Growing Impact Through Collaboration
Community-Embedded Musicians
Community-Embedded Musicians (CEMs) form the foundation of an array of vibrant programs that support thriving music education in Houston-area schools and provide access to meaningful arts experiences through strong community partnerships.
CEM Teaching Artists Rainel Joubert, Lindsey Baggett, David Connor, and CEM Fellow Christian Harvey perform as part of the Dementia Center Performance Series at Amazing Place
CEM Teaching Artist Rainel Joubert leads a classroom visit with pre-K children through our Early Childhood partnership with the Prelude Music Foundation
CEM Teaching Artist David Connor leads an interactive visit as part of our High School Residency with the Carver High School orchestra
CEM Teaching Artist Rainel Joubert leads a Hospital Bedside Visit performance at MD Anderson Cancer Center
CEM Education Specialist Julissa Chapa leads an afterschool music class with DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony students
Lead CEM Lindsey Baggett instructs violin students in the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus En Armonia program.
CEM Teaching Artist Lucinda Chiu supports violin students in the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus En Armonia program.
Lead CEM Lindsey Baggett leads DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony students performing at a PNC Family Concert.
CEMs Rainel Joubert and Lindsey Baggett and CEM Fellow Christian Harvey perform for Lyons Elementary band students following their attendance at an Upper Elementary Concert.
History of the CEM Initiative
Launched in 2015, the Houston Symphony’s Community-Embedded Musicians (CEM) initiative was, and continues to be, a groundbreaking program—the first of its kind in the industry. Designed to address key needs in the Houston community, the initiative began with four full-time hybrid performing and teaching roles, bridging the gap between concert hall performances and tailored programming with community partners.
These musicians were carefully selected in collaboration with the orchestra for their exceptional artistry, as well as their strong community engagement skills. Alongside performing with the Houston Symphony in select concerts, these musicians were instrumental in developing and implementing the Symphony’s aspirational education and community engagement programs.
CEM Teaching Artists Rainel Joubert, Lindsey Baggett, David Connor, and CEM Fellow Christian Harvey perform as part of the Dementia Center Performance Series at Amazing Place
CEM Teaching Artist Rainel Joubert leads a classroom visit with pre-K children through our Early Childhood partnership with the Prelude Music Foundation
CEM Teaching Artist David Connor leads an interactive visit as part of our High School Residency with the Carver High School orchestra
CEM Teaching Artist Rainel Joubert leads a Hospital Bedside Visit performance at MD Anderson Cancer Center
CEM Education Specialist Julissa Chapa leads an afterschool music class with DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony students
Lead CEM Lindsey Baggett instructs violin students in the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus En Armonia program.
CEM Teaching Artist Lucinda Chiu supports violin students in the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus En Armonia program.
Lead CEM Lindsey Baggett leads DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony students performing at a PNC Family Concert.
CEMs Rainel Joubert and Lindsey Baggett and CEM Fellow Christian Harvey perform for Lyons Elementary band students following their attendance at an Upper Elementary Concert.
Since its inception, the CEM initiative has expanded to include both full-time and part-time roles, leveraging the expertise of CEMs to include substitute orchestra musicians, as well as teaching artists and music education specialists. This broader skillset of CEMs, along with many of our orchestra musicians who have recently become involved in specialized areas of work, has allowed the Symphony to maximize the breadth and depth of its service to the diverse communities of Houston. More than 60% of the orchestra voluntarily participates in Education and Community Engagement initiatives, contributing to nearly half of the 500+ events held each season. The success of partnerships established by the CEMs has inspired many Houston Symphony musicians to specialize in this work , including hospital visits, dementia center performances, and multi-visit school partnerships.
CEMs have established key partnerships central to the Symphony’s mission, including:
Mentoring the Next Generation
In partnership with the Shepherd School of Music, the Community-Embedded Musicians also mentor graduate students through the Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Fellowship program. This collaboration equips aspiring musicians with the skills needed to engage and inspire communities, ensuring the legacy of this groundbreaking initiative continues to grow.
Community-Embedded Musicians (CEM)
Lindsey Baggett
Lead CEM
Cindy Ahn
CEM Teaching Artist
Julissa Chapa
CEM Education Specialist
Lucinda Chiu
CEM Teaching Artist
David Connor
CEM Teaching Artist
Christian Harvey
CEM Fellow, Shepherd School of Music
Rainel Joubert
CEM Teaching Artist
Alexis Mitrushi
CEM Teaching Artist