Equity Arc
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Creating a level playing field in classical music
Equity Arc (formerly known as NIMAN) works as a connector, convener, and facilitator for music organizations and BIPOC instrumentalists, and is designed to support all stages of the musical journey. Historically, musicians of color have been underrepresented in classical music, and it is essential to confront why this lack of diversity exists. Equity Arc seeks to dismantle the structural inequitie
06/18/2026
🎉 Congratulations to Jaiveion Benjamin, who was selected as a grantee for the Equity Arc Instrument Fund! Jaiveion was awarded $13K towards a viola made by Robert Brode.
"The impact of this new instrument was immediate. With its superior clarity and projection, I successfully won auditions for my summer festivals, was named a finalist in a concerto competition, and have felt significantly more confident during multiple masterclasses. This viola allows me to focus entirely on my artistry and the guidance of my mentors." - Jaiveion Benjamin, viola, Instrument Fund Grantee
06/12/2026
Sectionals 🎵
Sectionals allow time for fellows and faculty to dig into music and get to know one another on a deeper level. It is always a highlight of the festival!
📷 Melissa Taylor
What was it like being a fellow in the 2026 Pathways Orchestra? ➡️ Check out what trombone fellow and Equity Arc intern Ugo Nwakanma has to say!
As a collegiate fellow, Ugo took on a leadership role at this year's festival and served as the facilitator for the fellow panel titled "From Talent to Tenacity." Check out the full fellow panel at https://ow.ly/vAWS50Z9TLN
From rehearsal to the performance stage!
Check out these clips of the Equity Arc Wind Symphony playing "Deciduous" by Viet Cuong!
06/03/2026
"This marimba symbolizes belief. Equity Arc’s support tells me that my voice and my future in music matter. It feels like a community is standing beside me, investing in my potential and helping remove barriers that too often keep young artists from reaching their next step." - Sydney Vance, percussion, Instrument Fund Grantee
🎉 Congratulations, Sydney!
Sydney was awarded $15K towards a 5.0 Octave Rosewood Marimba by Majestic and various mallets and accessories purchased from Steve Weiss Music and Freer Percussion!
The Equity Arc Instrument Fund helps young musicians obtain professional-caliber instruments necessary for competitive advancement. Launched in 2025, we have awarded $150K to 17 exceptional musicians across the country.
"You need to tell the stories that you believe in, and the stories that take a lot of work. If you want people to believe it, you gotta have your craft."
Gabriela Lena Frank gave an impactful and inspiring keynote address at the 2026 Equity Arc National Convening. She spoke on themes of resilience, mentorship and hope. Watch Gabriela's full Keynote Address at https://ow.ly/oHqb50Z6j6v
We loved hearing Seth and the rest of the fellow panelists speak about about perseverance, resilience, and the importance of mentorship during the Equity Arc Fellow Panel earlier this month! They spoke deeply about their lived experiences and what it takes to become a successful musician.
➡️ Watch the full panel at https://ow.ly/Uc7C50Z4SkM
05/15/2026
🎵 Concert Day
Sunday, May 3: the day everyone was waiting for! Convening attendees, fellows, faculty, and Equity Arc supporters gathered at Capital One Hall for a deeply moving and impactful closing Keynote Address by acclaimed public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson. His powerful words grounded the weekend's themes of resilience and hope and left a lasting impression upon the audience.
Fellows took the stage at 2pm to showcase their artistry and hard work. The Wind Symphony performed an exciting program of works by Ryan George, Viet Cuong, Florence Price, James Lee III, and Carlos Simon. The Pathways Orchestra closed the festival with works by Antonin Dvorak, Jessie Montgomery, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
"My Festival Ensemble experience has been one I can never forget. Attending this festival has taught me the importance of connecting with other musicians with similar backgrounds and that those relationships will last a lifetime. It has given me a taste of what beautiful music-making feels like and the work it takes to produce a meaningful product. This festival continues to renew my love and drive of being a professional musician." - Kevin Porter, double bass, Pathways Orchestra
📷 Melissa Taylor
05/14/2026
Saturday, May 2 Recap ⏪
Day 2 of the National Convening brought deep, intentional conversations about mentorship and the support musicians need to navigate the field. The variety of backgrounds, from administrators to parents of young musicians, provided perspectives and discussion from voices across the musical ecosystem.
Fellows spent the day at Capital One Hall in sectionals, rehearsals, and faculty panels. The day wrapped up with the College and Summer Study Fair, where fellows were able to connect with collegiate and summer study programs!
📷 Melissa Taylor
05/13/2026
Friday ➡️
May 1 was jam-packed with activities for our fellows and kicked off the National Convening!
Fellows had morning and evening rehearsals, a visit to Supreme Court, breakout conversations, and the fellow panel!
The National Convening events began with the fellow panel, "From Talent to Tenacity," and an impactful keynote address from composer and pianist Gabriela Lena Frank. Attendees left buzzing with excitement for the next day's events!
📷 Melissa Taylor
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