Project STEP Announces Josefina Leonor Guzmán Pérez as Interim Artistic Director
“Since 2023, I have had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Ian Saunders (former Artistic Director) to champion equitable access to comprehensive music education and create meaningful opportunities for our students to grow as musicians and individuals. As we navigate this leadership transition, I am honored to serve as Interim Artistic Director of Project STEP. Our students’ education, development, and well-being will remain at the center of my work. I am excited to carry our season forward and advance Project STEP’s mission alongside our dedicated team.” – Josefina Leonor Guzmán Pérez
Josefina Leonor Guzmán Pérez is a violinist, arts administrator, and educator from the Dominican Republic. She has served as Project STEP’s Program and Communications Coordinator since 2003, before becoming Interim Artistic Director in 2026.
Nurturing her love for education, she previously was an Ensemble Director and Teaching Artist at the Boston Music Project, where she taught and led beginner elementary school string orchestras in Brighton. She also taught private lessons through the music extension program at Brookline Public Schools. In her role as Community Inclusion and Engagement Manager at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Josefina worked with the community to bring student performances to both new and familiar audiences, with the goal of building a stronger and more connected Berkshires community. She also led initiatives and affinity groups that supported students in exploring the work of historically underrepresented composers and communities in classical music.
As a performer, Josefina is an active member of the Boston Chamber Symphony and the Du Bois Orchestra, organizations whose missions align with her commitment to inclusive and community-centered music-making. Josefina’s musical ability has earned her recognition, most notably as the winner of the international BritchamDR Young Musician of the Caribbean Award in 2020. She has performed and studied at festivals across the United States, including the Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival, the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Kinhaven Young Artist Seminar.
At the heart of Josefina’s professional philosophy lies her belief in the transformative power of music. She is committed to creating meaningful experiences by sharing the joy of music with audiences, students, and communities. She holds music performance degrees from Boston University, Texas Christian University, and Florida State University. In 2022, she earned an Executive Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the Global Leaders Program.
