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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.

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.

25000
Students
6000+
Teaching Artists
35
States & Territories
140
Member Organizations

Latest News

2024 Annual Report

We invite you to download the 2024 New Year Report to view all our accomplishments and work completed in FY 2024!

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Polaris Dawn Crewmember Performs from Space with Youth Musicians Around the World

Polaris Dawn Crewmember Sarah Gillis, a Classically Trained Violinist and Astronaut, Performs from Space with…

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Equity Arc and El Sistema USA Announce Partnership

Equity Arc and El Sistema USA Announce Partnership to Break Barriers and Create Access in…

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Upcoming Events

Program Director & Manager Forum: Supporting Teaching Artists

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!

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Fortissima 2025 at the Colburn School Application Deadline

Fortissima at the Colburn School empowers young women from underrepresented minorities in classical music with online leadership training, mentorship, and a weeklong residency. Participants gain personalized artistic support, workshops, and performance opportunities, inspiring careers in classical music.

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J.W. Pepper 150th Anniversary Scholarship Program Application Deadline

The J.W. Pepper 150th Anniversary Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students passionate about music education transitioning to college. Administered by Scholarship America®, it selects recipients based on eligibility and criteria to support their educational journey.

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Teaching Artist Forum: Scaffolding for Success: Strategies for Support for Students with Special Abilities

Scaffolding for Success: Strategies for Support for Students with Special Abilities February 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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Collegiate Access for Young Musicians: Higher-Education Financial Planning for Low-Income Families

This webinar offers strategies for low-income music students to manage higher education expenses, including budgeting, cost-saving, student loans, and loan forgiveness. Ideal for students, families, instructors, and program managers seeking guidance to navigate financial aid and minimize debt effectively.

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YOLA National Festival Application Deadline

The YOLA National Festival provides young musicians with free high-level orchestral training, chamber music, and performances under world-renowned conductors. Travel, lodging, meals, and programming are included. Participants join either the Symphony or Overture Orchestra based on age and skill.

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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.

Free or Low-Cost Tuition

Frequent Instruction

(5-10+ hours per week)

Ensemble-Based Learning

Participation Over the Years

Community Focus

Excellence in Instruction and Playing

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.

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2025 Regional Gatherings

This series of two regional events on the east and west coast will bring together music educators, administrators, and students for two days of professional development, networking, and community engagement.