Isaac is a passionate musician, educator and administrator. He has been with Ravinia, as a Program Manager, Associate Director and now Sr. Associate Director in Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education, since 2008. Over 10 years ago, as Ravinia became interested in El SIstema, Isaac engaged with and learned from several organizations who were also creating the fledgling programs that started the movement in this country. Not only did Isaac create great relationships with colleagues around the country and learn the logistics of starting up this ambitious undertaking, he embraced the values of El Sistema, noticeably leaning into the ideals of access, equity, community, musicianship and ensemble. The resultant, Sistema Ravinia continues to strive for phenomenal musical growth and deeply rooted, positive social development of youth who previously had little to know opportunity to excel in this way. Isaac has also served for several years on ESUSA’s membership and engagement committee. In 2017, Isaac was selected as a mentor in the first year of ESUSA’s Presto program and helped not only his designated organization but several other organizations in the cohort to advance their own programs and develop strategies for growth and sustainability. In Chicago, Isaac serves on several committees concerned with advancing youth through the arts including the Consortium of Community Music Schools and the Mellon Foundation funded Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative. He serves on the practice advisory board of the Center for Arts Education and Social and Emotional Learning. He is a sought after thought partner and is frequently asked to consult with other organizations or to contribute articles to journals pertaining to El Sistema Inspired or Youth Development focused arts programs. He is a classically trained violist with a M.M. in viola performance from University of Arizona
