About Us

Glissando Music and Arts Foundation is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to presenting exceptional performances, fostering emerging talent, and creating meaningful opportunities for artistic discovery and education. Through concerts, festivals, competitions, educational programs, and special initiatives, Glissando brings together distinguished international artists and the next generation of young musicians.

Our name comes from the musical term glissando, derived from the French glisser — “to glide.” In music, it describes the movement from one note to another, connecting individual sounds into a continuous gesture. That idea of connection lies at the heart of our mission.

Glissando builds bridges between artists and audiences, tradition and innovation, and established performers and emerging talent. We bring together diverse artistic perspectives while creating opportunities for exceptional young musicians to perform, learn, and share their artistry with the public.

Education and accessibility are central to our work. Through masterclasses, youth programs, competitions, free community events, and other educational initiatives, we seek to make meaningful artistic experiences accessible to wider audiences while encouraging young musicians to develop their talent, artistic identity, and ambition.

Glissando has collaborated with distinguished artists from around the world while continuing to discover and support compelling new voices. Together, our artists, educators, partners, and audiences form an international artistic community united by a belief in the enduring power of music and the arts.

Our mission

Glissando enriches lives through music and the arts by connecting exceptional artists and audiences through performance, education, and creative collaboration.

We accomplish this mission by:

  • Presenting inspiring performances and artistic experiences of the highest quality

  • Creating meaningful performance and educational opportunities for emerging artists

  • Connecting established international performers with young musicians and new audiences

  • Encouraging artistic discovery through masterclasses, competitions, festivals, recordings, and collaborative initiatives

  • Expanding access to music and the arts through community and educational programs

We believe that artistic excellence and accessibility belong together. Glissando welcomes people of all backgrounds and seeks to create an environment where artists and audiences can exchange ideas, discover new perspectives, and experience the transformative power of the arts.

Since its founding, Glissando has reached thousands of audience members and students through performances, educational programs, competitions, and artistic collaborations. As the organization continues to grow, our commitment remains the same: to create opportunities for exceptional artistry to be discovered, developed, and shared.

Glissando is organized exclusively for public, charitable, and educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Non-discrimination policy: the officers, directors, committee members, employees, students, and persons served by the corporation shall be selected entirely on a nondiscriminatory basis with respect to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation. It is the policy of Glissando not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, veteran’s status, political service or affiliation, color, religion, or national origin. Glissando educational and performance projects admit participants and students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the programs, activities, rights, and privileges generally accorded or made available. Glissando doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and any other Glissando-administered programs.