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.

Liber Cuervos is well-known as a music educator, conductor, and violinist. He has devoted his life to teaching music to younger generations by using orchestral music as a tool for diversity, equity, and social inclusion, particularly with students from underserved communities. Mr. Cuervos was a member of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, with whom he toured Mexico, Argentina, France, Russia, Greece, Italy, and Cuba. Mr. Cuervos, a former conductor of Venezuela's Emil Friedman Youth Orchestra, is frequently invited to conduct youth and professional orchestras in Venezuela, such as the Carabobo Symphonic Orchestra, Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, and Bolivar Youth Symphony, among others. Aside from his work as a musician, he has spent the last ten years as an Art Administrator working with non-profit organizations dedicated to the social transformation through music, in Caracas, Venezuela, and later in Miami, Florida, where he has been involved with music nonprofits like Homestead Music Project, American Children's Orchestras for Peace, and more recently as a violin teaching artist, music educator, conductor and Site Director of the Little Havana Chapter of the Miami Music Project, one of the largest "El Sistema"-inspired music programs. Since 2019, he has been a faculty member of the world-renowned Interlochen Arts Camp as the conductor of the Intermediate Concert Orchestra.

Lee has over 20 years of professional office experience, and a track record of strong performance in high-pressure environments. She works closely with our President, Anna Klimala, to ensure smooth handling of her communications and calendar, in addition to technical and logistical support on special projects, assisting with the coordination of various activities, meetings, travel and events.

Having worked for several non-profit student-based organizations, Lee has come to believe that education is the basis for all things in life. She feels that we need to do all we can to make sure the youth of today have access to all kinds of positive, life-changing education, and the arts are a huge part of that.

Lee spent most of her formative years in Arizona, but has lived many places throughout her life. Florida has been her home base for the last 17 years. She has a son who also resides in Florida. She lives with her husband and two dogs. 

In her downtime she enjoys music, reading, travel, and spending time with her family.

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.