2018-2019 Board of Directors
Christine Taylor Conda – Chair and Executive Committee Chair
Christine Taylor is the Director of REACH*TEACH*PLAY Education Programs for the Ravinia Festival (2002 – Present). Under her leadership, Ravinia provides a myriad of music…
Dalouge Smith – Vice Chair and Governance Committee Chair
Dalouge Smith is in his 10th season leading San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory. He has overseen development of SDYS’ vision to “make music education accessible…
Armand Hall – Vice Chair and PRESTO Committee Chair
Dr. Armand Hall is a conductor and educator dedicated to the creation of new music in all venues. From 2012 - 2018 he served as…
Scott Laird – Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Scott Laird is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he completed his Bachelors and Masters in both Music Performance and Music Education. Scott…
Calida Jones – Clerk and Symposium & Racial Diversity and Cultural Understanding Committee Chair
Calida Jones began studying the piano at the age of 3 while attending Nursery School, and switched to violin at the age of 6 when…
Mark Churchill – Founding Director, ESUSA
Educator, conductor, and cellist Mark Churchill is Director of El Sistema USA and Dean Emeritus of Preparatory and Continuing Education and Senior Advisor of New…
Jessica Zweig – Membership Engagement Committee Chair
Jessica Zweig is going into her 2nd year as Site Director at Play On, Philly, St Francis de Sales where she directs a program of 120…
Rita McLennon – Fundraising Committee Chair
Rita started a consulting business to help the chief stewards of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations be strategic, confident, productive, and kind in their leadership. Drawing on many…
Michael Angell
Michael Angell has served as Director of Performing Arts Grants for the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation since its inception in 2011. One of three…
Daniela Bedoni
Dani has been involved with El Sistema, both in Venezuela and in the US. Born in Milan, Italy, and raised in the US, she arrived…
Hermes Camacho
Dr. Hermes Camacho is a composer, conductor, and violinist based in Austin, Texas. His music has been performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and…
Angelica Cortez
Angelica Cortez is a youth advocate, arts administrator, and educator based in Los Angeles. As a Latina, and member of the LGBTQ community, her passion is in creating space for young…
Joseph Hamm
Educator and change agent by day, songwriter and performer by night, Joe Hamm has devoted much of his career to El Sistema inspired music making.…
Myka Miller
I have been working in our field for over 15 years, with 9 of those years at the Harmony Project in Los Angeles. I grew…
Susan Suhr
After a work career that included positions in technical theater (collegiate and professional), manufacturing and franchising, Susan Suhr came to realize that her purpose in life is…
Daniel Trahey
Daniel Trahey is a musician, educator, and innovator. He was instrumental in the creation of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s “OrchKids” where he is Artistic Director.…
Monique Van Willingh
Originally from South Africa, Monique Van Willingh is a musician, educator and advocate for social justice through youth development and teacher training. In her position…
Brian Wiebe
Brian Wiebe has been in the education field for over three decades, primarily as a music educator and administrator, and more recently as community visionary and…
Robert Gofourth
Robert has more than 25 years of operations and risk management experience across a variety of industries including insurance, mortgage banking, government enterprise, and outsourcing.…
Committees
Executive Committee
Chaired by Christine Taylor Conda, Ravinia. Strategic development and support of the board and executive activities of El Sistema USA.
Nominating and Governance
Chaired by Dalouge Smith, The Lewis Prize, San Diego, CA. Recruiting new members for nomination to the board, reviewing and updating the bylaws of the board, adding helpful board processes
Membership Engagement and Support
Chaired by Jessica Zweig, Play on Philly. Updating member benefits, developing new programs to support members, sharing information with members, building affiliate groups among members.
Fundraising
Chaired by Rita McLennon, Consultant. Strategies for raising money for ESUSA and our members.
Finance and Audit
Chaired by Treasurer, Anna Pietraszko, Miami Music Project. Reviewing the financial health and practices of ESUSA on a monthly basis, and overseeing an annual audit.
Racial Diversity and Cultural Understanding
Co-Chaired by Calida Jones, Consultant, and Joe Hamm, Soundscapes. Opportunities for leaders and teaching artists to dialogue and receive training in addressing the racial and cultural challenges of our programs and cities.
Symposium
Chaired by Calida Jones, Consultant. Planning and design of January 30-31, 2019 National Symposium in Detroit.