Non-Profit House of Blues Music Forward Foundation Appoints New Executive Director to Lead Youth Music Industry Programs

House of Blues Music Forward Foundation (Music Forward) today announced that Nurit Siegel Smith has joined the organization as its next Executive Director. Smith assumes leadership as Music Forward embarks on its 25th year as one of the nation's leading nonprofits creating opportunities for youth in the music industry.

Since its foundation in 1993, House of Blues Music Forward Foundation has impacted over 1,000,000 young lives and invested $25 million towards providing transformational music opportunities to youth from under-represented communities. Each year, the organization invests $1,000,000 towards its programs, with the ultimate goal of creating a more vibrant and diverse music industry. Music Forward has a variety of marquee initiatives, ranging from performance opportunities, to job shadowing, scholarships, and more. To facilitate these programs, Music Forward activates its network, including skilled volunteer music industry professionals and executives, as well as over 450 partner schools, nonprofits, and companies. Together, these groups bridge opportunity between community and industry to shape tomorrow's innovators and leaders.

One of Music Forward's biggest supporters is Live Nation Entertainment, the world's leading live entertainment company. Live Nation provides support to the charity through House of Blues revenue streams including Foundation Room member donations, as well as restaurant and retail items designated specifically to benefit the foundation. Live Nation also provides the nonprofit with organizational infrastructure which is critical to ensure that the charity invests a majority of every dollar raised directly into programs for under-represented youth.

"I couldn't be more honored and delighted to lead Music Forward Foundation as we continue to empower and inspire young people to reach their highest potential through career opportunities in the music industry both on and off the stage," said Smith. "We help young people turn their passions into professions, which also creates opportunity for the industry to reinvigorate its workforce with a new, vibrant and diverse generation of leaders."

Smith's background uniquely positions her to lead the 25-year old organization. She comes to Music Forward after serving nearly four years as Deputy Director at Grand Performances, a nationally recognized cultural and performing arts organization in Los Angeles, where she led efforts to build organizational infrastructure, implement strategic priorities and activate purposeful partnerships. She has extensive experience in arts and entertainment social sectors and has held positions within organizations including Blue Man Group and Highways Performance Space. Smith also spent over a decade at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, where she served as Director of Education and Director of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Partnerships.

"The Board set out to find a leader with the vision to propel the organization to its next level during this exciting time," said Ron Bension, President of House of Blues Entertainment and Board President of Music Forward. "Nurit's career aligns perfectly with Music Forward's mission, and she is a proven leader who brings powerful value to this role. Her strategic thinking, energy, and ingenuity in creating high impact opportunities will add tremendous value to the organization's future and we are thrilled to have her on board."

Smith is a UC Berkeley grad and her work as a performer and creator has been seen on TV and film and on stages across the country. Additionally, she holds a Certificate for Nonprofit Management from the Center of Nonprofit Management and is a member of the first cohort of the University of Southern California (USC)/Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) Leadership Fellows Program.

Music Forward is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating leadership skills for youth using music as the bridge to success. Focusing on young people ages 12-22 in underserved communities, we set the stage for success by providing workshops and showcases to kick-start musical careers, and inspire the next generation of music industry leaders. Learn more at www.hobmusicforward.org.

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