Anna Pietraszko, Executive Director
Anna Pietraszko is an educator, arts executive, double-bassist, and music activist whose mission it is to reestablish music's central place in the development and education of all young people. Anna is guided by the belief in the power of music education—not only as a reward in itself, but as powerful aid in learning all subject matter, and as a tool for strengthening community bonds and social engagement.

Anna has been Executive Director of Miami Music Project since January 2010 demonstrating exceptional energy, dedication, talent, and organizational ability. Additionally, she is the co-founder and chief financial officer of the annual Zywiec Trombone Festival, a lively event that gathers musicians and teachers of all ages to learn and perform for audiences in a remote, mountainous region of her native Poland.

Anna earned her Masters in Music Education from the Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland, and a Graduate Certificate Degree in Double Bass Performance from the University of Southern California, from which she received a full scholarship.

Most recently, Anna was awarded a grant offered by The Miami Foundation's Miami Leaders program, which is designed to grow the leadership skills and administrative competencies of Miami-Dade County's nonprofit leaders. The Miami Foundation grant will cover the costs of Anna’s participation in Columbia Business School's Developing Leaders program.

Anna resides in Bay Harbor Islands with her husband, Maciej, an award-winning trombonist.

Enide Dufresne, Program Assistant and Coordinator
Enide Dufresne has an Associates Degree in Music Performance from New World School of the Arts, and a Bachelor Degree in Sociology & International Studies from Northwestern University. She plays the viola, having studied under great musicians such as Werner Christof of the Mozarteum, Ab Sengupta of the Florida Philharmonic, and Richard Fleishman of New World School of the Arts.

Music and education are Enide's passions. She enjoys meeting with like-minded musicians from different backgrounds to bring the joy of music to everyone.

Abiram Brizuela, ESMIA Program Director
Born in Caracas, Venezuela in a modest family of artists and musicians, Abiram was 5 years old he had his first experience with music within the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela, also known as "El Sistema". It was through El Sistema Abiram started studying double bass and conducting. At the age of 18 Abiram was chosen to study in the School of Orchestra Conducting of the Simón Bolívar Conservatory of Music led by Maestro Miguel Ángel Monroy.

Abiram is an award-winning composer and orchestra conductor. He has composed soundtracks of more than 28 theater and film productions, a feat which has brought him to win the most important award of the performing arts granted in Venezuela, the Municipal Theater Award.

In 2010, Abiram moved to Miami, and currently serves as ESMIA Program Directo, managing chapter locations in Little Haiti and Doral. He truly enjoys creating symphony orchestras and providing musical education to underserved communities, ultimately, giving children in Miami the opportunity to have the same experience he had when he was a child in Venezuela. Abiram has also worked closely with Artistic Director James Judd as an assistant conductor of ESMIA Youth Orchestra.

Takiyah A. Butler, ESMIA Operations Manager
As the ESMIA Operations Manager for Miami Music Project, Takiyah A. Butler enthusiastically manages program budgeting, data, faculty, schedules and activities as well as supervises the work of on-site coordinators to ensure smooth and disruption free operations of the ESMIA program.

Having lived in Miami for a little over a year, Takiyah has served as a Community Development Liaison with NHS of South Florida and Affordable Housing Program Associate/ Marketing Manager with DLW Enterprises. Her years of experience in community and leadership development, civic engagement, statistical research and nonprofit consulting deliver a patchwork of valuable perspectives to the ESMIA Operations Manager position. In addition to her technical expertise, Takiyah has a personal passion for exploring the power of music to both connect and create communities.

Takiyah holds a BA in Economics from Binghamton University — State University of New York. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, running, music and community service. Takiyah volunteers as Coordinator for the Miami Chapter of Roosevelt Institute|Pipeline.