Shalisa Kline Ugaz

Shalisa Kline Ugaz joined the Music Institute of Chicago in July 2025, bringing more than two decades of experience as a senior executive, entrepreneur, and arts education leader across North America. A nationally recognized strategist known for organizational turnaround, revenue growth, and innovation, Ugaz has led complex institutions through periods of expansion, digital transformation, and increased community impact. Her work has consistently focused on strategic planning, expanding access to high-quality music education while building financially resilient, mission-driven organizations.
 
Prior to MIC, Ugaz served as Executive Vice President of Learning Systems and President and COO of RCM America for the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she led the organization’s revenue-generating and educational operations across the United States and Canada. Overseeing a $21 million annual portfolio, she guided strategic planning, digital learning, publishing, and business development while managing a large, geographically distributed workforce. During her tenure, she launched the Royal Conservatory’s first fully digital early childhood music education platform, Smart Start, securing millions in investment capital and establishing innovative partnerships that expanded the organization’s reach nationally and internationally. Ugaz also led the expansion of sales and distribution across North America and developed global partnerships in Asia, working with organizations including the United Nations, Grammy Museum, and international trade and education entities.
 
Previously, Ugaz served as Executive Vice President of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where she led a successful financial turnaround and oversaw significant growth in enrollment, earned revenue, and philanthropic support. She spearheaded a $10 million capital campaign, expanded financial aid and community-based programs, and guided the Conservatory’s rapid transition to digital delivery during the pandemic—ensuring continuity of instruction and access for thousands of learners. Under her leadership, the number of individuals served grew from 1,500 to more than 16,000, with a particular focus on early childhood education and partnerships in underserved communities.
 
Ugaz has also held senior leadership roles at Third Street Music School Settlement in New York and Merit School of Music in Chicago, where she led large-scale educational programs, faculty development, and strategic initiatives supporting institutional growth and community partnerships. She began her career as the Founder and Executive Director of Alegre Strings, a nonprofit organization providing violin instruction to students in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods—an experience that continues to shape her commitment to equity, access, and community connection.
 
Ugaz holds an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where she was also awarded the Drake Scholarship, recognizing women business leadership. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. A nationally sought-after speaker on organizational strategy, revenue generation, and community impact, she has been recognized by the Chicago Sun-Times as one of “50 People Who Make Chicago a Better Place.” A professional violinist, Ugaz remains deeply committed to MIC’s mission to nurture lifelong engagement with music through exceptional instruction, performance, and community partnerships.