Employment

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Lead the Next Chapter of Cantabile Youth Singers – Executive Director Opportunity  

 

Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley is seeking a collaborative, relationship-driven nonprofit executive  to serve as its next Executive Director. Under the artistic leadership of Elena Sharkova, Cantabile has earned an international reputation for artistic excellence, adventurous programming, and innovative youth  music education. More than 180 singers, ages 6 to 18, receive exceptional vocal and musical training while  developing confidence, leadership, and a lasting sense of community.  

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Cantabile has commissioned and premiered more than twenty new works since 2014, toured internationally,  and will perform a major commission at Carnegie Hall in 2027. The next Executive Director will partner with  the Artistic Director and Board to bring the Cantabile experience to more young people and families, grow  philanthropic support, and build new relationships throughout the community. 

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Cantabile has an operating budget of approximately $1 million (70% earned revenue, 30% contributed revenue). The hiring range starts at $125,000 plus a performance-based bonus and a competitive benefits  package. The anticipated start date is late 2026. Contact segunning@devosinstitute.net to apply.

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Who Are We

Cantabile Youth Singers provides premier music education, vocal training, performance opportunities, and leadership development for young people throughout Silicon Valley and Northern California. Founded in  1994 by Signe Boyer and led by Artistic Director Elena Sharkova since 2004, Cantabile offers an innovative  music curriculum and artistically accomplished, emotionally resonant concerts that cross musical  boundaries. 

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Cantabile’s Board and staff have recently invested in strengthening the organization’s capacity by  streamlining internal processes and establishing priorities to support its long-term sustainability. In March  2026, Cantabile celebrated its 32nd anniversary with a sold-out gala concert. In June 2026, Cantabile’s top  choirs toured England with concerts in London, Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Barnsley. In fall 2026,  Cantabile welcomed a new Associate Conductor, who will work in partnership with Sharkova to continue its  rich musical tradition. The Board is actively working to expand from seven to nine members by 2027.  Cantabile is seeking a collaborative, relationship-driven leader who can build on this momentum, partner  closely with its artistic and Board leadership, and guide the organization into its next chapter. 

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Cantabile’s Approach

Cantabile currently serves 180 singers, ages 6 to 18, across six performing choirs  and three levels of preparatory classes. Its distinctive program includes choral singing and solo voice  coaching, stage presence training, and a graduated music theory curriculum, enhanced by mindfulness and  yoga, choreography and improvised movement, and an appreciation for diverse cultures, languages, and  artistic traditions. Through joyful and creative learning, Cantabile fosters musicianship, leadership, self discipline, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. 

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Performance, Tour, and Leadership Opportunities

Each year, Cantabile singers appear with local  professional arts organizations, including San Jose Symphony and Chorale, Opera San Jose, and New  Ballet. They have also performed with prominent ensembles and artists, including Kronos Quartet,  Conspirare, and composer Joe Hisaishi. In 2015, Cantabile was the first youth chorus in the country to  establish its own student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association to offer mentorship and  leadership opportunities for advanced students. Each year, ten or more students are engaged in musical,  social, and administrative assistantships. Cantabile graduates attend prestigious collegiate programs, and  many continue to sing with leading a cappella groups and university choirs.

 

Commissioning

Cantabile’s commitment to promoting new choral music for young singers was the driving  force behind the creation of a New Music Commission Fund in 2014. Since then, Cantabile has  commissioned and premiered more than twenty choral compositions by Jocelyn Hagen, Sarah Quartel, Will  Todd, Tim Sharp, Andrea Ramsey, Stephen Hatfield, Eric Tuan, and Tom Shelton, among others. In 2020,  Cantabile was awarded the Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in recognition  of its dedication to fostering and promoting new music. In June 2025, Cantabile presented the world  premiere of We Are the Garden by Jocelyn Hagen at Bing Concert Hall, a large-scale collaborative work  celebrating youth voices, environmental stewardship, and community connection that will be performed at  Carnegie Hall in June 2027.  

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Community

Cantabile Youth Singers reflects the diverse community of Silicon Valley and includes students  from over three dozen cultural origins. Cantabile views its diversity as a wealth of shared experience upon  which to build empathy and appreciation for others; it regularly performs music that directly addresses  relevant issues of social justice and empowers young people to engage in musical activism, leading with  the notion that “people who make music together cannot be enemies.”  

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Who Are You 

• A grounded and entrepreneurial business leader. The Executive Director will bring relevant  nonprofit management experience that has prepared them to lead enrollment growth, fundraising,  financial management, and organizational planning at an organization of this size. They will be a  strategic, organized, and financially disciplined leader eager to develop new approaches that  diversify revenue and support Cantabile’s continued growth. 

• An outgoing relationship builder passionate about youth programming. The Executive  Director will be an enthusiastic spokesperson for Cantabile’s exceptional artistic training and its  impact on young people. By building relationships with teachers, schools, music professionals,  community partners, parents, and alumni, they will increase Cantabile’s visibility and enrollment  throughout Silicon Valley. 

• A trusted Board partner. The Executive Director will bring direct or transferable experience  working with nonprofit Boards, engaging current members, welcoming new community leaders,  and communicating financial and organizational information clearly.

 

Responsibilities 

• Serve as a trusted partner and collaborator with the Artistic Director to ensure alignment among artistic ambition, organizational capacity, and long-term sustainability. 

• Represent Cantabile throughout Silicon Valley, cultivating relationships with prospective singers  and families, community partners, donors, and potential Board members. In coordination with the  Artistic Director, serve as a spokesperson for Cantabile within the arts and education sectors and  with the press. 

• Lead marketing and communications efforts that increase Cantabile’s visibility and reputation,  communicate its distinctive approach, and support enrollment, fundraising, and Board  engagement. Develop and implement strategies to maintain and increase enrollment, including  outreach to schools, teachers, music educators, and community music programs. 

• Lead Cantabile’s annual and special-event fundraising efforts, with a primary focus on individual  donors. Manage donor relationships and partner with Board members to strengthen Cantabile’s  case for support. 

• Work closely with Cantabile’s Board to deepen engagement, recruit and onboard new members,  and equip Board members to serve as ambassadors, fundraisers, and strategic partners to  ensure Cantabile’s continued success. Establish concise, regular reporting that keeps the Board  informed about Cantabile’s financial health, organizational performance, and strategic priorities. 

• Provide responsible and disciplined financial leadership. Manage budgets, cash flow, and  financial reporting, and track financial and organizational metrics to support reliable multiyear  planning. 

• Provide supportive leadership to staff, ensuring that Cantabile has the capacity to deliver an  exceptional experience for singers and families. Oversee efficient, practical internal operations  that offer excellent customer service and make effective use of technology. 

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Who the Executive Director Will Work With

The Executive Director and Artistic Director report to the Board of Directors and work in close partnership  with one another in service of Cantabile’s mission and artistic vision. The Executive Director’s direct reports  include two full-time staff members (a Program & Communications Coordinator and an Operations  Manager), as well as external administrative contractors currently supporting finance and development.  The Operations Manager role is currently filled on an interim basis. The incoming Executive Director will  have the opportunity to hire for the permanent position, shaping the role to complement their skill set and  Cantabile’s needs. The artistic team reports to the Artistic Director and includes conductors/educators (two  full-time and two part-time) and part-time accompanists. 

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Qualifications 

• Demonstrated nonprofit management experience as an Executive Director or in a comparable  public-facing leadership role, with relevant experience across Board partnership, marketing and  enrollment, fundraising, and financial management. 

• Willingness to relocate within commuting distance of Silicon Valley, if not already based in the  region, and to spend significant time building community relationships. 

• Grounded demeanor with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting  relationships. High integrity and ethical standards. 

• Experience with and passion for youth-serving programming, ideally including responsibility for  marketing and enrollment. 

• Experience leading individual giving and special-event fundraising in partnership with the Board.

• Candidates who meet most, but not all, qualifications and bring relevant transferable experience  are invited to apply. 

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.