Equity Arc

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Creating a level playing field in classical music

Equity Arc (formerly known as NIMAN) works as a connector, convener, and facilitator for music organizations and BIPOC instrumentalists, and is designed to support all stages of the musical journey. Historically, musicians of color have been underrepresented in classical music, and it is essential to confront why this lack of diversity exists. Equity Arc seeks to dismantle the structural inequities and biases to create a level playing field, empowering aspiring musicians to achieve success. Our multi-dimensional approach provides specialized mentoring support for BIPOC musicians and helps institutions take meaningful steps toward equity and inclusion. Equity Arc is the culmination of years of planning, meeting, and a multi-day convening to form the association that strengthens the trajectory of classical instrumentalists of color throughout the United States. It is our goal to build equity in classical music and reestablish the vibrancy of our field by empowering underrepresented musicians in their pursuit of musical excellence.

10/16/2026

👏 Please join us in welcoming Jamie Allen to the Equity Arc Board of Directors!

Jamie Allen is a composer, conductor, performer, and music educator with over 35 years of experience. He has held artistic leadership positions with the Santa Fe Opera, the Dallas Symphony, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Recent projects focus primarily on musical theater and film.

10/08/2026

10/05/2026

Equity Arc supports musicians of color to build the skills needed to advance into professional careers in classical music through rigorous, identity-affirming mentorship. Our programs connect musicians with high-level training and critical opportunities, relationships across the field, and the information needed to navigate a complex training and advancement system.

Learn more at equityarc.org

09/30/2026

👏 Please join us in welcoming Dr. Judy Bundra to the Equity Arc Board of Directors!

Judy Bundra currently serves as a consultant and is a nationally recognized expert in music higher education. Previously, Dr. Bundra served as Dean at the Cleveland Institute of Music and DePaul U. School of Music, and Managing Director of Apollo’s Fire Chicago. A strong advocate for music education, she is dedicated to expanding opportunities for all students to engage with classical music.

09/23/2026

"It's a great feeling for me to know that there is a community of people that are supporting these young musicians." - Brontie Phillips, Equity Arc parent

💡 Bass player Travis Phillips has been a fellow in the Equity Arc Pathways Orchestra since 2022!

08/27/2026

🥁 Congratulations to Ricardo Cruz, who was selected as a grantee for the Equity Arc Instrument Fund! Ricardo was awarded $5K towards a Pearl Philharmonic Snare Drum and various accessory instruments, bags, sticks, and mallets purchased from Steve Weiss Music, Sweetwater, Freer Percussion, and Luft Mallets.

"The gear I received through the Equity Arc Instrument Fund will have a meaningful impact on my development as a musician. My new sticks and mallets provide a great foundation to my collection and will give me more options to explore different sounds and colors, while the pancake snare drum will deliver in specialty audition and recording scenarios. The microphones will be especially valuable for recording high-quality audition tapes for summer festivals and other musical opportunities. I am excited to continue growing as a musician and exploring new opportunities." - Ricardo Cruz, percussion, Instrument Fund Grantee

08/24/2026

🎵 Bassoon playing + coding = Anna Zhang!

Anna was a part of the 2023 Equity Arc Pathways Orchestra in Cincinnati and is an alum of PMAY Artists' Initiative. She is a current student at Manhattan School of Music studying Bassoon Performance. Anna also has a passion for coding, and her new app, Classica, makes listening to classical music more accessible and brings live performances to wider audiences!

08/21/2026

Have you watched this yet? ➡

Equity Arc Executive Director and alumnus of Southwest Dekalb High School Stanford Thompson sits down in the Southwest Dekalb band room to talk with horn fellow Sean Mouzon.

Their conversation explores the impact and the aftermath of the 2025 Equity Arc Wind Symphony, Sean's experience in marching band and exploring classical repertoire at Southwest Dekalb High School, and their mutual experiences with band director James Seda. You won't want to miss this impactful conversation!

📹 Filmed, produced and edited by Felipe Barral & IGNI Productions

In February 2025, an executive order cancelled the Equity Arc Wind ...

08/11/2026

OUT NOW!
Stanford Thompson and Sean Mouzon discuss artistry, opportunity, and their shared journey

Watch the full video at https://ow.ly/pygk50ZycR3

📹 Filmed, produced and edited by Felipe Barral & IGNI Productions

08/04/2026

Coming soon... 👀
New video drops 8.11.26

Address

1241 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH
45202

Website

https://equityarc.org/

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