Violin Channel: CCM alumna accepted into third Sphinx LEAD Program
Arts Administration alumna Johnnia Stigall is one of 11 arts leaders selected from around the U.S.
UC College-Conservatory of Music alumna Johnnia Stigall (BM Viola, '12; MM Viola, '12; MA Arts Administration, '14) is a member of the third cohort of the prestigious Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts and Diversity) program. The two-year leadership program is designed to evolve the industry landscape by empowering the next generation of executive leaders.
Johnnia Stigall
The Violin Channel reports that 11 arts leaders of color were selected to participate in the third cohort of Sphinx LEAD. The curriculum includes mentorship, networking, and leadership retreats at top institutions nationwide. Learn more about the program.
Stigall is the Manager of Pre-College and Pathway Programs at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM). In her role, she manages CIM’s Young Artist, Musical Pathway Fellowship, and Pre-College programs for the Preparatory and Continuing Education division and serves as staff advisor to CIM’s Black Student Union.
Named one of Musical America’s Top 30 Professionals of 2019, Stigall was previously project manager of the National Alliance for Audition Support led by the Sphinx Organization, New World Symphony, and League of American Orchestras, following positions in education and community engagement with the Baltimore Symphony, Peabody Institute and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
About the Sphinx Organization
The Sphinx Organization is a social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Sphinx’s four program areas — Education and Access, Artist Development, Performing Artists, and Arts Leadership — form a pipeline that develops and supports diversity and inclusion in classical music at every level: music education, artists performing on stage, the repertoire and programming being performed, the communities represented in audiences, and the artistic and administrative leadership within the field.
Sphinx was founded in 1997 by Aaron P. Dworkin with the goal of addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in classical music. The name Sphinx, inspired by the mythical creature and legendary statue, reflects the power, wisdom and persistence that characterize Sphinx’s participants, as well as the enigmatic and interpretive nature of music and art.
Now lead by President and Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin, Sphinx programs reach more than 100,000 students and artists as well as live and broadcast audiences of more than two million annually. Read more about Sphinx’s programs.
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