Interim Director of the FIU School of Music, Karen S. Fuller-Veloz, has been invited to serve as a higher education advisor on the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS).
The Alliance is a national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras by offering mentoring, audition, and financial support to Black and Latinx orchestral musicians across the country. It is comprised of three partnering organizations: The Sphinx Organization, the lead program and fiscal administrator for the Alliance; the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy; and the League of American Orchestras, representing 700 orchestras.
“I am proud to be able to represent Florida International University and the School of Music with prestigious national orchestras and higher education institutions in researching policies and procedures for the future musicians of this country and provide a mechanism wherein to fill the gap and provide a mechanism for higher education to be a catalyst of same,” said Karen S. Fuller-Veloz.
Other members serving on the higher education group include:
- Jerrod Price- Cleveland Institute of Music, Associate Dean of Admissions & Enrollment Management, Executive Director of Preparatory Enrollment Pathway Programs
- Jamal Rossi – Eastman School of Music, Dean
- Alfred Duckett – Jackson State University, Associate Professor of Music
- Joyce Griggs – Manhattan School of Music, Executive Vice President and Provost
- William Quillen – Oberlin College & Conservatory, Dean of the Conservatory
- Mark Clague – School of Music, Theatre, & Dance, University of Michigan, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
- Lorenzo Candelaria – School of the Arts, SUNY Purchase, Dean
The Alliance is supported by a $1.8 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and contributions made by various orchestras to carry out its mission.
