Anna Klimala is an arts executive, educator, double-bassist, and activist whose mission is to re-establish music’s central place in the development of young people.
As President of Miami Music Project, which she joined as a volunteer over a decade ago, Anna oversees the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission, long-range strategy, financial objectives, and operations, and guides Miami Music Project through the implementation of its innovative El Sistema-inspired programming, of which she was the initiator. Under her leadership, the organization’s flagship program has grown to become one of the largest, most successful El Sistema-inspired initiatives in the nation, and has amassed a wide array of achievements, including a special proclamation from Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a provider of “relevant, rigorous and innovative academics” and the Superintendent’s Choice Award.
Anna holds a 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. She trained at executive education and leadership development programs of the Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School. As a strong proponent of giving back, Anna co-founded an annual Summer Trombone Festival in Poland, served as a Board Member and Treasurer of El Sistema USA, regularly contributes as a grant’s panelist for various funding organizations, and as a consultant and mentor to others in her field. Proud of her personal journey, Anna has broken barriers as an immigrant and a woman in a leadership role. The most rewarding aspect of Anna’s work is seeing her students grow and achieve their dreams.
