MEDIA CONTACT
Dana Long
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
dlong@pacificsyphony.org

Pacific Symphony announces the appointment of Ameena Maria Khawaja as its new Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, effective January 6, 2025. A distinguished arts administrator, educator, and performer, Ameena brings a dynamic blend of strategic leadership, program development, and nonprofit management experience, coupled with a deep passion for inspiring communities through music.

In her new role and in partnership with a strong program team, Ameena will oversee Pacific Symphony’s groundbreaking education and community engagement initiatives. These include the nationally recognized Class Act Elementary School Partnership Program, multicultural celebrations such as the Lantern Festival, and the transformative Heartstrings Community Engagement Program, which offers music and wellness concerts, free lessons for underserved youth, and access for thousands of community members to attend concerts at no cost. Ameena will spearhead efforts to deepen the Symphony’s reach into underserved communities, expand K–12 outreach, foster meaningful partnerships, and design programs that reflect the organization’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and artistic excellence.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ameena Khawaja to our leadership team,” said John Forsyte, President and CEO of Pacific Symphony. “Her extraordinary blend of experience, vision, and creativity will drive the Symphony’s mission to inspire and connect our diverse communities through the transformative power of music.”

A Proven Record of Impact
Since 2020, Ameena has served as Executive Director of El Sistema USA/Salinas (Youth Orchestra Salinas), where she transformed the organization through visionary leadership. Under her guidance, YOSAL expanded its reach by building partnerships with new school districts, local governments, and community organizations.

Ameena is also the co-founder of the California Orchestra Academy, where she developed an international summer festival in partnership with California State University, Monterey Bay. Her leadership spanned faculty and student engagement, logistics, and performance schedules, earning widespread acclaim.

Her prior roles as a teaching artist for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and the Harmony Project underscore her dedication to nurturing young musicians. Ameena has designed and implemented curricula for students aged 7–18, developed chamber music programs, and prepared orchestras for high-profile performances, including the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show.

As a cellist and mezzo-soprano, Ameena has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and events, including the Grammy Awards, Coachella Festival, and Hollywood Bowl. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Billie Eilish, and Juanes. Ameena’s multidisciplinary expertise and multicultural background enable her to craft innovative, inclusive programs that resonate with diverse audiences of all ages.

“I am deeply honored to join Pacific Symphony, an organization that embodies the power of music to uplift and unite communities,” said Ameena Khawaja. “I look forward to being a part of this extraordinary team to build on the Symphony’s legacy of excellence and expand its reach to inspire the next generation.”

This was a search conducted by the Arts Consulting Group.

About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony, based in Orange County and resident orchestra of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, is a leader in musical innovation and community connection. Since its founding in 1978, the Symphony has grown to become the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years. Under Carl St.Clair’s remarkable 35-year tenure as Music Director, the Symphony has earned a reputation for excellence, presenting over 100 concerts annually and serving more than 300,000 individuals through performances and innovative programs. In 2026, Alexander Shelley will succeed St.Clair, bringing new energy to the Symphony’s mission of inclusion, creativity, and engagement.

Pacific Symphony’s education and community engagement initiatives are transformative, serving diverse audiences and fostering a deep appreciation for music. The arts-X-press program provides middle school students with an immersive summer camp experience, encouraging creativity and self-expression through hands-on exposure to music, theater, visual arts, and dance. Class Act brings musicians into elementary classrooms, seamlessly integrating music education with students’ daily learning to inspire a lifelong connection to the arts. Heartstrings, an initiative supporting under-resourced communities, offers free music lessons, instruments, and mentorship to empower young musicians and enrich their lives.

Through its Music and Wellness initiatives, the Symphony brings the therapeutic benefits of live music to healthcare, schools, and senior living facilities. Access Concerts ensure that live music is accessible to underserved communities by offering free tickets to performances, while Savanna Strings introduces students in underrepresented schools to the joy of playing string instruments. Building Communities Concerts celebrate cultural traditions such as Lunar New Year and Nowruz, and in 2025, the Symphony will debut Symphonic Soul, a new initiative honoring diverse musical heritages. The annual Lantern Festival, a free day-long cultural festival, highlights East and Southeast Asian traditions through music, dance, and cultural activities.

Pacific Symphony also nurtures the next generation of musicians through its renowned youth ensembles, including the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Youth Wind Ensemble, Santiago Strings, and Youth Concert Band. These groups have toured internationally, earned prestigious awards, and provided young artists with opportunities to excel.

By combining artistic excellence with a commitment to education and accessibility, Pacific Symphony continues to enrich lives, foster new talent, and create meaningful connections throughout Southern California. Its innovative programs ensure music remains a vital part of the community’s cultural fabric.

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