Canada is a world-leader in Sistema-inspired activity. Canadian núcleos are some of the oldest in North America; Canadian universities have hosted the first academic conferences related to el Sistema; a national foundation presented the Símon Bolívar Orchestra in its largest venue to date and formally honoured Maestro Abreu’s achievements in 2008; and a Canadian youth orchestra has set the current gold standard internationally in advocating for and securing major government funding. The following list is not comprehensive, nor have the organizations therein been screened or ranked in any way: they are listed alphabetically by province. Amendments and additions are welcome and can be submitted via this form.

The Canadian Music Educators’ Association has developed a position paper on el Sistema-style programs in Canada. It is an extremely balanced, intelligent document and worth reading.

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Ontario
Quebec
Saskatchewan

A L B E R T A

Calgary

International Avenue Arts & Culture Centre website
José Duque, Program Lead
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation

Edmonton

Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) website
Alyssa Paterson, manager
Listing type: Symphony Orchestra – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation



B R I T I S H   C O L U M B I A

Bakerview

Bakerview Music Academy website
Perrie Peverall, Administrator
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2013

Prince George

Sistema Prince George website
José Delgado Guevara, Founder
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2013
Notes: Operated as a program of the Prince George Conservatory of Music

Vancouver

St. James Music Academy website
Kathryn Walker, Executive Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2007


M A N I T O B A

Winnipeg

Sistema Winnipeg – partnership between the Winnipeg Symphony and Seven Oaks School Division website
Listing type: Symphony Orchestra – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2011


N E W   B R U N S W I C K

Moncton (Provincial)

Sistema New Brunswick website
Don Matheson, Executive Director
Listing type: Youth Orchestra – Educational/núcleo
Current Status: in operation since 2009
Notes: In a brilliant piece of advocacy, in 2010 Sistema New Brunswick received an unprecedented $1.4 million grant from the Provincial Ministry of Regional Development – the first instance of a Sistema program in North America securing long term government support.

O N T A R I O

Barrie
No Student Left Out website
Russell Strathdee, O.M.A.Representative
Listing type: Pre-launch
Notes: A pilot program sponsored by the Ontario Musicians Association on el Sistema principles

London

Brio Music London website
Ashley Dickey, Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2011

El Sistema Aeolian website
Clark Bryant, Executive Director
Listing type: Organization – Presenter/Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2011

Mississauga

Esperanza Music Project website
Susan Naccache, President and Artistic Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2012

Ottawa

Leading Note Foundation (Orkidstra) website
Tina Fedeski, Founder and Executive Director
Margaret Tobolowska, Artistic Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2007

Toronto

Sistema Toronto website
David Visentin, Executive and Artistic Director
Listing type: Organization -Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2011

Glenn Gould Foundation website
Brian Levine, Executive Director
Listing type: Organization – Advocacy/Presenter
Notes: Maestro Abreu was the recipient of the 2008 Glenn Gould Prize. The Foundation invited the Símon Bolívar Orchestra and presented a performance at Toronto’s Skydome (home to the MLB Toronto Blue Jays) as part of the festivities.

Waubaushene
Sistema Huronia Music Academy website
Ken Lewis, President
Hilary Braime, Music Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2014



Q U É B E C

Montréal (and area)

École FACE (Fine Arts Core Education) website french
Theodora Stathopoulos, Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Notes: FACE School coordinates multiple orchestras, some very advanced, under Sistema principles.

Le Garage à musique website English overview
Hélène Sioui-Trudel, Director
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current status: in operation since 2009
Notes: A project of the Fondation du Dr Julien, Le Garage à musique focuses on popular music genres as part of a broader agenda of cultural mediation and social pediatrics.

Encorse Sistema Montréal website
Theodora Stathopoulos, Director
Jorge Espinosa, Project Lead
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current Status: in operation since 2012
Núcleos: St. Gabriel School, Point-Saint-Charles, Montreal & Kateri and Karonhianonhnha Schools, Kahnawake
Notes: Mrs. Stathopoulos is one of the leading El Sistema advocates in Quebec and has spearheaded various Symposia and outreach activities in the Montreal area. Along with co-founder Kerry Roebuck, the Encore Sistema program membership has tripled in the past three years.



S A S K A T C H E W A N

Saskatoon
Sistema Saskatoon website
Listing type: Organization – Educational/núcleo
Current Status: in operation since 2012