Open OCTOBER 1 – OCTOBER 30, 2026
El Sistema USA is holding voting for the Board of Directors. Up to three directors will be elected for three-year terms beginning in January 2027 and ending in December 2029. We invite each member organization to vote on your top two candidates.
Voting for nominees is taking place from October 1–30, 2026. Selected candidates will be notified in early November, and incoming Board members will be formally elected at the December 3 Board meeting. Their terms will begin in January 2027.
El Sistema USA seeks board members deeply committed to our mission and vision of creating access to high-quality music education that builds community, opportunity, and personal growth for young people, regardless of background.
Please contact info@elsistemausa.org with any questions or concerns.
2026 Board Nominees
Dr. Ingrid Larragoity-Martin
Executive Director | El Sistema Colorado
Professional Expertise
Educational connections — K-12, collegiate experience
What I Would Bring to the Board
“I hope to contribute meaningfully from my own toolbox; my experience in program building, teaching artist development, organizational culture, innovative programming, academia, and nonprofit leadership.”
ABOUT
Dr. Ingrid Larragoity-Martin is a conductor, music educator, advocate, and nonprofit leader whose work centers on expanding access, opportunity, and belonging in music education. As Executive Director of El Sistema Colorado, she leads one of Colorado’s most dynamic organizations working to remove barriers to high-quality music education and create pathways for musical excellence for young people. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that music education can be a powerful force for individual agency, community connection, and social change.
With more than 25 years of experience in music education and conducting, she has served in both K-12 public schools and higher education as Director of Bands and Director of Orchestras. Most recently, she served four years as conductor of the Conservatory Orchestra at Denver Young Artist Orchestra. Across these roles, she has conducted wind and orchestral ensembles (academic and professional), commissioned and premiered new repertoire, developed innovative programming, and built partnerships connecting young musicians with professional artists and leading arts organizations.Her work has also included partnerships and initiatives connecting young musicians with leading professional artists and institutions, including New World Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Colorado Symphony.
Kyla Pitts-Zevin
Executive Director | Northeast Community Centers
Professional Expertise
Human Resources Expertise, Philanthropy and Fundraising Expertise
What I Would Bring to the Board
“I believe I can bring fundraising expertise to support the mission of El Sistema USA. For the past eight years, I have fundraised for an ESUSA program that has seen tremendous growth.”
ABOUT
Education: I received a Bachelors in Spanish and Human Development & Social Relations from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. I received my Masters in Public Administration form Arkansas State University, where I was named MPA Student of the Year. Thanks to the ESUSA Presto Program, I hold a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University!
Employment: The first ten years of my career were in public schools, leading educational initiatives in the early childhood and afterschool spaces. Fundraising was a critical skill in those roles. In 2018, I became the Development Director at the Northeast Community Center, and was promoted to the Executive Director in 2021. I have led the organization from under $1M in funding to $1.7M in those eight years.
Neal Spinler
Executive Director | BRAVO Youth Orchestras
Professional Expertise
Financial Expertise, Philanthropy and Fundraising Expertise, Nonprofit Management Expertise, Technology and Nonprofits Expertise
What I Would Bring to the Board
“In addition to my current role running an ESUSA organization, I bring decades of experience in the nonprofit field that can help guide ESUSA through struggles or new opportunities.”
ABOUT
Neal Spinler is the Executive Director of BRAVO Youth Orchestras and a dedicated and innovative arts leader with over twenty years of experience. He received his MBA in Arts Administration from the Bolz Center at UW-Madison and has been fortunate to work with many esteemed organizations such as the Bravo Vail Music Festival, The Children’s Theatre Company, Pillsbury House Theatre, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, ODC Dance, and Young Musicians and Artists (YMA). Neal also teaches Arts Administration at the University of Portland and serves on a number of area nonprofit boards and is on the ESUSA Finance Committee.
