Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley - Executive Director

Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley (www.cantabile.org) invites interest from leaders passionate about the arts and youth programming to serve as its next Executive Director.  

WHO ARE WE?

Cantabile Youth Singers provides world-class vocal music instruction and performance opportunities for youth ages 6 to 18 in a supportive, enriching choral community that fosters the innate beauty, talent, and individual freedom of expression within each singer. Founded in 1994, Cantabile has been led artistically by Russian-American conductor and music educator Elena Sharkova since 2004. Artists. Scholars. Leaders. Friends. These four concepts are at the center of Cantabile’s program, which serves students of all genders and gender identities.

Explore Cantabile’s Work

LISTEN: Sound Cloud

PRESS: SF Classical Voice - Cantabile 30th Anniversary Cantabile a Winner at European Choir Games 

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WATCH: Get to Know Cantabile Youth Singers What is your favorite thing about Cantabile?

Cantabile’s distinctiveness in the region is delivered through its challenging, global repertoire; high caliber performance and engagement opportunities; and its unique curriculum. Its holistic approach to choral education forges vocal artistry, music theory and history; movement and mindfulness; and leadership development. Students engage with works across multiple languages and cultures, studying the historical, cultural, and musical significance of every work performed; incorporate movement work that engages the full mind and body in the art of singing and promotes community; engage in weekly high-level music theory classes (age appropriate); and have extensive opportunities for student leadership. (An average Cantabile season includes works in 8-10 different languages; a performing student who participates for four years experiences music from 20-25 distinct cultures and multiple genres.) Cantabile top choirs tour internationally every year and have given stand-alone concerts in fifteen countries and musical landmarks such as the Berliner Philharmonie, Notre Dame de Paris, Carnegie Hall, St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, Glinka Kapella in St. Petersburg, Montserrat Abbey, Wells Cathedral and St. Martin-in-the-fields, among others. It performs with professional and collegiate partners regularly including Symphony San Jose & Chorale, Opera San Jose, New Ballet, Stanford Symphony, and Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, among others. The result is artistic training among the highest levels delivered in a supportive community. 

Since 2023, Cantabile has increased enrollment by approximately 20 percent (primarily in the Training Division) and welcomed new faculty and staff. Most recent collaborations include performances with the Symphony San Jose’ & Chorale’s Holiday Spectacular and San Jose Opera’s The Magic Flute and La Bohème. Cantabile hosted the St. Catherine’s Girls’ Choir from Cambridge and have been invited to visit Cambridge next summer. The Avanti choir will be touring to Denver’s Mile High Choir Festival. Cantabile was featured at the Stanford Live Concert Series at Bing Concert Hall on June 8 with a premiere of its latest commission, a multi-movement composition by Jocelyn Hagen, We Are the Garden. Maestra Sharkova frequently leads professional ensembles, and recently conducted the BBC Singers, Seraphic Fire, and Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble. 

“What I want for my students, and I know they are doing it already, is to listen to their own voice, listen to the unique song that they have in their heart and most importantly hear the songs of others.” 

– Elena Sharkova, Artistic Director

“Cantabile is much more than ‘club choir.’ We are a group of musical enthusiasts, ambitious artists, and a community that thrives in cultural collaboration and appreciation. From performing unique Indonesian choreographies to blending with German vocalists, my experience in Cantabile has played a crucial role in widening my global perspective and instilling my fascination with international cultures. We truly care about the origin of our pieces and carrying that essence throughout every performance. It is truly a special moment when everyone comes together in harmony.” – Cantabile Graduate

Cantabile Youth Singers reflect the diverse community of Silicon Valley and include 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.”

Cantabile’s work has been recognized with gold medals at the 5th European Choir Games as well as the Award for Adventurous Programming from ASCAP / Chorus America, given to choirs who show outstanding commitment to commissioning new music. It is the only youth chorus in the country to have its own student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association; and graduates attend prestigious collegiate programs, many of whom continue to sing at the club or major level. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Since 2018, Elena Sharkova has been leading the organization’s artistic and management strategy in the dual leadership role of Artistic and Managing Director. Sharkova and the Board envision a rich future of expanded impact that will be led by strong organizational management and professional operations of the highest standard. To allow the organization to flourish, Sharkova and the Board are separating the artistic and management portfolios and investing in an experienced Executive Director. From 2024 to 2025, Cantabile Youth Singers completed a full professional human resources audit and created new committees of the board dedicated to technology and benefits. The current Board is six members and the goal is to expand to 9 members by 2026. 

What Cantabile is looking for in its Executive Director

• An entrepreneurial and strategic business leader. The Executive Director will bring a personal drive to develop long-term strategies that focus on the organization’s health and sustainability. They will be responsible for fundraising and board development efforts and supervise the day-to-day operations.

• A self-starter with strong interpersonal skills. The Executive Director will be a grounded, proactive individual who will partner with the Artistic Director and the Board to drive artistic ambition, human resource capacity, and financial & operational practicality. They will support and mentor Cantabile’s committed professional staff.

• An outgoing relationship builder who is passionate about youth programming. The Executive Director will be enthusiastic to champion the value of vocal music and youth choral singing to parents, students, donors, and partners. They will bring a high cultural and emotional intelligence that allows them to build authentic relationships with diverse groups. They will seek out new and sustained methods to spread Cantabile’s message throughout Silicon Valley.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted partner and collaborator with the Artistic Director, operationalizing their vision and producing the organizational structures and resources to achieve it. Lead the development and implementation of Cantabile’s strategic trajectory, supporting alignment and accountability among stakeholders and constituencies.
• Provide responsible, disciplined financial leadership—balancing organizational sustainability with artistic risk-taking and ensuring the proper resources for long-term planning.
• Oversee the Director of Operations and supervise the development of lean and practical internal operations that deliver high customer service and leverage technology.
• Lead Cantabile’s organizational marketing effort that increases the organization’s visibility, reputation and profile; communicates its distinctive approach; and lays the groundwork for enrollment, fundraising, and board engagement efforts below. Leveredge digital marketing and social media. Develop diversified strategies to maintain and increase enrollment.
• Lead Cantabile’s fundraising efforts. Structure effective fundraising processes, serve as the relationship manager for donors, and partner with the Board in these efforts.
• Support the Board of Directors in their effort to grow opportunities for board member engagement and expand the Board.
• Provide supportive, collaborative leadership to the staff, ensuring the organization has the necessary human resource capacity to support its growth and deliver an exceptional experience.
• Represent Cantabile within the professional arts & education field and to the press, in coordination with the Artistic Director who also serves as an organizational spokesperson. Represent Cantabile throughout the region’s communities, proactively seeking opportunities.

Who you’ll be working with

The Executive Director and Artistic Director dually report to the Board of Directors (currently four members) and work in close partnership with one another, in service of the Artistic Director’s vision. 

The Executive Director’s direct reports include two full-time staff (Director of Operations and Program & Communications Coordinator) as well as external administrative contractors (currently supporting finance and development). The Artistic team reports to the Artistic Director and includes Conductors/ Educators (two full-time and two part-time) and part-time accompanists. 

Cantabile’s operating budget is approximately $1,000,000, averaging 70-80 percent attributable to earned income and 20-30 percent attributable to contributed income.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible management experience in the nonprofit sector. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and advance long-term organizational strategies while overseeing day-to-day operations.
• Experience directing, supporting, and mentoring a professional staff or team.
• Grounded demeanor with exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak persuasively about Cantabile’s mission and programs and build trusting relationships.
• Experience in youth-serving programming, education, and/or performing arts valued. Passion for supporting youth-serving programming.
• Experience with marketing and enrollment efforts, in a youth-serving context valued.
• Experience in fundraising, with experience with individual donors and special events a plus.
• High integrity and ethical standards.
• If not already based within commuting distance of Silicon Valley, willing to relocate and spend time building relationships in the vibrant community. 

Leaders with some, but not all, qualifications and bring transferable experience are invited to apply, as well as leaders with similar arts/music education experience.

How to Apply

This search is being facilitated by Syrah Gunning, Senior Consultant, Executive Search & Development of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management, a leading provider of arts management services, training and thought leadership for arts, cultural, and educational sectors worldwide. Learn more here.

To apply, please upload your resume and answer the following brief questions online here: 

• Why are you interested in this position at this point in your career? What interests you most about Cantabile’s programs and trajectory? 
• Please briefly describe your experience leading a professional nonprofit organization and team. 
• Please briefly describe how you have leveraged technology, digital tools, or AI to enhance marketing and fundraising efforts and/or increase overall organizational efficiency.
• Please describe your approach to management. How would those who work for you describe you as a leader? How have you partnered with artistic directors or programming leaders in past positions?

If you have questions or require accommodation of any kind throughout the process, please email Syrah Gunning at [email protected].