Naomi Gonzalez

NAOMI GONZALEZ, Vice President of Education & Community  Engagement at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, originally from Puerto Rico, is a known architect of building  out impactful arts education programs in the Philadelphia  region. Having started her career with 15 + years in the  classroom as a music/ orchestra teacher, Gonzalez uses her  experiences as an educator to inform her work as an arts administrator. 

Gonzalez is implementing the Mann Center’s new multi year strategic plan with community beneficiaries in West Philadelphia as the driving focus to create career training  opportunities, after school programs, summer programs, and festivals designed to expand over the years. Gonzalez brings to the Mann extensive knowledge in the development and oversight of community programs having served thousands of children. Gonzalez was previously the Manager of Collaboration and Access  with the Philadelphia Orchestra, where, since joining the Orchestra in 2016, has designed and  implemented local and national initiatives, produced large scale events with national partners such as  Carnegie Hall, the School District of Philadelphia, the Salvation Army, and created a week long Orchestra  residency with 30 community events throughout the city of Philadelphia. During her time with the  Philadelphia Orchestra, Gonzalez focused on creating opportunities and access to quality music  programs for children of all ages from the Philadelphia area, which included five local schools, launching  a fellowship program that served talented high school aged musicians from under represented  communities; a program that received national recognition and funding from major organizations.  

Prior to her administrative roles, Gonzalez served as Lead Teaching Artist at Play on Philly! (an El Systema inspired music OST program) for 5 years. In this role, Gonzalez oversaw the strings faculty and  curriculum alignment, as well as served as orchestra conductor for various ensembles. Gonzalez started  her education career in Chicago, where she specialized in teaching violin, viola and early childhood  music. Other career accomplishments include Gymboree Play and Music in Chicago IL as their Music and  Early Childhood Specialist. 

Gonzalez started her music career as a violinist performing with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra,  Civic Youth Orchestra in Chicago and as a sub for the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra among other  ensembles. Gonzalez received her BA degree in violin performance and music education from DePaul  University.