

Juanita Calderón

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Juanita Calderón

Colombia
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Teaching Artist

Juanita Calderón holds a BA in Language Teaching and is finishing her Music Education and Choral Conducting studies. She believes art and language are deeply rooted in human culture and is committed to transforming lives through music and education.

Hannah Carpenter

Surrey Arts

Hannah Carpenter

New Zealand & United Kingdom
Surrey Arts
Voice Teacher and Choral Director

Hannah Carpenter is a freelance singer, teacher, and choral conductor in New Zealand. She is the Founder of the Tron Songsters Children’s choir and passionate about education, young voices, and creating communities through song.

Zinia Chan

DeepBlue – Cultivate+

Zinia Chan

Australia
DeepBlue – Cultivate+
Co-Artistic Director

Composer Zinia Chan has been awarded and recognized by Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, & Australian Music Centre. She is known for her community-minded approach to interdisciplinary artforms.

Kathryn Patricia Cobbler

National Arts Centre

Kathryn Patricia Cobbler

Canada
National Arts Centre
Teaching Artist

Loop pedal violist, composer, & educator Kathryn Patricia Cobbler has crafted a singular niche in improvisation & classical performance. She explores the link between music & community connection.

Emily Davis

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Emily Davis

United Kingdom
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Associate Leader

Violinist Emily Davis leads a busy career as an orchestral leader, soloist, and teacher. She is the Associate Leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and a Violin Professor at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh.

Kristine Dizon

Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Kristine Dizon

United States
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Doctoral Scholar

Kristine Dizon is an international artist and teacher. Recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship & Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia, her research focuses on “Remaking: The Reshaping of Sound in Portuguese Musical Comedies.”

Barbara Domingos

Paulista Women’s Orchestra

Barbara Domingos

Brazil
Paulista Women’s Orchestra
Concertmaster

Brazilian violinist Barbara Domingos acts as a performer at Safira Trio, Youth Orchestra of São Paulo and is Concertmaster of the Paulista Women’s Orchestra. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Federal University of Minas Gerais.

Steven Edwards

Delgado Community College

Steven Edwards

United States
Delgado Community College
Honors Director

Steven Edwards is Director of the Honors Program and Professor of Music at Delgado Community College in Louisiana. He has been the Music Director of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans since 1990.

Helen Ella

Conservatoire à Rayonnement

Helen Ella

France & UK
Conservatoire à Rayonnement
Specialist Music Leader

Helen Ella is an educational outreach specialist and Scottish Choral Director based in Saintes, France. She also works in arts administration and music production for the Edinburgh Festivals.

Natalie Fasheh

Jumblies Theatre and Arts

Natalie Fasheh

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

Natalie Fasheh leads vocal music experiences and designs social impact-based choral composition projects rooted in empowerment, cultural awareness, and activism.

Margaret Gonzalez

Music Mission San Francisco

Margaret Gonzalez

Venezuela
Music Mission San Francisco
Founder & Artistic Director

Venezuelan violist & violinist Margaret Gonzalez has performed with the National Orchestra of Venezuela. As Founder & Artistic Director of Music Mission San Francisco, she aims to provide social change through music for inner-city youth.

Josefina Guzmán

Boston University

Josefina Guzmán

Dominican Republic
Boston University
Fundación Sinfonía Fellow

Dominican violinist Josefina Guzmán has performed with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and is currently pursuing a Performance Diploma from Boston University. She enjoys performing in orchestral and chamber settings.

Alfonso Hernandez

FIMC Guatemala

Alfonso Hernandez

Guatemala
FIMC Guatemala
Co-Founder

Alfonso Hernandez is a DMA candidate at the University of Maryland researching Guatemalan piano literature. A passionate educator, he co-founded the Festival Internacional de Música de Cámara de Guatemala.

Gabriel Iscuissati

Ilumina Music

Gabriel Iscuissati

Brazil
Ilumina Music
Innovation Coordinator

Gabriel Iscuissati is a native of Brazil and lives in Austria, where he is a Teaching Assistant at Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien. He is Coordinator at Ilumina Music with young artist engagement and innovation.

McKinley James

Schulich School of Music

McKinley James

Canada & United States
Schulich School of Music
Graduate Student

Classical and traditional cellist McKinley James has toured and taught internationally. She is currently a graduate student at McGill’s Schulich School of Music.

Laura Jay

Buffalo String Works

Laura Jay

United States
Buffalo String Works
Teaching Artist

Laura Jay is a violist currently teaching orchestra at Kenmore East High School in Tonawanda, New York, USA. In addition, Laura is a member of the faculty at Buffalo String Works, a nonprofit after-school music program.

Adam Jeffrey

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Adam Jeffrey

Australia
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Ensemble Coach

Adam Jeffrey is a percussionist, conductor, teacher, and music writer from Sydney, Australia. He performs as a Guest Principal Timpani with the Sydney Symphony and studies Orchestral Conducting at the University of Adelaide.

Angie Joseph

Florida Atlantic University

Angie Joseph

United States
Florida Atlantic University
Arts Entrepreneur

American artist Angie Joseph is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College where she spent the past four years fully immersed in an interdisciplinary learning environment.

Rebecca Kim

Soundscapes

Rebecca Kim

United States
Soundscapes
Orchestra Director

Rebecca Kim is the Orchestra Director at Soundscapes, an El Sistema-inspired program in Newport News, Virginia. She holds degrees in music from James Madison University, East Carolina University, and The Boston Conservatory.

Grace Laminack

Bridges – Musik Verbindet

Grace Laminack

Germany & United States
Bridges – Musik Verbindet
Performing Artist

Grace Laminack graduated from Boston Conservatory. Partnering with organizations specializing in integration for refugees, she is passionate about using music to build bridges cross-culturally.

Anita Lee

Tianjin Juilliard School

Anita Lee

Taiwan & Canada
Tianjin Juilliard School
Faculty

Anita Lee is Founder of Music Go Global and an international educator across North America, Asia, and Europe. She received degrees in violin performance, linguistics, and education from Univ of British Columbia and Harvard Univ.

Hyeeun Lee

Africa Ntjilo Empowerment

Hyeeun Lee

Eswatini & South Korea
Africa Ntjilo Empowerment
Managing Director

Hyeeun Lee, a business professional from Boston, found a vision in changing the lives of African children through music education. She is now Co-Founder and Managing Director of Africa Ntjilo Empowerment, an El Sistema-inspired NPO in Eswatini.

Sofia Marafona

The Nucleo Project

Sofia Marafona

Portugal
The Nucleo Project
Teacher

Portuguese soprano Sofia Marafona is a recent graduate from the International Opera Academy in Belgium. Apart from teaching at the Nucleo Project in London, she collaborates with several music institutions both as a recitalist and an opera soloist.

Rose Martus

Uni. North Carolina Greensboro

Rose Martus

United States
Uni. North Carolina Greensboro
Graduate Assistant

Rose Martus is a recent graduate of UNC Greensboro in Flute Performance. A freelance educator and content creator, Rose has worked with higher ed. organizations and arts presenter orgs. to facilitate engagement with audiences.

Manuel Matarrita

Universidad de Costa Rica

Manuel Matarrita

Costa Rica
Universidad de Costa Rica
Professor

Two-time winner of the National Music Award of Costa Rica, Manuel Matarrita is an active soloist, collaborative performer, and composer. He currently serves as professor of piano at the University of Costa Rica and President of WPTA-COSTA RICA.

Katie McDermitt Blandford

El Sistema Indianapolis

Katie McDermitt Blandford

United States
El Sistema Indianapolis
President of the Board of Directors

Katie McDermitt Blandford is an Indianapolis flutist and educator, Co-Founder of the Indiana Private Music Teachers Guild, and President of the Board for El Sistema Indianapolis. She earned her BM in Flute Performance and Spanish from Butler University.

Alejandra Mendoza

1991-2022

Alejandra Mendoza

In Memoriam
1991-2022
Organization of American States

Alejandra Mendoza impacted the world and inspired her peers as a violinist, conductor, and the national coordinator of the Organization of American States’ OASIS program in Honduras, which teaches social emotional skills through music.

Nathan Mertens

Hastings College

Nathan Mertens

United States
Hastings College
Assistant Professor

American saxophonist Nathan Mertens has performed recitals in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and throughout the United States. He currently serves as Assistant Professor at Hastings College.

Daniel Montes

Schola Cantorum Argentina

Daniel Montes

Honduras & Bolivia
Schola Cantorum Argentina
Latin American General Coordinator

A graduate of Santa Cecilia Conservatory (Rome), Daniel Montes is the founder of the FAO Philharmonic Orchestra and currently the Latin American General Coordinator of Schola Cantorum Argentina.

Adrián Nájera-Coto

TEC de Monterrey

Adrián Nájera-Coto

Costa Rica
TEC de Monterrey
Associate Director

Adrián Nájera-Coto has performed and taught throughout the Americas. As Associate Director of the Dept. of Media and Digital Culture at Tec de Monterrey, he leads strategic development and designs new curricular experiences.

Jenny O’Connor-Madsen

Arts Manager

Jenny O’Connor-Madsen

Ireland
Arts Manager


Arts Manager Jenny O’Connor-Madsen has worked with a number of organizations in Ireland to develop programs and platforms for Music Education. She is the co-editor of a forthcoming book on Women and Music in Ireland, published by Boydell and Brewer.

Emmanuel Padilla

Latin American Harp Association

Emmanuel Padilla

Mexico
Latin American Harp Association
Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director

Mexican harpist Emmanuel Padilla is the youngest member of the renowned group of soloists Concertistas de Bellas Artes in Mexico and recently co-founded the non-profit Asociación Latinoamericana del Arpa.

Maria Claudia Parias

Fundación Nacional Batuta

Maria Claudia Parias

Colombia
Fundación Nacional Batuta
Executive President

Maria Claudia Parias is the Executive President of Fundación Nacional Batuta in Colombia. She leads one of the most renowned organizations of musical training from a perspective of social inclusion in Latin America.

Marianne Parker

New Music Chicago

Marianne Parker

United States
New Music Chicago
Pianist

Marianne Parker is a Chicago-based pianist, educator, and arts entrepreneur. She is the Founder of L+M Duo, an Executive Committee member of Ear Taxi Festival, and a piano anthology curator for NewMusicShelf Publishing.

Mauricio Peña

Arts Management Professional

Mauricio Peña

Colombia
Arts Management Professional


Mauricio Peña has worked as Director of Colombia’s Banco de la República music office, Artistic Administrator for Colombian National Symphony, Executive Director for Bogota Philharmonic, and in the development department of NYC Opera.

Cathy Phillips Brady

University of Glasgow

Cathy Phillips Brady

United Kingdom
University of Glasgow
Music Development Lead

Cathy Phillips Brady has developed impact participatory programs for 15 yrs alongside a choral singing career. Formerly Exec. Dir. of Creative Crieff, she works with Univ. of Glasgow to develop strategic partnerships and music programming.

Sandra Rivera

Global Shapers San Salvador

Sandra Rivera

El Salvador
Global Shapers San Salvador
Teaching Artist

Salvadoran violinist Sandra Rivera has performed with the El Paso Symphony. As a Global Shaper from the Salvador Hub, she leads Rayo de Sol, a music education program for elementary-aged children from vulnerable communities.

Francesco Rocco

Lilium SoundArt APS

Francesco Rocco

Italy
Lilium SoundArt APS
Vice President

Italian classical guitarist Francesco Rocco trained in Bologna/London and is active as a performer, composer, and music teacher. As VP of Lilium SoundArt, he creates dialogues between music, art, and science with new technologies.

Júlia Rodrigues Simões

São Paulo Montessori School

Júlia Rodrigues Simões

Brazil
São Paulo Montessori School
Music Teacher

Brazilian classical guitarist & soprano Júlia Rodrigues Simões is a music teacher who holds a Bachelor’s in Classical Guitar from EMESP Tom Jobim & an undergrad degree in Music Education from UNESP Institute of Art.

Karen Rodríguez

University of Los Andes

Karen Rodríguez

Venezuela
University of Los Andes
Alumna

Karen Rodríguez is a Venezuelan guitarist, singer, choral conductor, songwriter, & arranger. She has been a conductor for Promúsica Foundation and soprano section leader/trainer in Cantoria of Mérida.

Evangelos Saklaras

The Nucleo Project

Evangelos Saklaras

Greece
The Nucleo Project
Double Bassist

Greek double bassist Evangelos Saklaras’ collaborations range from the Academy of Ancient Music to the London Jazz Festival. He is a teacher at The Nucleo Project and a student at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.

Angela Sindeli

Nat. Univ. of Music Bucharest

Angela Sindeli

Romania
Nat. Univ. of Music Bucharest
PhD Lecturer

Romanian soprano Angela Sindeli is often invited to sing in concerts and recitals, performing a wide range of repertoire. Since 2012, she has been a vocal pedagogy teacher at the National University of Music Bucharest.

Kelly Suthers

Sistema Ravinia

Kelly Suthers

United States
Sistema Ravinia
Manager of Lawndale Programs

Kelly Suthers holds degrees from Eastman & Northwestern. After freelancing & teaching for Sistema Ravinia, she joined the Reach Teach Play music ed. program at Ravinia administratively and now runs the Ravinia Lawndale Programs.

Lia Uribe

University of Arkansas

Lia Uribe

United States & Colombia
University of Arkansas
Associate Chair & Professor

Lia Uribe is the principal bassoonist of SoNA and APO, and a member of the Lyrique Quintette. She directs RefleXions Music Series, a celebration of musicians and advocates that fosters creative justice and diversity.

Emmanuel Vukovich

The Parcival Project

Emmanuel Vukovich

Canada
The Parcival Project
Founder & Artistic Director

Canadian violinist, composer, & collaborative leader Emmanuel Vukovich is emerging internationally. He performs across 5 continents and is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Parcival Project.

Brendan Jan Walsh

Soladoreti

Brendan Jan Walsh

The European Union
Soladoreti
Founder

Brendan Walsh studied music and international management. He is a cellist, composer, conductor, consultant, curator, DJ, lecturer, moderator, presenter, and producer. Currently, he is building Soladoreti, a global artist solidarity fund.

Rebecca Winckworth

Citizens of Song

Rebecca Winckworth

Ireland
Citizens of Song
Founder

Rebecca Winckworth has graced international stages as a singer and performer. Originally from Ireland and now living in Colombia, she is the Founder of Citizens of Song, a musical production organization uniting the world through music.