El Sistema USA

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Durham, NC
El Sistema USA

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http://www.elsistemausa.org El Sistema USA® is a membership organization. We do this by providing continuing education, mentorships, resources, and more.

El Sistema USA® works to ensure every child has access to high-quality music education that celebrates their voice and potential by supporting a national network of organizations & educators. Our mission is to nurture and support the efforts of all -inspired programs within the United States. But what is El Sistema? For many the story of El Sistema in the United States began with a wish. In 2009 Dr. José Abreu was awarded the TED Prize for his wish to "create and document a special training program for at least 50 gifted young musicians, passionate for their art and for social justice, and dedicated to developing El Sistema in the US and in other countries". Since then the idea has moved throughout the nation and the world. Awareness of El Sistema and its dedication to rigorous, artistic ensemble playing as a vehicle for social change captured the attention of those interested in working with young people living in impoverished and sometimes dangerous situations. Prior to Dr. Abreu's TED Prize wish, information about El Sistema had been filtering into the United States. Educators, performers, and administrators began to inquire about forming El Sistema inspired programs in their city. Leaders from all over the country started programs in schools, community centers, and other venues – each uniquely fitted to their specific needs. It is nearly impossible to narrow down a complete list of events or people that have contributed to the El Sistema movement in the U.S. The desire to connect and share information led to meetings and symposia across the nation. From these connections the movement gained impetus and continues to grow today.

10/19/2026

Join us on Wednesday, October 28, from 12–1 PM ET, with Zoë Auerbach, CHIME and Young Leaders Director at Empire State Youth Orchestra.

Explore how CHIME at ESYO has developed organizational structures to support youth leadership and create meaningful leadership opportunities for young people.

Learn more at elsistemausa.org/lunch-learn

10/16/2026

Join us on October 20 for a virtual info session about El Sistema USA’s 2027–28 Youth Leadership Institute!

Learn more about the program, leadership opportunities for young musicians, and the application process. We invite program leaders, educators, and interested students to join us and bring their questions!

📅 October 20, 2026 | 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT

Learn more and register at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/iopuMTwgS9W697Dj5ZVwLQ #/registration

10/15/2026

As part of our Member Spotlight, this month we're featuring The Paterson Music Project (PMP), a program of Wharton Arts!

More than 150 students came together to create Life in the Silk City, an original song and music video celebrating Paterson, New Jersey. Students wrote lyrics, composed music, recorded, and filmed throughout their community, bringing their creativity and voice to the project.

“I really do think we're making local history…It's planted seeds here to grow a bigger arts and music community. I think this music video is the definition of social impact. Through the students being actively involved in the process of making it, we're doing something great here.” — Geanelly, PMP Alum and Current Teaching Artist Intern

Watch the video:

"Life in the Silk City" was composed and recorded by students in Pa...

10/08/2026

Applications are now open for the Collegiate Access for Young Musicians: Application Accelerator Cohort!

Presented in partnership with Equity Arc, this virtual series supports high school sophomores and juniors as they prepare for collegiate study in music.

Swipe to explore the sessions. The series begins in February 2027.

Learn more and apply: elsistemausa.org/collegiate-access-for-young-musicians/

10/06/2026

Applications are now open for the 2027–28 Youth Leadership Institute!

Take a look at some moments from this year’s YLI cohort at Kinhaven as we get ready to welcome our next cohort.

Join us for an Info Webinar on October 20 to learn more about YLI and the application process.

Applications are open through November 20, 2026.

Learn more and apply at elsistemausa.org.

09/30/2026

🎓 New scholarship opportunity for El Sistema USA students!

El Sistema USA and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) are proud to announce a new undergraduate scholarship offering up to two full-tuition scholarships and a $5,000 annual living stipend** each application cycle.

Applications are due December 1, 2026.

Want to learn more? Join us for the ESUSA Scholarship & Fellowship Info Session on October 6 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT to learn about eligibility, the application process, and scholarship opportunities available to ESUSA students.

Learn more and register: elsistemausa.org/event/esusa-scholarship-and-fellowship-info-session/.

09/28/2026

Join Samuel Marchán for Sam Fundamentals & Paper Orchestra: Music as a Community-Building Laboratory.

Samuel will share a condensed version of Sam Fundamentals and the Paper Orchestra, exploring arm geometry, pulse regulation, and elasticity drills that build real technique before a single instrument is in the room.

If you’re starting a program, rebuilding one, or waiting on an instrument order, you’ll leave with low-cost tools you can use the very next week.

📅 Wednesday, October 14 🕛 12–1 PM ET | Zoom

Learn more and register at elsistemausa.org/lunch-learn/ -1

09/22/2026

Introducing Lunch & Learn, a new professional development series for the El Sistema USA community.

From October 2026 through May 2027, seven virtual sessions will explore practical topics including instrumental pedagogy, youth leadership, data, fundraising, and lesson planning.

Sessions are free for ESUSA members, and participants can join the sessions most relevant to their work.

The series begins October 14 with Sam Fundamentals & Paper Orchestra: Music as a Community-Building Laboratory.

Learn more and register at elsistemausa.org/lunch-learn/

09/18/2026

This summer, Kids In Concert brought together 54 campers for an entirely outdoor, original musical production! 🎶

The camp built on KIC’s year-round, barrier-free mentorship model, with teens taking the lead in writing, directing, choreographing, designing costumes and props, and managing the technical production. Younger campers were supported throughout by teen mentors, bringing that same spirit of mentorship into the summer.

With support from El Sistema USA’s Summer Now! Strengthening Grant, KIC also added two large tents that made the outdoor production safer and more workable, helping create a summer model they can continue building on in the years ahead. 💙

09/17/2026

Thinking about studying music in college? 🎶

Join us on October 6 at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT for a free virtual info session with Peabody Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music. Learn about available opportunities, eligibility, and how to apply.

Students, families, and program leaders are welcome!

🔗 Register: https://elsistemausa.org/event/esusa-scholarship-and-fellowship-info-session/

Know someone who might be interested? Share this opportunity with them!

Address

4721 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 130
Durham, NC
27703

Website

http://elsistemausa.org/

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