Speaker(s): Catherine Beeson, Assistant Principal Viola, Colorado Symphony; Ingrid Larragoity-Martin, Executive Director, El Sistema Colorado; Conductor, Denver Young Artists Orchestra; Richard Scerbo, Director, National Orchestral Institute and Festival; Rachel Schultz, Chief Operating Officer, Hawaii Youth Symphony Association; Kelly Waltrip, Managing Director, The Gilmore Piano Festival, Former Executive Director, Denver Young Artists Orchestra/Managing Director - Alliance with the Colorado Symphony; Randy Wong, President and CEO, Hawaii Youth Symphony Association

Join us for two orchestra case studies illustrating the journey from having only occasional touchpoints with students to developing a sustained youth pathway program by partnering with other organizations in the community. Through mentorship, intergenerational outreach, performance opportunities, workforce development, and deep, mutual commitments to a shared goal—access to music education—strategic alliances can bridge missions, work towards shared outcomes, and sustain trust. The result: expanded opportunities for students and families and lasting community impact across all organizations involved.

Participants will come away from the session with the ability to: 

• Identify concrete criteria for mission-aligned partnerships and assess current or prospective partners.

• Apply practices that sustain collaborations over time, including shared outcomes, feedback loops, and clear decision making

• Engage teaching artists and professional musicians meaningfully in all aspects of partnership