Christine WitkowskiChristine Witkowski is a musician, educator and youth advocate specializing in community-centered arts education. Recognizing that astute intentionality is critical for deeply impactful programming, Christine supports local and international initiaties through her expertise in community building, non-profit leadership, teacher training, music education and program sustainability. Christine designed, implemented and led Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)- an intensive, free music and youth development program located in the city's most diverse and underserved neighborhood. With a dedicated teaching faculty, grassroots parental support and multiple partner organizations, YOLA at HOLA became a model El Sistema-inspired program, serving hundreds of K-12 students and hosting visitors from over 25 countries. In 2016, Christine published a collection of essays on adapting El Sistema's unique philosophy to new communities in the United States and abroad, entitled "El Sistema: Music for Social Change." Christine holds a certification in community counseling from the Southern California Counseling Center, a master's degree from McGill University, a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and was one of the inaugural Sistema Fellows at New England Conservatory. Read More Read Less