Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic Selects Alyssa Burno As Education and Events Coordinator

Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic (PS Phil) is proud to announce that they have named Alyssa Burno as the Education and Events Coordinator.

“In creating the position of Education and Events Coordinator, PS Phil is looking to expand, support, and financially boost music programs in the Desert Sands, Palm Springs, and Coachella Valley School Districts, as well as private schools. This last year, the Board of Directors distributed $100,000 in grants, to boost programs, purchase instruments and engage and inspire students. Alyssa will be our conduit to music teachers and students alike to have a long-lasting impact on these programs,” Lee Mills, Executive Director, PS Phil.

Alyssa Burno’s journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to music, education, and community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Western Illinois University and has a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. Over the past seven years, she has served as a teacher, program manager, and curriculum lead in diverse school communities across Illinois and Missouri.

Most recently, she was the Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Curriculum Lead with Kansas City Public Schools, where she designed district-wide music curriculum, facilitated professional development for educators, and integrated social-emotional learning and culturally responsive practices into arts instruction.

Prior to that, she led choir and general music programs in both suburban and urban districts, directed extracurricular ensembles, and developed innovative after-school and summer programming to expand student access to the arts.

Beyond instruction, her professional experience includes leadership in curriculum design, program management, and equity-driven initiatives. She has taught DEI-focused workshops, developed social justice-themed curriculum units, and partnered with student leadership groups to create inclusive programming that reflects and celebrates diverse cultural perspectives. This work has reaffirmed her belief that music is not only a form of artistic expression, but also a vital tool for building community, fostering empathy, and empowering young people to find their voices.

“I am excited to channel this passion into strengthening the Philharmonic’s educational outreach. This year, our initiatives will focus on bringing meaningful, hands-on musical experiences to elementary students in grades 3–5, bridging classroom instruction with live concert performances and interactive workshops led by professional musicians. We are also working to expand scholarship opportunities and increase access to performances, ensuring that students across the valley—regardless of background or resources—can benefit from the transformative power of live music, said Alyssa.

Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic (PS Phil) is one of the world’s premiere concert presenters of classical music providing an annual series of internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra performances to the Coachella Valley. PS Phil also fosters music appreciation for local youth and encourages promising young musicians through scholarships, education and instrument
donation programs.