Sphinx Organization

Our Vision and Mission: We transform lives through the power of the arts. What is Sphinx? The Sphinx Organization is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts and has reached more than 100 million people worldwide. Focused on increasing representation in classical music and celebrating excellence, Sphinx programs serve beginner students, seasoned classical music professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, and artistic administrators by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities. Based in Detroit, Michigan, with global reach, Sphinx envisions a day where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and learn classical music, where audiences reflect the people we see on our streets, and where leadership – on stage and off – includes all deserving voices. Our work transforms lives by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities. We are working toward a future in which our art form reflects our greater society. How Sphinx Started Sphinx began in 1997 as a singular initiative: the Sphinx Competition for young string players. The goal of founder, violinist Aaron P. Dworkin, was to identify, empower, and support talented young artists and prepare them for professional careers in classical music. How Sphinx Grew Over the past 27 years Sphinx has grown from a single program to a movement that promotes artistic excellence and inclusion across the sector, through the following elements: - year-round tuition-free education and creative youth development - performances and tours of 4 premiere ensembles and a robust roster of soloists - commissioning and performing new works by Black and Latino composers - administrative leadership, cultural innovation, and entrepreneurship programs - sector-wide partnerships with 300+ organizations to serve the field and bring programming to scale Sphinx is now led by Afa S. Dworkin, its long-time Artistic Director, who has been with the organization since its inception. Today, the Sphinx team is a collective of vibrant, talented leaders, including 11 full-time staff members, 50+ teaching artists and seasonal teams, and 1,200+ alumni.