Our Partners
The work of El Sistema Colorado would not be possible without the support of the numerous sponsors and community partners. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to each one for their support.
El Sistema Colorado is a registered public charity (EIN 92-0312087). For more information about making a donation please contact Executive Director Ingrid Larragoity or call the Development Office at (303) 953-0063.
Community Partnerships
El Sistema Colorado regularly partners with like-minded arts organizations in the community, from one-off performances to year-long mentorship programs. Past partners have included Colorado Symphony, Yo-Yo Ma, Denver Young Artist Orchestra, Museo de las Américas, Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, and many more. ESC is also a founding member of the Alliance for Music Education Equity (AMEE) and regularly collaborates with the 14 other AMEE music organization members to collectively identify and implement actions to address diversity, equity and inclusivity in music education in Denver.
Because social justice is one of the pillars our mission is built upon, ESC regularly partners with diverse collaborators who help us carry out our mission of empowering students to find their voice, develop determination and celebrate their identity in a safe environment of belonging. Developing our student's musical ability is just one facet of how we consider community partnerships.
This season’s major partners are the Colorado Symphony, Harumi Rhodes of the Takács Quartet, the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Koa String Quartet. All four major partners are undertaking long-term mentorship projects with various ESC ensembles, lending their skill, wisdom, and experience as guideposts on our young musicians’ musical journeys. You’ll find a description of each major partnership below.
Colorado Symphony
The 2024-25 Colorado Symphony/ESC Mentorship Program aims to further ESC’s mission of creating access to the world of classical music for historically marginalized communities by integrating regular mentorship touchpoints with Colorado Symphony musicians into our Crescendo Orchestra’s year-long curriculum. The same group of 4 CSA musicians will visit ESC a total of 10-12 times, at least once per month, culminating in a side-by-side performance to showcase the process and outcomes of the partnership. We’ll focus on not only musical mentorship, but introducing and fostering the skills necessary for our students to become successful professionals and to contribute to their communities in positive ways.
Harumi Rhodes
Harumi Rhodes is one of violinists in the Takács Quartet, a Grammy-winning, world-renowned string quartet that has been at the top of the chamber music scene since its founding in 1975. She's a well-known recording artist, faculty member at CU Boulder's College of Music, and an extraordinary string educator. The 2024-25 season is her second year of mentorship with ESC's top chamber ensemble, the Mycelium Quintet. Through this incredible partnership, our chamber students explore what it means to be an excellent chamber musician professionally, musically, and emotionally.
The Denver
Philharmonic Orchestra
The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra is entering its 76th season as one of Denver’s premiere orchestral performing ensembles. Their accessible, multigenerational, and community-minded approach to classical music aligns closely with ESC’s core values, and will guide their 2024-25 season of partnership with ESC. The Denver Phil’s energies will be directed towards ESC’s Allegro orchestra, aiming to engage and welcome students into the professional music scene in Denver from a young age and support a side-by-side performance during the Denver Phil’s 24-25 season.
The Koa String Quartet
The Koa String Quartet is currently the graduate string quartet-in-residence at CU Boulder, under the mentorship of the ESC collaborator and legendary chamber ensemble Takacs Quartet. Koa members Heewon Lee, Kisa Uradomo, Leah Pernick, and Tommy Chafe will extend both the mentorship that they receive from the Takacs Quartet and the mentorship strategies that Takacs uses with our Mycelium Quintet to a long-term, side-by-side mentorship relationship with our beginning chamber ensemble, the Quartet Nova. Through this partnership starting in January, Quartet Nova will receive (25) hours of chamber ensemble coaching, side-by-side performance opportunities, and the chance to develop professional relationships with the extraordinary musicians in the Koa String Quartet.
Partner Preschools
ESC enjoys a unique, versatile, and long-term partnership with local Preschools for the purpose of developing young students. Our Preschool Partners have missional alignment, serve our target demographic, and our partnership is mutually beneficial. We work alongside our Partner Preschool staff to provide an exceptional and impactful experience that introduces Preschool families to the resources that ESC can provide through high school.
For every Preschool Partner, ESC donates the equivalent of $3,000 per semester in teaching hours, instrument loans and maintenance, supplies, and space. This program is currently provided at no cost to our Preschool Partners or their families, and is made possible by the generosity of our donor community.
Our Current Partner Preschools:
Donors & Financial Partners
Aegon Transamerica Foundation
Colorado Creative Industries
Virginia W. Hill Foundation
Colorado Health Foundation
Bowen Family Performing Arts Fund
Margulf Foundation
Anschutz Foundation
Office of Children's Affairs
Denver Arts & Venues: Arts and Culture Fund
Classics for Kids
Bonfils-Stanton: Arts & Culture Quarterly
Community Grant
D'Adarrio Foundation
RiNo Art District 2024 Social Impact Grant
Genesis Inspiration Foundation
Founding Supporters
The Piton Foundation
Jim Bye Memorial Fund
Major Supporters
Anschutz Foundation
Aegon Transamerica Foundation
BBSI
Denver Foundation: Gateway Fund II - Beacon Fund
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
Bowen Family Performing Arts Fund
Butler Family Fund
Colorado Creative Industries
Colorado Gives Foundation
Colorado Health Foundation
Denver Broncos
Denver Foundation
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
D’Addario Foundation
Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province May Bonfils Stanton Memorial Fund
Huntington National Bank
Learfield Communications LLC
Office of Children’s Affairs
Rose Community Foundation
Sheila Fortune Foundation
Virginia W. Hill Foundation
Wend Foundation
Organizational Partners & Community Members
Ana Luna Uribe-Leteinturier
Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado
Bravo! Vail
Catholic Charities of Denver
Colorado Symphony Association
Colorado Thought Leaders Forum
Colorado Young Leaders
Complete Business Solutions
CSU Spur
Deloitte
Denver Art Museum
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Denver Performing Arts Center
Denver Philharmonic Orchestra
Denver Public Schools
Denver Housing Authority
DSST Cole
Early Excellence Program
Edward Hardy
El Sistema USA
Family Star Montessori
Friends of Chamber Music
History of Colorado Museum
Impact Denver
Inner-City School
Kids4Real
KPG Ken's Prints & Graphics
Latin Cultural Arts Center of Colorado
Lamont School of Music at The University of Denver
Lutheran Summer Music Festival
Luther Strings
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Mile High United Way
Newman Center for the Performing Arts
Open Door Learning Center
Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute
Sistema Ravinia
Rivers & Roads Coffee
The Savoy
Scott Edgar
Sphere Ensemble
Sphinx Virtuosi
Takacs Quartet
Tasty Foods
Verena Fuentes