Meet our Team

Ana Aparicio is an economist and violinist graduated from Bard College, NY. 

Joana is a Brazilian arts manager, pianist, and music educator dedicated to innovation in the classical music field. Holding an MA in Music Performance, she is a Global Leaders Institute graduate and has been part of the OAcademy founding team. Her educational and professional backgrounds reflect her passion for promoting music as a powerful tool for positive impact.

Erin Busch is a composer and cellist based in Philadelphia. Outside of her work with OAcademy, she teaches composition at Temple University and Swarthmore College, directs the nonprofit Wildflower Composers, and is the director of music ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Washington Crossing.

Polish violinist and arts manager (MA, Hochschule der Künste Bern, Switzerland). She coordinates orchestral projects and creates innovative artistic initiatives. Passionate about reaching new audiences, she puts her efforts into redefining the role of classical music in contemporary culture.

Educated in Hong Kong, the US, and the Netherlands, Vanda Gaidamovic is a Warsaw-based project leader and executive event producer with a track record of managing complex international programs in the Americas and across Europe.

Mark Gillespie (MM, EMA, MBA) is co-founder of a range of national arts initiatives in Latin America & the Caribbean. CEO of The OA Group and a frequent advisor to international enterprises and concert tours, Gillespie is a League of American Orchestras fellow and Salzburg Global Seminar faculty member.

Cayla Inserra (MA) earned her Master’s in Arts Management from George Mason University and holds a BA in Music from The College of William and Mary. She previously held positions at the Washington Conservatory of Music and The Castleton Festival.

Gosia Kuczmowska (MA) is an arts manager with 15+ years of experience leading international orchestra tours and educational projects in partnership with top cultural organizations across Poland, the EU, and the Americas. A co-founder of chamber music initiatives, she mentors and supports classical and jazz artists and emerging talent.

Dan Maguire is a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia. In addition to his compositional activity, he works with young musicians in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s Tune Up Philly program, and is currently pursuing a PhD at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music.

Venezuelan conductor Leonardo Pineda blends exceptional orchestral training, communication skills, and refined conducting technique. Composer Miguel Del Aguila described him as “an incredible conductor with rhythmic clarity and musical structure that is very hard to find.”

Dr. Ponchione-Bailey is an Alaska-born academic and orchestral conductor based in Oxford, England, with a passion for addressing social justice and environmental issues within and through orchestral performance. Her research is focused on the social-psychological and socio-political aspects of orchestral music-making. She holds graduate degrees in percussion and conducting, and a Doctorate in Music from the University of Oxford.

Adriana Ruiz is a classical musician, cultural producer and arts consultant with a passion for impactful projects that reach worldwide audiences. MBA graduate & Fulbright scholar, she works with private companies, public administrations, non-profit associations, artists, educators, individuals, and groups to deliver universal access to culture.

Ewa holds an MA Degree in Ethnolinguistics and has completed postgraduate studies in Arts Management and Cultural Diplomacy. She has a significant track record curating and managing transdisciplinary artistic and educational projects, having studied and worked in the cultural sector in various European countries, most notably Ireland, Poland and Spain.

Marco Teruel is a classical guitarist, researcher and educator. He holds a Doctorate from the UFMG School of Music (Brazil) and a Master’s degree from the USC Thornton School of Music (USA). He also holds an MBA from the Global Leaders Institute. Marco is also a board member of Guitarlab Intensives, a non-profit initiative that provides a comprehensive classical guitar education, while also creating a global community through online classes.

Elisa is a Venezuelan conductor, whose career is rapidly ascending, having received marked recognition and accolades nationally. Such successes have positioned her to be considered one of the most distinguished orchestra conductor from Venezuela in her generation.

Australian conductor. Studied with Sian Edwards and Norman Beedie in London, and in Europe with Kurt Masur, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Johannes Fritzsch, and Ed Spanjaard. He was Zander Fellow with the Boston Philharmonic and an Artist in Residence at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Caroline Campos (MM, MA) is a violinist, music educator and arts administrator. Currently works as the Educational Director of the “Instituto Cultural Paraiba” in Brazil, and as a Teaching Artist in Volta Music Foundation.

Mexican composer, children’s music educator, and cellist, Tamyko holds a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Degree in Cello Performance, and a Master’s in Humanist Music Therapy. With over a decade of experience, she has worked in public music education and with the Youth Orchestras Program. She trained in the Orff Method in Spain and performed with an orchestra conducted by Enrique Bátiz. Tamyko also co-founded Vipassana Ensamble and Elephant in the Room, focused on therapeutic music.

Alfonso Hernández (DMA, MBA) hailed as “one of the best Guatemalan pianists today.” Co-founder of award-winning educational music programs, frequent U.S. tours, and collaborations with Guatemala’s National Symphony. Degrees from the Global Leaders Institute, Eastman, and University of Maryland.

Marcos is a Mexican flutist with extensive experience as an educator and orchestral musician. Graduate of the Carlos Chávez Orchestral School and the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico, he holds a Master degree in Mexican concert music. Recipient of prestigious awards, including the Ministry of Culture’s Academic Excellence Diploma and the 3rd Anglo Arts-City Music Foundation Scholarship, he has performed in London, New York, Colombia and France. An OAcademy and Sinfónica Azteca alumnus, he participated in high-profile masterclasses with leading flutists. Marcos is currently pursuing advanced training in Europe and performing as a guest flutist with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and the Opera de Bordeaux.

Liliana (MX) is a versatile music professional driven by creativity and a belief in music's transformative power. With years of teaching experience, she fosters creativity and self-expression through innovative methods. A gender equality advocate, she creates spaces for women to explore their identities through music. As a performer, Liliana thrives in collaboration, embracing music’s expressive potential. Her work in education, activism, and performance highlights her dedication to inclusive, empowering musical spaces.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama graduate Evangelos Saklaras is a collaborative artist and a multi-faceted performer, freelancing with major ensembles and orchestras in the UK and Europe. He is also an educator and workshop-leader with his ethos and artistic vision being primarily shaped by his passion for social impact.

Bryan Valderrrama (MM) is a bassoonist from Costa Rica. He is a passionate orchestral and chamber musician, and has performed with major and regional ensembles in Costa Rica, Pennsylvania, Toronto and Colorado. Bryan is also an avid researcher of repertoire written by Latin American composers.

Head of European Strategy, Arabella Arts | Spain

Managing Director, B&V Holdings C.A.  | Venezuela & USA

Founder, NEOJIBA; Piano Professor, Haute École de Musique | Brazil & Switzerland

Concertmaster, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Santa Fe Opera | USA & Canada

Founder, El Sistema USA | USA

CEO, National Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphonic Association of Colombia| Colombia

Grammy and Latin Grammy Nominated Pianist | USA

Head of Investment Funds, London Stock Exchange | UK

Founding Member, Mahler Chamber Orchestra | Germany

Founder, StoryTech Immersive | USA

Partner, Loeb & Loeb LLP | USA

CEO, National Youth Orchestra of Ireland | Ireland

Founder, BdV Behrens Group | Germany & Venezuela

Founder, Strategic Investment Group | Venezuela & USA

Music Director, North Carolina Symphony & Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería | USA & Mexico

Tenor & Bass Trombone, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Netherlands

Philanthropist | Mexico & USA

Principal Bass, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Netherlands

Emerging Artist Programs Manager, National Arts Centre | Canada

Former Executive Vice President, Ford Foundation  | USA

Artistic Director, Grand Mariscal of Ayacucho Symphony Orchestra | Venezuela

Citizen Musician by Chicago Symphony Orchestra, NEOJIBA