High Quality Music Education for Every Child
El Sistema USA® works to ensure every child has access to high-quality music education that celebrates their voice and potential, by supporting a national network of organizations & educators.
Latest News
Voting is now open for the 2025 Board of Directors. Four directors will be elected for three-year terms starting in January 2024 and ending in January 2027.
We invite you to download the 2024 New Year Report to view all our accomplishments and work completed in FY 2024!
Polaris Dawn Crewmember Sarah Gillis, a Classically Trained Violinist and Astronaut, Performs from Space with…
Upcoming Events
December 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmThis session addresses the unique challenges faced by students with undocumented parents as they navigate the college admissions and audition process. Hear practical advice on how to handle specific situations, seek support, and utilize available resources specifically for students with undocumented parents.Who is this session for? This session is targeted towards prospective music students and families with undocumented parents. This session will also be beneficial for private instructors and program managers who seek guidance in this area. Spanish translation will be provided. Registration is free for Equity Arc and El Sistema USA members, and $35 for non-members. Learn more about Equity Arc membership | Learn more about El Sistema USA membership
The 2025 ESUSA Youth Ambassador Program is for high school students (grades 9-12) who have been active in an El Sistema USA program for at least 2 years. Students must be available for the in-person event in Baltimore, MD from June 15-21, 2025
CEO Forum January 8 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Join us for an insightful session on effectively supporting teaching artists. Despite our best efforts, teaching artists often don't receive the recognition they deserve. Many experience burnout and leave their positions in search of better benefits and support systems. While comprehensive healthcare may not be feasible for many programs, there are other ways to create a fulfilling and sustainable environment for teaching artists. Engage with fellow administrators, share ideas, and explore innovative solutions to empower teaching artists. Learn how focusing on the teaching artist experience can lead to lasting benefits for your students and community. Understand the importance of robust support systems for teaching artists' growth and sustainability, ensuring they thrive both personally and professionally. This session will provide you with the insights and strategies needed to create a supportive and enriching workplace for teaching artists. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a significant impact and elevate the success of your teaching artists!
Scaffolding for Success: Strategies for Support for Students with Special Abilities February 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
February 11 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmDo you want to minimize debt and increase scholarship and financial aid resources? This webinar offers strategies to help music students from low-income backgrounds manage higher education expenses effectively. Learn how to create realistic budgets, explore cost-saving opportunities, and compare commuting versus off-campus housing options. The session will also help you understand student loans, loan forgiveness programs, and alternatives such as part-time work and co-op programs. Participants will be prepared to navigate financial aid, manage budgets effectively, and minimize student debt.Who is this session for? This session is targeted towards prospective music students and families from low-income backgrounds. This session will also be beneficial for private instructors and program managers who seek guidance in this area.Registration is free for Equity Arc and El Sistema USA members, and $35 for non-members. Learn more about Equity Arc membership | Learn more about El Sistema USA membership
THE EL SISTEMA USA MODEL
Our work draws inspiration from the music education model of El Sistema, founded in Venezuela by Jose Antonio Abreu and championed by conductor Gustavo Dudamel. It uses music instruction to enhance the lives of young people in under-resourced communities. El Sistema USA believes that learning music can set students on a path of self-discovery and improve life skills such as patience, persistence, and confidence.
Donate to El Sistema USA today
Your generous gift will allow us to connect and build the field of equity-based music programs that ensure access to high-quality music education. Support programs like our youth leadership cohort to prepare the next generation of leaders, national data collection initiative to measure program impact on students, or our national symposium which strengthens organizational and field capacity.
Join El Sistema USA
Are you an equity-based music program providing high-quality programming to your community?
ESUSA provides our members with resources to help organizations, administrators, teachers, and students thrive. This includes benchmarking reports, data collection, networking events, webinars, consulting, student leadership programming, and student seminarios. Our members include community music schools, youth orchestras, symphony orchestras, individuals, and more.
