Boston String Academy is a dynamic nonprofit organization inspired by Venezuela’s renowned El Sistema model, which champions musical excellence as a powerful force for social change. Through rigorous, joyful string instruction, Boston String Academy opens doors for children in underserved communities—removing financial and logistical barriers and creating life-changing access to high-level music education.
Founded in 2012 by violinists Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez, graduates of The Boston Conservatory and El Sistema Venezuela, the Academy is rooted in the founders’ belief that discipline, collaboration, and artistry shape not only musicians, but confident, compassionate human beings. Today, Boston String Academy serves more than 120 students through three programs in Boston’s Chinatown and Allston neighborhoods, providing a comprehensive musical foundation while fostering creativity, leadership, and responsibility.
The Academy’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Students have performed nationally and internationally and have been selected for prestigious programs including the Dudamel Foundation’s Encuentros in Mexico City, Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra in Italy, Orquestra Geração in Portugal, LA Phil’s YOLA National Festival, Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, and the Sphinx Performance Academy, among many others. Boston String Academy has also collaborated with legendary artists such as Midori, Gustavo Dudamel, and Sir Simon Rattle.
Recognized for both artistic excellence and community impact, Boston String Academy received the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Commonwealth Award in 2019. In 2024, its Youth Ensemble made a landmark debut at Carnegie Hall, affirming the Academy’s mission: transforming lives, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation—one string, one student, and one powerful performance at a time.
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