Founder and Director

Building community through music, Arab-American cellist Annie Barley Givler (she/her) wears many hats within the music field. She is proud to be a portfolio career musician and relishes being part of so many different musical circles.

Annie most recently served as the Program Manager for Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY), a partnership of Philadelphia music education organizations united in the support of underserved student musicians wishing to pursue careers in the field. In her role at PMAY, Annie helped many young musicians gain acceptance into the best and brightest music programs in the world. PMAY students are currently studying at Curtis Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, The Colburn School, Cleveland Institute of Music, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Peabody Institute, Bard College Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and McGill University amongst many others. Annie is honored to have played a small part in their inspiring musical journeys.

As a performer, Annie is an incredibly versatile cellist, at home in a multitude of genres. She has performed all over the world in ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to Kanye West’s back-up band. Annie can be heard on Bridge, Cantaloupe, and New Amsterdam Records. 

As an educator, Annie specializes in culturally responsive music pedagogy. She is in high demand as a Suzuki cello teacher and clinician, frequently teaching and leading workshops all over the world.  Annie directs PRYSM Prep, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute’s entry-level string ensemble. She is now entering her 19th year in the school music classroom. Annie has had the distinct pleasure of working with students in public, independent, and charter school settings in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and abroad - building music programs from infancy to maturity. Currently, Annie serves on the faculties of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, The Shipley School, and is the active vice-president of the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association.

Annie lives in Bryn Mawr, just outside Philadelphia, with her amazing husband Harley, a professional French horn player and music educator, their three children - Amon, Dashiell, and Sumaya, and their dog, Arrow. She is a great cook, a sometimes quilter, a really fun dinner companion, an avid reader, an outdoor enthusiast, and a terrible roller skater.