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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.

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Students
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Teaching Artists
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Member Organizations

Latest News

Call for Board of Directors Nominations
El Sistema USA is seeking nominations to the Board of Directors from active member organizations. Four directors will be elected for three-year terms starting in January 2024 and ending in January 2027.
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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

Teaching Artist Forum: TA Forum Teacher Talks

TA Forum Teacher Talks November 4 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

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Collegiate Access for Young Musicians: Optimizing Your College Application & Audition
November 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
This session will help you refine the non-musical aspects of your college application and audition. Hear tips to optimize your pre-screening recording, college essay, interview, and audition skills.

Who is this session for? This session is targeted towards prospective music students and families seeking to begin their college preparation process. This session will also be beneficial for private instructors and program managers who are supporting their students’ musical journey.

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
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CEO Forum
Join us for a dynamic session led by Peter Compo, a DuPont veteran and strategic advisor to El Sistema USA and other Sistema-inspired programs across the U.S., as we delve into the 3Ws every board needs: wisdom, work, and wealth. We’ll explore key aspects of achieving these 3Ws, such as tracking commitments, ensuring balanced reporting, and fostering active participation in board meetings, whether in person or on Zoom. Peter will also address the critical role board members play in holding the executive director/CEO and staff accountable for meeting their commitments and maintaining proper operations. In addition, we’ll examine the importance of developing a shared strategy between the board and executive director/CEO—one that’s not just a list of goals, nor a unilateral or "rubber stamp" approach. Finally, we’ll discuss how to tackle crises head-on, addressing difficult situations and organizational underperformance with the urgency they demand. Register now to gain invaluable insights on building a more effective, engaged board for your Sistema-inspired organization!
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Program Director & Manager Forum: Best Practices for Supporting Beginning Students and their Families
Join us for a dynamic session focused on supporting new students and fostering their success. Connect with fellow administrators, exchange ideas, and explore innovative strategies to help students define and achieve their own paths to success. Learn why it's crucial to support students in finding their own definitions of success while aligning with your institution's values. This session will equip you with the insights and tools needed to enhance your leadership and provide exceptional support to students, setting the stage for their future achievements. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your impact and drive student success to new heights!
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Collegiate Access for Young Musicians: Navigating College & Audition Process with Undocumented Parents
December 3 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
This 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
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CEO Forum

CEO Forum January 8 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

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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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