Our staff is full of individuals dedicated to our mission. Below you’ll find pictures of our full time team, as well as a little bit about each of us.
Our Staff
Ingrid Larragoity-Martin, Executive Director
Dr. Ingrid Larragoity-Martin is the Executive Director of El Sistema Colorado and serves as conductor of the Conservatory Orchestra of Denver Young Artist Orchestra. She brings over 22 years of high school and collegiate instrumental experience as a conductor, music educator, and community leader. Her passion to diversify and create inclusive music classrooms has impacted her leadership from the podium and into the music community at the state and national level. She looks forward to expanding her impact as a nonprofit leader through community-building, creating pathways for musical excellence, and engaging nonprofit leaders and educators in conversations around access, equity, inclusion, and social justice in the music classroom and beyond.
Prior to these appointments, she served as Director of Bands at Skyline Visual and Performing Arts High School in Longmont, Colorado. Dr. Larragoity-Martin also served as Associate Director of Bands/Music Education Coordinator and then Interim Director of Bands at New Mexico State University. Before then she served as Associate Director of Bands at Henderson State University. In her time in these positions, she conducted both wind and orchestral ensembles, commissioned and premiered repertoire, created innovative programming that crossed international borders, and collaborated with colleagues and community members to build substantive musical experiences.
As an active conductor, she has led honor/all state instrumental ensembles in Florida, Georgia, Connecticut, New Mexico, Colorado, New York, California, Missouri and Texas. She has initiated programs with New World Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Colorado Symphony, connecting her ensembles to professional musicians and experiences. Internationally, she most recently served as guest lecturer on The World, Residence at Sea, presenting lectures and conducting clinics throughout Europe. Dr. Larragoity-Martin also cofounded and led Jinsha Summer Music Festival, a musical and cultural program for music students from the United States and from the SiChuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China.
Johnny Szumski, Program Director
Johnny Szumski (he/him/his) is El Sistema Colorado’s Program Director. Born and raised in Avon, Indiana, he fell in love with music education as a young clarinetist and never looked back. He earned his Bachelor’s of Instrumental Music Education from Indiana State University, and since then has worked with hundreds of students in dozens of ensembles, both domestic and international. He has several years of experience as a private lessons teacher, an ensemble coach, a guest conductor, and most recently as a public school music and English teacher in Spain. His passion lies at the intersection of music education and inclusivity, and as such, he’s thrilled to put his talents to use in service of El Sistema Colorado’s incredible mission.
Outside of the office, Johnny enjoys building community through music, adventure, and food. He’s an avid performer, often seeking out weekend gigs as a singer, guitar player, and bassist. He has been known to disappear into the mountains for days at a time, chasing beautiful views and bouldering routes with his friends and his partner, Jennie. After any activity, be it a fundraiser, a performance, or a climbing trip, Johnny loves to relax in the kitchen and throw together a plate of spaghetti or a few tacos.
Jamie Wolf, Grant Manager and ECE Coordinator
Jamie has been instrumental in leading El Sistema Colorado using music as a tool for social change with under-served youth since 2013, and now serves as a Teaching Artist. She also serves as the Music Director at Highlands Church Denver. She has taught choral and general music at a variety of public schools in the Denver area, worked as Assistant Director of the Transitions ensemble of the Colorado Children’s Chorale, and taught private voice and piano lessons. Prior to moving to Denver, Ms. Wolf worked at The Music Place, a community music school in San Jose, California, and at Partners in School Innovation, a non-profit organization dedicated to education reform.
When Ms. Wolf is not teaching, she can be found reading, biking, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. Her musical life has also consisted of conducting the Highlands Church Choir, performing around the Denver area as a singer/songwriter, as well as singing with event bands and providing demo vocals for songwriters. Ms. Wolf graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Northwestern University. She was selected as one of 45 international musicians to participate in the 2020 cohort of the Global Leaders Program, completing the graduate program in executive leadership for change-makers in music, and through that work, led the founding of the Alliance for Music Education Equity. Ms. Wolf is currently pursuing an Applied Credential through the Dalcroze School of the Rockies.
Katie Burns, Strings Pedagogy Specialist
Katie Burns (she/her/hers) is a soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and activist. She aims to use the cello to engage people in unique and meaningful musical experiences. Katie has served as Principal Cellist of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra and has played for various musicals, ballets, operas, film recordings, and season concerts since 2003. Katie’s true passion as a cellist lies in performing chamber music.
She currently collaborates with guitarist Russ Callison in their duo Solazur, formed in 2016 out of a shared desire to offer captivating and intimate performances of cello and guitar music. Katie received her Master of Music in Suzuki Cello Pedagogy at the University of Denver and currently runs an active private cello studio in Denver, CO. She also has the pleasure of teaching for El Sistema Colorado and Denver Talent Education.
Beatriz Martinez, Administrative Secretary
Beatriz Martinez (she/her/ella) is a 2017 El Sistema Colorado alumna. Beatriz is in her third year at the University of Colorado Denver working toward a degree in International Studies.
Beatriz first heard of El Sistema when she was in middle school and a student in the program for about four years. Growing up, her parents would take her on annual trips to the United States and Mexico, which inspired her passion for traveling and seeing the world. During her free time she likes to watch movies or go to baseball games during the summer. Beatriz coordinates with our students and families to ensure a safe and happy environment.
Want to work with us? Visit our jobs page to see what postions El Sistema Colorado is currently hiring for. You can also fill out our volunteer form, or look into joining our board.