PROJECT STEP ANNOUNCES ÉLIDER DIPAULA AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DiPaula, a Brazilian-born arts leader, educator, composer, and pianist, will focus on amplifying students’ voices, advocating for the holistic development of young musicians, and advancing systemic change in classical music
BOSTON – November 24, 2025 – Project STEP, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity in classical music by providing comprehensive string education to underrepresented youth, is proud to announce its new Executive Director, Élider DiPaula, a Brazilian-born arts leader, educator, composer, and performer whose work centers on equity and excellence in classical music.
Praised by the Chicago Tribune as a “highly personable, exceptionally talented pianist,” DiPaula’s artistic and educational philosophy centers on the belief that music is a transformative force with the power to bridge cultural divides, cultivate emotional depth, and spark intellectual curiosity. As Executive Director of Project STEP, DiPaula will continue his and Project STEP’s collective mission to elevate underrepresented young musicians and advocate for their holistic development, emphasizing both artistic rigor and personal growth.
“Project STEP doesn’t just celebrate excellence; we’re redefining who gets to be excellent,” said DiPaula. “I’m here to ensure that every young musician, regardless of background, claims their rightful place in the classical music world.”
DiPaula joins Project STEP from Project 88 Music Academy, where he served as Executive Director and Artistic Director after founding it in 2018. Under his leadership, the academy presented 88 concerts featuring Grammy-winning artists and the first American finalist in the Chopin International Piano Competition, and its students earned state and international honors, including the Gold Medal at the 11th Sandakan International Piano Competition in 2025.
As a producer and performer, DiPaula has curated more than 100 concerts featuring artists from 17 countries, with coverage in major Chicago publications. A national piano-competition winner at age seven, he later performed with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Goiás, received a national commission from Goiânia Música Hoje, and directed Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale.
DiPaula trained in Brazil and the U.S., holding degrees from the Universidade Federal de Goiás, James Madison University, and the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where he later became Advisory Board Chair. His leadership and advocacy have been recognized with awards from Roosevelt University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts, as well as a 2025 nomination for the American Red Cross Hero of Education Award.
“We are thrilled to welcome Élider as our new Executive Director,” said Elisa Pepe, President of the Board of Directors for Project STEP. “Élider not only embodies all the qualities we would want in a leader for our young musicians but is a talented musician who has dedicated his life to our similar mission of changing the face of classical music by creating opportunities for underrepresented students.”
