Photo Credit: © El Sistema NJ Alliance
Our work draws inspiration from the music education model of El Sistema, founded in Venezuela by José Antonio Abreu and championed by conductor Gustavo Dudamel. It uses music instruction in ensembles 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. El Sistema USA has adapted the model and values of the original inspiration to a new context.
Read below to learn about the origins of El Sistema and the evolution of the movement in the US.
Originating in Venezuela in 1975, El Sistema, under the visionary leadership of José Antonio Abreu, pioneered a state-funded music education program. The program was funded not through the ministry of arts and culture, rather the ministry of social services, emphasizing its community centered approach and focus on teaching the whole…Read More
In the early 2000s, El Sistema’s influence extended beyond Venezuela, inspiring music education initiatives worldwide, including in the United States.
The national network of El Sistema-inspired programs in the US began as a program of the New England Conservatory, forged in partnership with TED following the 2009 TED Prize awarded to Maestro José Antonio Abreu. The Sistema Fellows Program, a crucial element, trained 50 musician activists and community organizers to…Read More
The National Alliance of El Sistema Inspired Programs was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2014 for individuals and organizations inspired by the Venezuelan music education model. (The name was changed to El Sistema USA® in 2018.)
The establishment of the first “Criteria for Membership” in 2016, was developed by the ESUSA Membership and Engagement committee, based on the The Fundamentals of El Sistema, outlined by Eric Booth, various engagement sessions with members, reviewing previous census results, and extensive board discussion. The criteria is meant to be…Read More
Today, ESUSA connects and supports 140 member programs across the US and Canada through professional development, data & advocacy, and student leadership & learning. ESUSA represents a wide variety of music programs and leaders through our organizational, individual, and affiliate membership options. This evolution underscores ESUSA’s commitment to leveraging music…Read More
In 2025, El Sistema USA unveiled new guiding pillars and membership criteria that unite our national network and support programs dedicated to expanding access, pursuing excellence, and building strong communities through music. The new pillars are designed to clearly communicate who we are now as a national collective, while…Read More