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OUR TEAM

ANNA BARSON
She/her
Managing Director
anna@tatraininginstitute.org 

Anna Barson is a passionate educator, musician, and arts advocate based in Durham, NC. As Managing Director of the Teaching Artists Training Institute (TATI), Anna spearheads strategic initiatives, fundraising efforts, and collaborative partnerships to cultivate a national, sustainable arts community grounded in equity and inclusivity. Her leadership equips music educators across North America with actionable resources and strategies, enhancing their impact in diverse educational settings.

Anna has led presentations at national conferences such as NAfME and El Sistema USA, and has presented workshops for non-profit organizations like BRAVO Youth Orchestras and Miami Music Project. She was also honored as a SPHINXConnect Fellow, reflecting her commitment to equity and inclusion in the arts.

Before joining TATI, Anna taught orchestra at the elementary and middle school levels and transitioned to administrative roles at Kidznotes, an El Sistema-inspired nonprofit, and the SKJAJA Fund, a community-based scholarship program. She holds a dual Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance and Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Arts in Arts Management and Cultural Leadership from Colorado State University.

In her free time, Anna enjoys performing with local orchestras, experimenting with new recipes, and camping in the mountains with her dog, Milo.

Anna Barson
She/her
Managing Director

Nick Helms
He/him
Program and Operations Coordinator
nick@tatraininginstitute.org

Nick Helms is an arts manager and musician based in Pittsburgh, PA. As the Programs and Operations Coordinator for the Teaching Artists Training Institute (TATI), he supports the logistical and operational aspects of TATI's programs and events. He is excited to advance impact through investment in teaching artists.
 
Prior to joining TATI, Nick has worked with nonprofit organizations, such as The New Group and Pittsburgh Public Theater, as well as the City of Greensboro in his home state of North Carolina. His work experience includes fundraising, program management, and cultivation of community partnerships. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
 
Outside of work, Nick enjoys baking, attending local performances and festivals, and drinking far too much coffee.
NICK HELMS
He/him
Operations and Systems Manager

MIAMI MUSIC PROJECT SUPPORTING STAFF

Anna Klimala
Managing Director

Anna Klimala is an arts executive, music educator, activist, and double-bassist whose mission is to re-establish music’s central place in the development and education of all young people. As President of Miami Music Project, she oversees the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission, long-range strategy, financial objectives, and operations. Her strong pedagogical background helps her guide Miami Music Project through its exciting growth and implementation of innovative El Sistema inspired programming, of which she was the initiator.Anna’s introduction to music began at age 6 when her grandfather, a wood artisan, received a piano as payment for his service. Eventually, she recognized that playing music is a skill beneficial to everyone, but is not easily accessible. This encouraged Anna to pursue a career inspired by her passion for music education and its transformative abilities. She believes music should not only be a right to children, but also a reality.Anna earned her Master’s degree in Music Education from the Szymanowski Academy of Music in her native Poland, and a Graduate Certificate in Double Bass Performance from the University of Southern California. Additionally, she trained at leadership and executive education programs, including at Columbia Business School (through Miami Foundation’s Miami Leaders Award) and Harvard Business School (through a full scholarship from the HBS Club of South Florida).Through Anna’s leadership, Miami Music Project has amassed a wide array of achievements, including a special proclamation from Miami-Dade County Public Schools honoring Miami Music Project as a provider of “relevant, rigorous and innovative academics.” Miami Music Project has also received the Superintendent’s Choice Award, the highest honor given to community-based organizations by the Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce also named Miami Music Project as 1 of the 3 finalists for the 2018 NOVO awards recognizing nonprofit innovative excellence.As a strong proponent of giving back, Anna co-founded and directs the annual Summer Trombone Festival in Poland, serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of El Sistema USA (A National Alliance of El Sistema-inspired Programs), and regularly contributes as a grants panelist for various organizations in Florida, including Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Division of Cultural Affairs for the State of Florida, the Knight Foundation, and The Miami Foundation. Additionally, Anna has presented in several conferences, including the Take A Stand Symposium, an annual gathering of arts professionals from various El Sistema-inspired programs, and the National El Sistema USA Symposium.Proud of her journey of contributing to the community, Anna has broken barriers as an immigrant and a woman in a leadership role. Anna’s most rewarding aspect of her work in Miami Music Project is seeing the transformation in students who become accomplished and contributing individuals in society. When she is not making a difference in the lives of children, Anna enjoys baking and practicing yoga.

Anna Klimala
President and CEO

Andrea Pascual
Director of Operations

Andrea is responsible for managing the business and financial aspects of the organization, including finance, accounting, business analysis, human resources, marketing, and information systems.

 
She has more than 16 years of experience working in both for-profit and non-profits organizations. Her dedication, self-motivation and resourceful problem-solver mindset led to increasing responsibilities and proved her abilities as a successful manager.
 
Andrea hails from Argentina where she studied Mass Communication and Advertising at the Universidad Nacional de San Juan. As your everyday music lover, Andrea enjoys listening to different kinds of music and styles. Adopting Miami as her home base, she lives with her husband, their son, and three dogs.
 
In her downtime, she likes immersing herself in nature, going for bike rides in the park, and taking her son on walks. She is an animal rights advocate and makes sure to help animals find new homes whenever she can.
Andrea Pascual
Chief Administrative Officer