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 with her 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 (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.

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 (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.