Executive Director
- Employer
- Midori Foundation
- Location
- New York, United States
- Salary
- Competitive Salary
- Closing date
- Mar 11, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Executive, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Other Fundraising, Administrative, Public Relations and Communications
- Fields
- Arts, Education, Youth
- Employment Type
- Full Time
The Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Midori
Foundation in the search for an Executive Director.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will
serve as the leader, manager, fundraiser, and ambassador of Midori
& Friends, and will drive all management, government and
private fundraising, and operational functions as well as work to
raise the profile and brand awareness for this $2 million
organization. The Executive Director will advance music education
and take this organization to the next level in impact and
influence by leveraging resources, driving funding, increasing
visibility, and enhancing programs in the youth and music education
field. Midori & Friends seeks a leader and visionary with the
executive presence, strategic acuity, and creativity to further
build innovative and high-performing music programs to enable
Midori & Friends to remain at the forefront of music education.
The Executive Director will be a natural diplomat and dynamic
partner, a passionate, persuasive communicator and ambassador as
well as a results-oriented problem solver.
In 1992, world renowned violinist Midori performed in New York City
schools to bring great music to students in underserved
communities. Inspired to do more, she founded Midori & Friends.
Her goal then, as it is now, was to spark students’ creativity,
empower them through knowledge and skill, and cultivate them into
lifelong music lovers. Her objective was not to create virtuosos;
rather to honor the artistry in every student while nurturing
beginner musicians into well-rounded young people.
For 27 years, Midori & Friends has empowered its students by
developing their musicianship and instilling core life values. With
6 full-time staff and 3 consultants, 19 board members, and 95
professional musicians, it annually serves thousands of students
ages 3-18 at public schools in ethnically diverse,
socio-economically challenged neighborhoods. To date, Midori &
Friends has reached over 250,000 students. Distinguished by its
longstanding partnerships, it collaborates with schools to
customize high quality programs that augment their specific
cultural assets.
Throughout its existence, Midori & Friends has brought the gift
of music to historically marginalized neighborhoods in New York
City. In the public schools it serves, students are predominantly
black, brown and Asian. Creative expression gives them a voice. The
Board and staff of Midori & Friends reflect the communities and
children it serves. Its musical programming and offerings encompass
the complexity and variety of many cultures. None of this is by
chance. Midori & Friends firmly and fervently believes in
diversity in leadership and purpose. But diversity by itself is not
enough. It must be connected to equity — the application of
fairness and impartiality – and inclusion – the genuine empowerment
of people of different backgrounds and experiences – to have real
meaning and impact. Diversity, equity, and inclusion work in
unison. They are not just goals. They are the values and commitment
of Midori & Friends.
Midori & Friends works closely with its partners to define
learning and program objectives. Through music, it supports its
students and increases their self-confidence by instilling core
life values to develop them into proud and assured individuals. It
ensures quality by engaging the very best artists and conducting
rigorous program evaluation through continual assessment and
on-going professional development. Its community is encouraged,
through reflection, to be accountable for achieving its shared
goals. Midori & Friends seeks out communities in need to
promote equal access to the riches of a cultural education and
deliver customized musical experiences that mirror the values of
each community.
A bachelor’s degree is required for this position as is at least
seven years of experience in a leadership role at an organization
of similar size and scope, preferably in the areas of
youth/community arena, education, and music and cultural arts.All
applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé.
Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Midori
Foundation and exhibit a commitment to the critical role music
education plays in enriching the lives of children in New York City
public schools.
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