Staff

Angelica Cortez

Executive Director
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Angelica Cortez (she/her) is a Los Angeles-born arts leader working at the intersection of music, education, and justice. She is excited to join a long legacy of educators who believe in the fundamental power of music education and its ability to impact the lives of young people. She served as Interim President and CEO of El Sistema USA, where she collaborated with member organizations across the country that provide music and youth development programming to young people who often face barriers in accessing music education. She started her career with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on YOLA, Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program offering free music education and academic support to students around the country. Angelica was selected as a Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts, & Diversity) fellow, a two-year leadership program designed to evolve the industry landscape by empowering the next generation of executive leaders. She is an active speaker, educator, and consultant, and teaches at the University of Southern California as part of the Arts Leadership program. Outside of her work and healthy obsession with music, she loves writing, cooking, running, reading, and her community.

Laura Yasuda

Director, Operations
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Erin Rushforth

Learning Manager
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720-562-2955

Erin Rushforth is a violinist with an eye for detail and a penchant for planning. She is thrilled to step into the role of Learning Manager and brings with her a deep commitment to Suzuki education, a love of people and languages, and abundant leadership experience. Erin was a Suzuki kid and studied in high school with Mary West of the MacPhail Center for Music. At Brigham Young University, she earned a BA and MA in French, before embarking on her Suzuki pedagogy studies. Erin taught violin privately for two decades, while continuing her Suzuki training, as well as coaching and teaching in public and private schools. In 2019, Erin became Director of the Japan-Seattle Suzuki Institute. She helped form the Institute Leadership Team, where she has worked to foster a collaborative, inclusive community for Suzuki Institute directors and to build bridges of communication within the SAA community. Erin is eager to continue that work in this new role and help shape the future of Suzuki education.

Dalanie Harris

Marketing & Event Manager
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720-562-2952

Dalanie Harris is a double bassist from Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, Harris is a fierce advocate for equity and cultural inclusivity in classical music spaces. In November 2018, Harris co-founded Classically Black Podcast, which brings listeners into the world of classical music through the eyes of Black classical musicians. Harris has presented at conferences promoting equity and inclusion for Black musicians across the country, including SphinxConnect, the YOLA National Symposium, and the El Sistema USA National Symposium.

Dyane Protzmann Rogelstad

Membership Associate
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303-444-0948

Dyane is pleased to join the SAA team as Membership Associate. She is overjoyed to be able to support the organization which has supported her for most of her lifetime. Dyane completed long-term Suzuki Piano training in San Diego and has been actively teaching and pursuing ongoing professional development since 1982. She currently lives in Colorado and enjoys water sports and visiting with her three grandchildren.

Dr. Andrew J. Braddock

Editor, American Suzuki Journal
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