Trumpeter Angelica Cortez New Suzuki Executive Director

The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) announced Angelica Cortez as appointed Executive Director of the organization.

Ms. Cortez succeeded Interim Acting Director Laura Yasuda and assumed responsibilities on January 31, 2022. The Board thanks Ms. Yasuda for her Interim Acting Director service. Angelica Cortez (she/her) is a Los Angeles-born arts leader working at the intersection of music, education, and justice. She is excited to become the Executive Director of the SAA, where she will join a long legacy of educators who believe in the fundamental power of music education and its ability to impact the lives of young people. "Angelica is a strong, open-minded communicator whose sense of purpose in music education very much aligns with the mission of the SAA,” says Board Chair Ellen Kogut.

Ms. Cortez previously served as Interim President and CEO of El Sistema USA, where she led fundraising efforts, strategic partnerships, programming, and managed the general operations of the organization. She worked on Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program, and launched YOLA National, which included annual Symposia for administrators and educators, music festivals and college support for young people, and several national and international tours.

She is an active speaker, educator, and consultant, recently connecting with students at Cornell University, University of California Berkeley, and University of Southern California. Angelica has degrees in trumpet performance and teaching from University of California Davis, Longy School of Music, and Bard College. The Suzuki Association of the Americas is the organization officially licensed by the International Suzuki Association to support, guide, and promote Suzuki education in North, Central, and South America. The SAA aspires to improve the quality of life in the Americas through Suzuki education. It seeks to create a learning community, which embraces excellence and nurtures the human spirit. For more information on Ms. Cortez, see her full bio at the SAA website here. For information about Ms. Cortez’s upcoming “open office” sessions, new communication policies, and ongoing SAA news, see the SAA Website and newsletter.

(Source: Suzuki Association of the Americas https://suzukiassociation.org/)