Anna Klimala is an arts executive, music educator, activist, and double-bassist whose mission is to re-establish music’s central place in the development and education of all young people. As Executive Director of Miami Music Project, she oversees the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission, long-range strategy, financial objectives, and operations. Her strong pedagogical background helps her guide Miami Music Project through its exciting growth and implementation of innovative El Sistema inspired programming, of which she was the initiator.

Anna’s introduction to music began at age 6 when her grandfather, a wood artisan, received a piano as payment for his service. Eventually, she recognized that playing music is a skill beneficial to everyone, but is not easily accessible. This encouraged Anna to pursue a career inspired by her passion for music education and its transformative abilities. She believes music should not only be a right to children, but also a reality.

Anna earned her Master’s degree in Music Education from the Szymanowski Academy of Music in her native Poland, and a Graduate Certificate in Double Bass Performance from the University of Southern California. Additionally, she trained at leadership and executive education programs, including at Columbia Business School (through Miami Foundation’s Miami Leaders Award) and Harvard Business School (through a full scholarship from the HBS Club of South Florida).

Through Anna’s leadership, Miami Music Project has amassed a wide array of achievements, including a special proclamation from Miami-Dade County Public Schools honoring Miami Music Project as a provider of “relevant, rigorous and innovative academics.” Miami Music Project has also received the Superintendent’s Choice Award, the highest honor given to community-based organizations by the Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce also named Miami Music Project as 1 of the 3 finalists for the 2018 NOVO awards recognizing nonprofit innovative excellence.

As a strong proponent of giving back, Anna co-founded and directs the annual Summer Trombone Festival in Poland, serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of El Sistema USA (A National Alliance of El Sistema-inspired Programs), and regularly contributes as a grants panelist for various organizations in Florida, including Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Division of Cultural Affairs for the State of Florida, the Knight Foundation, and The Miami Foundation. Additionally, Anna has presented in several conferences, including the Take A Stand Symposium, an annual gathering of arts professionals from various El Sistema-inspired programs, and the National El Sistema USA Symposium.

Proud of her journey of contributing to the community, Anna has broken barriers as an immigrant and a woman in a leadership role. Anna’s most rewarding aspect of her work in Miami Music Project is seeing the transformation in students who become accomplished and contributing individuals in society. When she is not making a difference in the lives of children, Anna enjoys baking and practicing yoga.

Robert Saunders is passionate about music education and the advancement of curricular programming for all young musicians. Robert has experienced a wide range of music program experiences for youth and calls on past practice and current research to develop innovative methodologies for children. Dedicated to providing quality instruction for students of all ages, Robert continually seeks out new ways to challenge himself in the field of music performance and education.

Robert grew up in a very musical family with two music teachers for parents. Family events were often musical in nature; mom was often singing Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt with guitar and dad could be found playing everything from Steely Dan to Asleep at the Wheel over the stereo. Musical excursions to various parts of the world lead to an enriched musical upbringing for Robert. Another passion he found was in teaching, first through swim lesson as a summer job in high school and private lessons for middle school and high school students during college. This musical foundation has allowed for Robert’s growth and development as a modern music pedagogue.

After earning a bachelor of science degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA Robert taught K-12 strings music in New Jersey. This position was both a wonderful environment to develop and an instructor and also gave Robert the opportunity to master management skills through the coordination of private lessons offered to students at the school. Robert recognized gaps in his understanding of the music learning process and, after doubling the size of the orchestra program and earning top marks at various state youth music festivals, enrolled in the nation's top music education program at the Eastman School of Music. While developing ideas of informal music making, music cognition development, and string pedagogy for pre-service teachers, Robert also performed on the mandolin, guitar, cello, and fiddle in the Eastman Musica Nova ensemble, the Windsor Folk Family, and contra dance band Superfluous Buttons.

Robert moved to south Florida in 2012 and found the gaps in the public school music education system to be a challenge worth addressing through community programming. While pursuing a doctorate in music education at the University of Miami, Robert has worked at strengthening music programs for youth throughout Miami-Dade. Robert has served as Music Program Manger at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Johnny Mercer Fellowship Coordinator at Florida International University, Executive Director of the Miami String Institute, and is now excited to share his knowledge of educational music programming with the vast teacher and student membership system in the Miami Music Project.

James has been passionate about music and the performing arts from a young age. As a saxophone player, he recognizes the importance of cultivating creativity to transform a young person’s life.

He’s a native of the Hudson Valley region of New York but chose to escape the cold to attend the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. While he originally pursued a degree in classical performance, he changed his major to Music Business and Entertainment Industries, along with a minor in Marketing, when realizing his interest in arts administration.

James has interned for institutions such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and was previously employed at Miami’s own Area Stage Company.

When he isn’t at work or working on music, James enjoys all art forms, especially film and creative writing. He also loves to explore and connect with nature by hiking, camping, and kayaking whenever he can.