CONTACT: Anne C. Mitchell, Marketing Coordinator
Community Music Center
(415) 647-6015 x86
amitchell@sfcmc.org
COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER (CMC) ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
New Executive Director brings an impressive array of skills and a passion for community music-making to one of San Francisco’s oldest arts organizations
San Francisco, CA (October 10, 2017) — Community Music Center, a 96-year-old Mission District-based nonprofit music school, has selected Julie Rulyak Steinberg as Executive Director after a CMC Board of Directors led national search process. Julie is CMC’s ninth Executive Director since its founding in 1921. She follows Christopher Borg, who served as Executive Director for six years.
“I am so excited to have Julie as our new Executive Director,” said Barbara Kosner CMC Board of Directors President. “The CMC Board was unanimous in their selection of Julie — her experience and dedication impressed all of us. Julie has spent her entire professional career in community music education, and it shows. As a musician herself, she communicates so well with all of our stakeholders — staff, faculty, board, students, and supporters. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I am looking forward to a long and deep partnership between Julie and the Board.”
Prior to joining Community Music Center, Julie served as the Executive Director of Turtle Bay Music School in New York City. Turtle Bay Music School is founding member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and one of the oldest and most reputable community music schools in the country. Prior to working with TBMS, Julie was the Managing Director of Cynthia Glacken Associates, a leader in nonprofit communications, strategy, and design.
“Becoming a part of CMC is one of the great honors of my life. When you walk through the doors of CMC, you can immediately feel the warmth and kindness that every member of the community exudes. Within these doors, and in our partnerships all over the city, harmonious (and sometimes cacophonous!) joy abounds. CMC is an exemplary institution providing access to every community member who seeks music and the arts as a tool of personal expression and progress, and a refuge from the pressures of everyday life. Places like CMC are rare jewels, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead CMC into its next century of service to San Francisco.”
Julie has an extensive background in fundraising and institutional advancement, and brings a wealth of experience in brand identity, strategic planning, and best practices for program development and sustainability. A sought-after expert in community arts education, Julie has served as a grant panelist for numerous organizations including the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the New York Times Company Foundation. She has also presented relevant topics and moderated discussions on arts education and nonprofit management at conferences and major universities throughout the United States.
Deeply committed to the expansion of community music-making, Julie trained with Third Street Music School Settlement and the National Guild for Community Arts Education while developing curriculum for a Community Music Education Master’s Degree program at New York University under the supervision of Dr. David Elliott. She is also a teacher of the Orff Schulwerk. Julie holds a B.M. and M.A. from New York University’s Steinhardt School for Culture, Education and Human Development.
About Community Music Center
Founded in 1921, San Francisco’s Community Music Center (CMC) is one of the oldest and largest community arts organizations on the West Coast. CMC makes high quality music accessible to all people, regardless of financial means. Last year, CMC awarded over $2 million in tuition assistance, serving more than 2,600 students of all ages, ethnicities and income levels with music lessons, classes and other programs. Thousands enjoyed performances at CMC and out in the community. Learn more at www.sfcmc.org and follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Photo of Julie Rulyak-Steinberg
Community Music Center impact video
