WNTLpanelists

Alexa Smith is the Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Special Initiatives at Manhattan School of Music. In this role, she oversees special projects for the Office of the President and leads the Cultural Inclusion Initiative as part of MSM’s Strategic Plan. Under that initiative, she leads workshops and training for students, faculty, and staff on a variety of topics including equity and inclusion onstage and offstage, analyzing problematic repertoire in the classical canon, and changing the “colorblind” narrative. Prior to joining Manhattan School of Music Alexa was Director of Marketing at New York City Opera where she created events for the Pride Series (Brokeback Mountain and Iain Bell and Mark Campbell’s World Premiere of Stonewall) and Opéra en Español. She created partnerships with The LGBT Community Center, The Mexican Consulate, The Mexican Cultural Institute NY, The Stonewall at 50 Consortium, and Ucross Foundation. As a soprano, Alexa has sung with the Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance, New York City Opera, and Dell’Arte Opera among others. She is a member of the SphinxLEAD Program, a 2-year professional empowerment program designed to evolve the landscape of arts leadership. This past summer, Alexa was a guest speaker and a teaching artist for Project 440, a non-profit preparing young musicians to use their musical gifts to transform lives and transform communities.

Miguel A. Rodríguez is the President and Founder of Athlone Artists, and Co-Founder of Insignia Athlone Artists Management EU/UK. Prior to this, Miguel has led some of New England’s most acclaimed cultural organizations, including as Executive Director of Boston Baroque, America’s oldest period-instrument orchestra. During his tenure he raised the company’s profile by elevating the artistic level of its guest soloists, developed new community outreach initiatives, launched Boston Baroque Radio, and refreshed the image of the organization through innovation, improved branding, and social media engagement. His prior experience includes senior executive positions with Opera Boston, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and Scullers Jazz Club. In 2007, he was one of a small number of leaders selected by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to participate in the first Executive Leadership Program for Non-Profit Cultural Organizations at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. In 2011, he was one of 20 to be selected nationally to join The 21st Century Fellows Program, a multi-year leadership development program for LGBT people of color. Trained as an opera singer, Miguel studied voice at the University of Michigan with soprano Martha Sheil and tenor George Shirley. He continued his graduate work in voice under renown soprano Phyllis Curtin at Boston University and went on to sing in many opera houses throughout Europe and the United States. Miguel has served as President of the Board of Directors of Early Music America and is an active member of the International Artist Managers’ Association (IAMA), Opera Managers Association International (OMAI), the North American Performing Artist Managers and Agents (NAPAMA), Opera America, the League of American Orchestras, and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.

Zakiyyah Sutton is an artist, activist, and scholar, combining her work as a professional musician with her passion for creative justice. A classically-trained singer from Boston, Massachusetts, she is well-versed in opera, jazz, R&B, and gospel. She blends her classical training with her urban upbringing to create a sound which she calls “Hip-Hopera.” Zakiyyah studied voice at New England Conservatory, holds an undergraduate degree in political science and sociology from Wellesley College, and majored in vocal music at Boston Arts Academy. She has worked in communications for City Counselor Tito Jackson, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, where she created Defensive Aids in Situations of Help (DASH)—a women’s self-defense program. She also serves as a trustee for the Free for All Concert Fund, an organization charged with providing the necessary funding to make classical music accessible. Zakiyyah is also passionate about mentoring youth. In addition to teaching private voice through Hamilton-Garrett Music and Boston Arts Academy, Zakiyyah launched Creative Revolution, a summer program that teaches teens about arts-activism. In 2016, Zakiyyah spent a year working with artists in communities around the world including in the Czech Republic, Thailand, South Africa, and Colombia. Zakiyyah’s debut album, African Import, reflects her global experiences and those musical influences. She is preparing to launch a Global Tour; and her passion for education, politics, and helping those in need will be a major focus. She will use her music as a catalyst for social justice and economic empowerment, as well as supporting the United Nations in meeting their Sustainable Development goals.