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Anna Klimala and the Miami Music Project

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Anna Klimala and the Miami Music Project

Introduction to Anna Klimala. 1:31 min. Interview: Raymond Elman.  Post-Production: Lee Skye. Music:  Miami Music Project.  Recorded via ZOOM  5/7/2026, Miami.

 

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. For Anna, the 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.

— https://miamimusicproject.org/

 

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 4 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

SERENDIPITY:    1:22 min.

Where did you grow up, and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:    0:37 sec.

Is that your double bass in the corner behind you?

 

EMPATHY:    2:15 min.

Growing up near the Auschwitz extermination camp, were you aware of its history or shielded from it?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    2:08 min.

When did you become passionate about making music?

 

SERENDIPITY:    1:58 min.

Why did you switch from playing the piano to the double bass?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:     1:03 min.

What was your next step after high school?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:     1:48 min.

How did you transition to the United States?

 

SELF-CONFIDENCE:     1:23 min.

What happened after you finished school?

 

PERSEVERANCE FURTHERS:    1:03 min.

Did you already speak English when you started living in the United States?

 

OPEN TO CHANGE, FLEXIBILITY:    0:42 sec.

How did moving from the climate of Poland to the Miami tropics impact you?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    0:51 sec.

Have you had the opportunity to perform in the New World Center designed by world renowned architect Frank Gehry?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:    2:17  min. 

Tell us about your transition from performing to managing.

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:    3:24 min.

Tell us about the Miami Music Project.

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:    1:32 min

Has the Miami Music Project become a role model for the rest of the world?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    3:37 min.

How did you develop your management skills?

 

EMPATHY:   2:01 min.

What are a few of the highlights of your experience with Miami Music Project?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:    0:52 sec.

Have you met Miami-raised astronaut and jazz musician Winston Scott?

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:     3:28 min.

Which communities benefit the most from Miami Music Project?

 

COLLABORATION:     2:02 min.

How did you meet our mutual friend, jazz vocalist Nicole Henry?

 

UNDERSTANDS THE BUSINESS OF ART:     2:22 min.

Given the diminishment of government funding for the arts these days (2026), what’s your strategy for fundraising?

 

STRONG DRIVE FOR ACHIEVEMENT:     2:33 min

If funding isn’t a problem, what’s your vision for Miami Music Project?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:     0:56 sec.

What’s your favorite movie?