Sphinx Organization Honored at the American String Teachers Association National Conference

The non-profit received ASTA's inaugural Outstanding Service Organization Award

Detroit's Sphinx Organization is the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Service Organization Award, given by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) at their national conference.

The conference will take place between May 15 and 18 in Orlando, Florida. The award was made by Karin S. Hendricks, ASTA's president-elect, who noted that the Sphinx Organization "strengthens our profession and shares our vision for string education, teaching and learning."

"We’re incredibly honored to receive this inaugural award," said Ana Abrantes, the Director of Education at Sphinx.

"We are based in Detroit but have a national reach, and envision a day where the face of classical music reflects our communities, and we dream that every kid will have the opportunity to express themselves through music."

Founded by Aaron P. Dworkin in 1996, the Sphinx Organization is a non-profit group that seeks to aid in developing and supporting Black and Latinx classical musicians. The organization's original flagship program is the Sphinx Competition, which offers more than $100,000 worth of prize money to young Black and Latinx string players.

The organization now also offers a range of outreach programs, and has generated six ensembles — including larger groups such as the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and chamber groups such as the Catalyst Quartet and Harlem Quartet.