We are passionate and dedicated professionals with years of experience in the Arts
Dr. SUZANNE GINDIN - Executive Director
Dr. Suzanne Gindin is the Executive Director and Founder of the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra. She has four advanced degrees from a bachelors to a doctorate in conducting from Northwestern University and 20 years of music teaching and conducting experience. Suzanne has conducted professional orchestras in Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan and has taken students on tour to Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and around the United States.
When Suzanne saw the power of El Sistema to inspire kids and their families through the story of Gustavo Dudamel and his meteoric rise to the top, she moved to LA. After attending three years of trainings at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, she started the BHCYO with a friend. The first day, 20 kids showed up. The next day, it was 40. The third day, they had to turn kids away when they hit 65. There was no more space or instruments! She and her colleagues donated their time, space and equipment for 75 hours that summer and continued the program for 4 hours a week the following school year. In addition to leading the BHCYO, Suzanne is a full time teacher of music at Hollenbeck Middle School, a Los Angeles public school in Boyle Heights.
JEN SIMONE- Lead Violin Teacher
Jen Simone is the lead violin teacher of the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra. She moved to LA last October after living in Seattle for 19 years. While in the Pacific Northwest, she maintained a private violin/viola studio and taught at various schools. Highlights included being a part of Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Chamber Music in the Classroom program and SYSO in the schools project. She was also a founding member of Bella Sala quartet which played numerous concerts often benefiting local charities. Since moving to LA, she has continued to enjoy a balance between teaching and performing. In addition to coaching for BHCYO, she also teaches violin/viola lessons at Oakwood School and coaches beginning strings for Open Academy Youth Orchestra. An active freelance musician, she has recorded for numerous movie soundtracks, video games and rock CDs. Jen is honored to be a part of BHCYO because the enthusiasm and passion of the students is invigorating.
ERIKA SALAS- Violin Teacher
Erika Salas is excited to be teaching violin to children in the Boyle Heights neighborhood where she grew up. Erika attended Hollenbeck Middle School and Roosevelt High School, then went on to major in music education at East Los Angeles College. Erika learned how to play the violin when she was in the 7th grade thanks to the mariachi program at her middle school. She can't imagine what her life would have been like without the opportunity to learn an instrument. There is nothing that makes her happier than giving a child the same chance she was given to experience the beauty of musical participation and to join a community of musicians. Erika has devoted herself to this mission with much zeal, with the hope of making a positive impact in the lives of children.
AIDE GARCIA- Flute Instructor
Aide Garcia is an accomplished flutist who grew up in Boyle Heights and teaches our beginning winds students. During high school, Aide played in the Roosevelt High School marching band, the concert band, and the Latin jazz band. She currently attends Glendale Community College and sings in the College's Chamber Choir, as well as playing and singing at her church. Aide's musical start began in fifth grade when her elementary teacher Mrs. Goodman dedicated time to teach Aide how to read music and play the flute during lunch breaks. Music wasn’t in the elementary curriculum, so Mrs. Goodman personally decided to give free lessons to those interested in learning. Her teacher's influence has stayed with Aide over the years, inspiring her to jump at the opportunity to teach the children in the BHCYO. This is Aide's way of giving back to her community in thanks for all the amazing things she learned from different people who passed through her life. This orchestra program is the foundation towards her future and she hopes to inspire the children as her teachers have inspired her.
Elizabeth Munzon- Social Media Marketing/ Art Intern
Elizabeth Munzon is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing, with a Minor in Marketing at California State University Long Beach. Elizabeth is interested in the art community in general. She believes that art expression can be a powerful thing for the general public and would like to be part of exposing, and creating diverse art programs for people of all ages. Elizabeth's passion for working with the art community can be seen through her studies and volunteer work. Elizabeth spent a semester in Tianjin, China where she attended Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, has be a volunteer with the Museum Of Latin American Art, as well as community events like the Long Beach Zine Fest.
Dr. Suzanne Gindin is the Executive Director and Founder of the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra. She has four advanced degrees from a bachelors to a doctorate in conducting from Northwestern University and 20 years of music teaching and conducting experience. Suzanne has conducted professional orchestras in Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan and has taken students on tour to Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and around the United States.
When Suzanne saw the power of El Sistema to inspire kids and their families through the story of Gustavo Dudamel and his meteoric rise to the top, she moved to LA. After attending three years of trainings at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, she started the BHCYO with a friend. The first day, 20 kids showed up. The next day, it was 40. The third day, they had to turn kids away when they hit 65. There was no more space or instruments! She and her colleagues donated their time, space and equipment for 75 hours that summer and continued the program for 4 hours a week the following school year. In addition to leading the BHCYO, Suzanne is a full time teacher of music at Hollenbeck Middle School, a Los Angeles public school in Boyle Heights.
JEN SIMONE- Lead Violin Teacher
Jen Simone is the lead violin teacher of the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra. She moved to LA last October after living in Seattle for 19 years. While in the Pacific Northwest, she maintained a private violin/viola studio and taught at various schools. Highlights included being a part of Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Chamber Music in the Classroom program and SYSO in the schools project. She was also a founding member of Bella Sala quartet which played numerous concerts often benefiting local charities. Since moving to LA, she has continued to enjoy a balance between teaching and performing. In addition to coaching for BHCYO, she also teaches violin/viola lessons at Oakwood School and coaches beginning strings for Open Academy Youth Orchestra. An active freelance musician, she has recorded for numerous movie soundtracks, video games and rock CDs. Jen is honored to be a part of BHCYO because the enthusiasm and passion of the students is invigorating.
ERIKA SALAS- Violin Teacher
Erika Salas is excited to be teaching violin to children in the Boyle Heights neighborhood where she grew up. Erika attended Hollenbeck Middle School and Roosevelt High School, then went on to major in music education at East Los Angeles College. Erika learned how to play the violin when she was in the 7th grade thanks to the mariachi program at her middle school. She can't imagine what her life would have been like without the opportunity to learn an instrument. There is nothing that makes her happier than giving a child the same chance she was given to experience the beauty of musical participation and to join a community of musicians. Erika has devoted herself to this mission with much zeal, with the hope of making a positive impact in the lives of children.
AIDE GARCIA- Flute Instructor
Aide Garcia is an accomplished flutist who grew up in Boyle Heights and teaches our beginning winds students. During high school, Aide played in the Roosevelt High School marching band, the concert band, and the Latin jazz band. She currently attends Glendale Community College and sings in the College's Chamber Choir, as well as playing and singing at her church. Aide's musical start began in fifth grade when her elementary teacher Mrs. Goodman dedicated time to teach Aide how to read music and play the flute during lunch breaks. Music wasn’t in the elementary curriculum, so Mrs. Goodman personally decided to give free lessons to those interested in learning. Her teacher's influence has stayed with Aide over the years, inspiring her to jump at the opportunity to teach the children in the BHCYO. This is Aide's way of giving back to her community in thanks for all the amazing things she learned from different people who passed through her life. This orchestra program is the foundation towards her future and she hopes to inspire the children as her teachers have inspired her.
Elizabeth Munzon- Social Media Marketing/ Art Intern
Elizabeth Munzon is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing, with a Minor in Marketing at California State University Long Beach. Elizabeth is interested in the art community in general. She believes that art expression can be a powerful thing for the general public and would like to be part of exposing, and creating diverse art programs for people of all ages. Elizabeth's passion for working with the art community can be seen through her studies and volunteer work. Elizabeth spent a semester in Tianjin, China where she attended Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, has be a volunteer with the Museum Of Latin American Art, as well as community events like the Long Beach Zine Fest.