Staff

Angelica Cortez

Executive Director
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Angelica Cortez (she/her) is a Los Angeles-born arts leader working at the intersection of music, education, and justice. She is excited to join a long legacy of educators who believe in the fundamental power of music education and its ability to impact the lives of young people. She served as Interim President and CEO of El Sistema USA, where she collaborated with member organizations across the country that provide music and youth development programming to young people who often face barriers in accessing music education. She started her career with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on YOLA, Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program offering free music education and academic support to students around the country. Angelica was selected as a Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts, & Diversity) fellow, a two-year leadership program designed to evolve the industry landscape by empowering the next generation of executive leaders. She is an active speaker, educator, and consultant, and teaches at the University of Southern California as part of the Arts Leadership program. Outside of her work and healthy obsession with music, she loves writing, cooking, running, reading, and her community.

Laura Yasuda

Director, Operations
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Lucinda Ali-Landing

Community Engagement & Marketing Manager
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Lucinda Ali-Landing is a passionate advocate for the arts, music education, and community engagement. With a rich background in entrepreneurship and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of music, Lucinda has taken on the role of Community Engagement and Marketing Manager at the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Lucinda’s journey into the world of music and education began early in life, as she discovered the violin as her instrument of choice. Her dedication and talent quickly became evident, and she pursued formal training with Suzuki lessons, later graduating from Northern Illinois University and DePaul University in Music Performance. This journey instilled in her a profound understanding of the importance of music education in shaping young minds and fostering a sense of community. Before joining the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Lucinda built an impressive career as the founding Director of the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute and  Development Coordinator at Chicago Sinfonietta, working cross-departmentally in fundraising, marketing, and community engagement. Her ability to merge her marketing expertise with her passion for music and education has been instrumental in promoting the arts and engaging communities. As Community Engagement and Marketing Manager, Lucinda brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to expanding the reach of the Suzuki Method. She is dedicated to connecting with teachers, students, and parents across the Americas, ensuring that the Suzuki Method continues flourishing and enriching lives. Lucinda is excited to play a pivotal role in furthering the mission of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving community of musicians. With her dynamic approach, Lucinda Ali-Landing is poised to inspire and empower individuals to discover the joy of music through Suzuki education while strengthening the bonds of the community across the Americas.

Erin Rushforth

Learning Manager
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720-562-2955

Erin Rushforth is a violinist with an eye for detail and a penchant for planning. She is thrilled to step into the role of Learning Manager and brings with her a deep commitment to Suzuki education, a love of people and languages, and abundant leadership experience. Erin was a Suzuki kid and studied in high school with Mary West of the MacPhail Center for Music. At Brigham Young University, she earned a BA and MA in French, before embarking on her Suzuki pedagogy studies. Erin taught violin privately for two decades, while continuing her Suzuki training, as well as coaching and teaching in public and private schools. In 2019, Erin became Director of the Japan-Seattle Suzuki Institute. She helped form the Institute Leadership Team, where she has worked to foster a collaborative, inclusive community for Suzuki Institute directors and to build bridges of communication within the SAA community. Erin is eager to continue that work in this new role and help shape the future of Suzuki education.

Dyane Protzmann Rogelstad

Membership Associate
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Dyane is pleased to join the SAA team as Membership Associate. She is overjoyed to be able to support the organization which has supported her for most of her lifetime. Dyane completed long-term Suzuki Piano training in San Diego and has been actively teaching and pursuing ongoing professional development since 1982. She currently lives in Colorado and enjoys water sports and visiting with her three grandchildren.

Christie Felsing

Teacher Development Consultant