Welcome to the Diverse Musicians’ Alliance (DiMA) at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!
Our mission is to cultivate a community that promotes diversity and inclusion at the College of Music by empowering underrepresented artists.
Learn more about the college’s commitment to diversity, equity + inclusion (DEI) and feel free to reach out to DiMA Staff Advisor Alexis McClain. Office hours (subject to change): Tuesdays 2:30-4:30 p.m. and Fridays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in S111B.
About DiMA
Established in 2004, DiMA promotes the diversity of music, ideas and underrepresented identities at the College of Music. As a program under the CU Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, Diversity (LEAD) Alliance, we are committed to implementing diverse music and supporting musicians, composers and musicologists of varying backgrounds. DiMA builds community and empowers students through leadership, academic mentorship, scholarships, personal links to faculty and staff, and community service opportunities. Additionally, DiMA advances diversity and educational excellence through access for underrepresented and first-generation students.
Participation in the group requires students to maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or higher; students holding the minimum GPA are expected to improve it each semester. As a member of the CU LEAD program, DiMA students may leverage free tutoring to assist them in their studies and GPA improvement.
Students in the organization may also apply for a $2,000 annual grant through the CU LEAD program; grants are awarded based on financial need, academic merit and group participation.
Become a member
Membership in DiMA is open to all students, including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Members work cooperatively throughout the academic year, producing an annual concert performing music reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the group membership; and supporting one another, attending several performances of members of the group.
Faculty advisor
Professor of Piano Pedagogy Alejandro Cremaschi, member of the college’s Diversity Committee.
Activities
The DiMA group organizes an annual event featuring music from different traditions, cultures and ethnicities. Past concerts have feature a wide range of music such as Celtic fiddling, Mongolian throat singing, Argentine tango, tap dancing and more. Most recently, DiMA invited performers of music, dance, poetry, visual art/photography and other forms of art to participate in “Atlas”—a show featuring diverse voices, food and art forms, open to all genres and majors; and on Feb. 22, 2023, we’ll present our annual Persevering Legacy concert featuring our students performing music by women composers, including those from historically marginalized groups.
DiMA also hosts bi-weekly coffee hours focused on a variety of topics across all forms of diversity, including race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, first-generation student status, ability, etc. ... and how these have an impact on representation within various careers in music. These gatherings foster a space for deep discussions, guest speakers and learning from one another to grow and gain confidence in being a part of these conversations.
Join us!
- DiMA coffee hours + guest speakers, 9:30-10:30 a.m., S101
- On Feb. 3, meet El Sistema Colorado’s Executive Director and CU Boulder alumna Ingrid Larragoity-Martin!
- Persevering Legacy concert, Feb. 22, 2023, 7:30 p.m., Grusin Music Hall
- On March 17—as part of our Sixth Distinguished Lectureship in Music, Diversity, Equity + Inclusion with André de Quadros—join us at our usual time to meet Quadros, a conductor, ethnomusicologist, music educator, writer and human rights activist who has conducted and undertaken research in 40+ countries.
- Check out other DEI activities + events