Élider DiPaula

I am a Creative Executive with 15 years of experience as a professional musician, arts leader and philanthropist focusing on nonprofit leadership and organizational development. As the Executive Director of Project 88 Music Academy, I drive initiatives to secure funding, expand scholarship programs and transform access to professional music education. Our organization designs and implements comprehensive curricula for Academic programs resulting in measurable success. Our pupils have progressed into professional engagements, recitals and premieres of commissioned works. Additionally, I maintain an active performance schedule, averaging two professional engagements per month.

Previously, I served as President of the Advisory Board at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where I provided strategic leadership in curriculum development and faculty professional development.

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Arts & Music LLC, we’ve advanced music education outreach through a holistic learning model that promotes independent thinking and cross-cultural connections. Beacon Arts and Music has cultivated a professional and education-focused environment that connects diverse communities through music instruction, concerts, and professional artist management.

Project 88 has produced over 100 successful concerts featuring artists from more than 17 nationalities, fostering cultural exchange and enriching the community. Under my leadership, our organization has raised over $1M in funding, enabling 130+ students to receive full scholarships. We have seen an enrollment increase of nearly 9x. After seven successful seasons of events, we have cultivated a social network of diverse, influential individuals in the professional entertainment and arts industry.