2023-2024

Community supported. Programs enriched. Impact accelerated.

The Sistema Canada Network (SCN) is committed to serving the El Sistema inspired community in Canada. In our second operational year as an official entity, the Network has accomplished a great deal. From expanding established offerings, launching new projects, and visiting Member Programs and partner events across Turtle Island, the Network has learned and achieved much. In early 2023, the SCN staff became a team of three people each with years of experience working within El Sistema inspired programs. Through regular consultation with Member Programs, SCN activities and support systems were developed. We heard the needs of our community and addressed them whenever possible. We are proud of the work we have done and are energized by the resulting momentum. We offer you an overview of our year- where each interactive node itemizes a step taken to address our Program Members’ needs.

  • Following the hiring of the Network Lead in 2021, the Artistic & Academic Project Lead and Network Manager positions were created and filled.

  • Throughout the year, we have hosted seven Network Check-In calls- each lasting 60 minutes. Member Program Representatives have gathered together for a cumulative of 7 hours in this space over the year. 

  • Three Dive Call were facilitated this year. Two with a focus on Fundraising Essentials in collaboration with Kristine Betker and one with INQ Consulting to explore Privacy and Personal Information Management.

    Session recordings are available for Member Programs in the resource

  • This year, we facilitated five professional development opportunities in the fall and winter totalling 6 hours. Topics ranged from classroom management, general music strategies, and beginner string support. Over 100 Teaching Artists from across the country registered for these sessions

  • We launched our new Teaching Artist Mentorship Program which formed fourteen mentorship pairs between mentees and mentors from Member Programs across the country. Each pair connected for 6 hours throughout the spring. 

  • We are thrilled to be working with composers Swan Serna and Adam Sakiyama to be bringing the 2024 Sistema Canada Network Composition Commissions to life.

  • Our Reconciliation Working Group and our Artistic Working Group were launched this year. Each group is comprised of administrative staff and Teaching Artists from Member Programs to help provide direction to the Network in key areas.

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  • Sistema Canada Network's Artistic and Academic Project Lead, Alex McLeod, attended a TATI Regional Practicum in Texas in February. Chelsey Hiebert (Network Lead) and Jacquie McNulty (Network Manager) attended the El Sistema USA conference in Indianapolis in June.

    Chelsey Hiebert, Sistema Canada Network's Lead, traveled to visit eight of our fifteen Member Programs this year. Visiting programs is important for building community, connection, and provides opportunities for meaningful conversations. 

  • This year we are honoured to have supported Andres Tucci Clarke (Sistema Toronto) pursue his MBA, Teaching Artists from Sistema Kingston and Sistema Toronto with their enrolment in TATI, YONA-Sistema and OrKidstra with their programatic needs, and the advancement of reconciliation Member projects (Sistema Toronto and Sistema Kingston).

  • We are excited to have connected with the National Arts Centre: Arts Alive for their support in the Teaching Artist Mentorship Program. 

  • Membership in the Sistema Canada Network (SCN) comes with access to the popular Arts & Entertainment Plan, an affordable health insurance plan offered by the not-for-profit insurer AFBS. The plan is designed to help artists manage their health care costs. SCN members are guaranteed acceptance into the plan, with no medical questionnaires necessary and no refusals based on pre-existing conditions.