2023-24 ACG Education Report
The 24-25 school year is underway. ACG is investing a million dollars in our education services this year. As you’ll read in the report below, ACG Education enriches the lives of thousands of young people and families in communities near and far. If you are inspired by this work we hope you will consider making a gift as part of our Fall Fund Drive. Click here to donate.
2023-24 was filled with important organizational milestones, beautiful individual moments, and progress toward our strategic goal of scaling our services nationwide. We are excited to share many points of light in this report, but we’d like to begin with our why:
Music education in school does great things for students, it’s been proven in decades of studies, and new data we’ll share in this report will underline just how powerful it can be.
Guitar is the world’s most popular instrument, and when programs are built with care and rigor, we can bring new and different students to these proven benefits on a massive scale.
When we learned that enrollment in our partner programs in Austin ISD surpassed both orchestra and choir district-wide, we asked ourselves: ‘What if we could do this in every major metro area in the nation?’
After 22 years building the resources, training protocols, and real-world applications of guitar program building, we believe we have the unique skills and knowledge to make a major positive change in American music education, which in turn will have a large-scale impact on tens of thousands of young people in the coming years.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE
Music is our medium for connection, and it’s through connection that we make positive change. The key to it all is our people. Classes and concerts can be safe and inspiring places for growth and belonging if the people involved bring care and wisdom to their approach.
Therefore, our most important and most significant investment has always been in the amazing and dedicated individuals who make up our team, and then radiate out our values through modeling and training.
In the past twelve months we’re ecstatic to have brought four very special people onto our team: Phil Swasey, Jordan Sanchez, Alex Lew, and Rey Rodriguez.
Phil Swasey joined us last summer as our Director of Curriculum and Partnerships. A thirteen-year veteran teacher, Phil now leads advancements in our technology and curriculum, especially GuitarCurriculum and our method books, and is laying the groundwork for scaling partnership. Jordan Sanchez joined us this summer as our Education Project Manager. With Five years of public school teaching experience, Jordan is already revolutionizing our approach to information management and customer service, adding critical components for responsible growth. Both graduates of ACG Education, Alex Lew and Rey Rodriguez have joined our Teaching Artist team working both with our community ensembles and individual lessons programming.
INVESTING IN GUITARCURRICULUM
Since 2008 GuitarCurriculum has been our primary engine at ACG Education. A first-of-its-kind classroom guitar teacher resource, GuitarCurriculum houses all of the music teachers actually use in the classroom, along with sequencing, audio and video resources, and a range of other support materials for teachers.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the release of a brand new GuitarCurriculum website in September 2024. A result of 6-months of work and investment, and years of dreaming and development, the new website provides superior performance for teachers, and superior data and customer service support for ACG.
NEW IMPACT DATA
In the past year we have been able to connect directly to an AISD student data reporting tool called eCST. eCST allows us to pull aggregate performance data about students in our programs across the district, and compare performance directly to non-guitarist peers matched by campus and demographic. This is a powerful new opportunity to view the impact of ACG education beyond the guitar classroom. Many studies of this nature are weakened because they compare students who self-select music instruction broadly with students who do not, allow a range of other socio-economic factors to come into play when comparing academic or behavioral performance. These problems are mitigated by these data, however, because of our ability with eCST to match students by campus and demographic, even when pulling information from many campuses.
Our new website will also include our first-ever student portal, filled with materials produced to engage our students and support out-of-school practice. Spanish language support materials, including tutorial videos, will launch with student portal as well, and a new Spanish-language method book is currently in production.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
While most of our development work is focused in the United States, occasionally we bet on particularly promising leaders elsewhere who we know will amplify our resources. Such is the case with Ravindra Paudyal in Nepal and Bosco Segawa in Uganda. With our assistance, Ravindra has developed beautiful classes for kids in central Kathmandu, and Bosco is now adding guitar as a central component in the orphanages he runs in Uganda where they just received our shipment of thirty guitars. We Hope you enjoy these videos.
NATIONAL SERVICE
In July 2024 we trained over one hundred teachers in three summits in Austin, Columbia (South Carolina), and St. Louis. That’s the most in one summer since before COVID. Our team also traveled and spoke at state music education conferences in Texas, South Carolina, New York, and Kentucky, and conducted or assisted with major district events in Loudoun County (Virginia), Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Denton Texas.
At every teacher summit our participants engage in three days of intense and joyful work improving their skills as educators and artists. As part of the training experience, they also make beautiful music together whether they’ve played guitar their whole lives, or are picking one up for the first time on day one of the summit! We do this because we’re all about making beautiful music with everyone, and we do this because frequently in public schools teachers must accommodate students at different skill levels in the same room at the same time. We hope you enjoy this beautiful performance of GuitarCurriculum repertoire from our South Carolina 2024 summit.
CENTRAL TEXAS SERVICE
With programs now in almost every Austin ISD school, and partners in San Marcos, Manor, Hutto, and San Antonio, this region is by far our largest service area. We are thrilled to report new middle school programs developing in both Hutto and San Marcos this year. With this many programs (60+) and national teacher turnover trends rising, we are extremely busy training and supporting all of the new teachers walking into guitar classes for the first time this fall. Their readiness translates directly into the quality of student experience with music, and we want to get it right.
For twenty-three years we have been investing in free individual lessons for students who would not otherwise be able to afford them. This is a transformative program, and many of the ‘full-circle’ stories we’ve shared over the years–students graduating and later returning as professionals to work with us–directly relate to this program. We increased our investment in free lessons from $50,000 to $80,000 from 2023 to 2024, grew the number of contract teaching artists from 13 to 16, and increased the number of students served from 52 to 77.
June 2024 saw our first ACG Summer Camp, a scholarship-assisted experience at our Rosette headquarters. This camp provided twenty students from across our community with a supportive and creative summer focused on music. Throughout the camp, students engaged in large and small ensemble work, collaborating daily to prepare a beautiful program of music to share with friends and family. Six exceptional artists joined the campers, offering performances, masterclasses, and interactive workshops, including sessions on composition and improvisation. For our staff, this camp was also an opportunity to develop a prototype for an affordable, engaging summer program that all Austin students can access, with plans to expand in future summers.
JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES
In addition to our juvenile justice programs serving youth in residential facilities in the Austin area and Dallas, we are pleased to announce a new program at Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) in the 2023/24 school year. Working in this secure day facility has given our director, Hector Aguilar, the opportunity to bring the joy and connection of music to students who are not incarcerated at a facility like Gardner Betts, but may be on a track toward increased disciplinary action. We are still operating thriving programs in Travis County’s Gardner Betts facility, Williamson County Juvenile Services, and Dallas County’s Henry Wade and Medlock facilities. We are especially pleased to welcome long-term colleague, Noe Garcia, to our contract teaching team, who is now directing our Dallas program.
After years of development, we are also pleased to announce the start of our Long-Term Engagement Project for students who have been released from juvenile detention. In 2023-24 ACG contract teacher Willem Flowers, has been seeing several students, carrying the critical connections music brought them while incarcerated into their life in the community.
In Williamson County we were invited to present for the Mental Health in Schools conference. ACG Director of Education, Travis Marcum, presented at the conference, and led a student interview.
COMMUNITY
2024-25 is the 25th season for our Community Ensemble programs under the leadership of ACG Director of Community Education Tony Mariano! With the additional last year of the South Austin Guitar Ensemble, and this summer’s addition of a third youth ensemble, our total number of community ensembles has grown to 6, serving over seventy-five people on a weekly basis.
Perhaps most notable in 2023-24, the ACG Youth Orchestra celebrated its tenth anniversary with a tour in Spain in early June. You can see the amazing photos in a day-by-day travel blog here. You can also read a lovely reflection written by ACG intern Micaela Creo here.
TWO SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Braille Learning
We received the most wonderful email from Kim, a student in the Netherlands who has been using our LetsPlayGuitar Braille lifelong learning resource to learn guitar. Kim wrote:
“Thank you so much for answering my mail request. But most of all, thanks for creating the LetsPlayGuitar course! It was such a joy to find a fully accessible course for the classical guitar.
“I have finished all 8 levels now, although I guess it will take me some time to play all pieces in the indicated tempo. I’ll keep working on that (probably the rest of my life…).
But while I am working on that, I would like very much to have access to additional music in braille. And if possible, in downloadable, BRF format.
“I am from The Netherlands, and braille material for the classical guitar is very limited here. So, I was very happy to find your course on the internet. I am completely blind. I played the audio parts of your course, via an Iphone with VoiceOver, and I read the 40 braille scores on a braille display.”
Kim went on to give us some excellent suggestions for how to make our resource even better. Thank you Kim.
Presence
In February 2024, after eight months of preparation, 65 student guitarists, the five professional singers of VAMP, bassoonist Kristin Wolf Jensen, and guitar soloist Dieter Hennings took the stage to perform the world premiere of one of our most ambitious projects ever: Presence.
Our 2023-24 season theme was Presence, inviting everyone in our community to reflect on the transformative power of bringing one’s whole self to each moment, be it solitary or with others. Artistic Director Joe Williams paired with Education Director Travis Marcum and worked alongside superstar composer and ACG Artist In Residence Reena Esmail to make an enthralling work developed in partnership with the community. Events such as this are sparks for inspired learning, they exceed expectations and stretch everyone involved to new heights, and the result is unforgettable. Enjoy.
LOOKING AHEAD: BEAUTY, KINDNESS & SPARK
As we shared at the beginning of this report, we believe we are poised for a new era of service at ACG Education. After twenty-three years of innovation and replication, with remarkable and lasting results on generations of students, we believe it’s time to scale our programs across Texas and the US at a new rate.
We’d like to close with the introduction of a new idea: spark. For a decade we have been referring to our change agents as beauty and kindness. Beauty is our organizing principle, it’s what gets us together for concerts, or causes us to work together in the classroom to refine our skills. At the same time, so much of the change we see in humans over time, and the success of our growing community, is a result of intentional kindness. You might think of beauty as the nucleus and kindness as the electron that, together, make up the atom that is ACG.
To this powerful equation, we’d like to offer a new observation. In the fertile context of beauty and kindness, we have come to realize that sparks of inspiration – unexpected projects, stretch goals, moments of sublime beauty, or joyful collaboration – become catalysts for transformation. Presence, our bold 2024 project with Reena Esmail, is a perfect example of spark.
This is a significant learning. It is significant because the better we understand how we successfully make positive change in the world, the better we will be able to scale and replicate our service elsewhere. GuitarCurriculum is our sequential method, the Five Elements are our guiding behaviors, and we now understand our change agents to be beauty, kindness, and spark.
THANK YOU
ACG Education services are only possible because of the generosity of people who share our belief in the power of music to positively transform lives. We would like to extend an extra special thanks to the following institutions and individuals for their significant financial support over the past year:
The Ben & Nancy Sander Family, Meadows Foundation, Augustine Foundation, Cain Foundation, Kaman Foundation, Tim & Karrie League, Webber Family Foundation, W.D. Kelley Foundation, Still Water Foundation, Rea Charitable Trust, Texas Commission on the Arts, Greg Wooldridge & Lynne Dobson, Lucy & Bill Farland, atsec information security, H-E-B, Kodosky Foundation, Bill & Lynne Cariker, Robert Rodriguez, Applied Materials Foundation, Ernest & Sarah Butler, Louis & Mary Kay Smith Family Foundation, Mary Raley, Seawell Elam Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, Gail Vanderlee Strain, Jacqueline Rixen, Stacia & Walt DeBill, Louise Epstein & John Henry McDonald, Mercedes-Benz of Austin, Mockingbird Foundation, Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust, The D’Addario Foundation, 3M Foundation, Debra Lewis, Carson & Michele McKowen, Ameriprise Financial Community Relations, Arnold Foundation, Linda McDavitt, Megyn Busse, Sangeeta Kaur & Hai Nguyen, MFS Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Austin – University Area, Shanti Foundation for Intercultural Understanding, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Zack & Whitney Zamora, Austin Junior Forum, Free Guitars For Kids – FG4K, Robert Reynolds & Kelly Raley, Lloyd & Ferrell Pond, Jim & Jennifer Judkins, Russ & Janey Trowbridge, Kelley Bowen, Sandra Bosley, CAPTRUST, Jewish Communal Fund, Jim & Marion Jirsa, Ruth J Rubio, Tom & Judy Taylor, and Anonymous Donors
Juvenile Justice: A Beautiful Story
At ACG, we believe in the transformative power of music. We have witnessed firsthand how music can transcend boundaries, touch hearts, and make a positive impact in people’s lives. Over the past decade, we have been privileged to create and sustain Texas’ first and only daily, for-credit performing arts course for young people incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice system. Learn more about ACG Education and our Juvenile Justice programs here. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.
I just left lunch with Hector Aguilar, our Director of Juvenile Justice Education here at ACG. I was so inspired by our conversation that I rushed home to write this letter to you.
Hector runs our programs for court-involved youth in Travis County’s Gardner Betts Detention Center and Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs, as well as Williamson County’s Juvenile Services, and Dallas County’s Henry Wade and Medlock facilities. Over lunch he told me a series of amazing stories of young people in difficult circumstances reaching above and beyond through music. My heart was racing.
One story Hector told me was of a conversation he had recently with a young man at one of the facilities. He’s been participating in guitar for several months, finding joy, and improving as a musician. He stopped Hector after their class to ask if it would be possible for his younger brother to get involved in guitar as well.
“I’m worried about him,” the student said. “He’s getting involved in some things he shouldn’t be, and I think guitar could really help him like it’s helped me.”
In all my years in and around education I’ve seen a lot of young people do amazing things with music. But it’s less common, I’ve found, to have awareness around oneself of the broader benefits being developed. As Hector was describing the interaction, I was blown away by the perspective exhibited by this young musician, and his care and hopes for his brother.
Thank you so much for your belief in ACG and in the power of music to help youth in our community.
ACG Top Ten of 2024
Welcome! Each December our team gets together to reminisce and reflect on the amazing adventures we’ve had over the previous twelve months. It’s not easy to come up with the top ten, because there are always so many incredible moments to choose from, but somehow we always manage to narrow it down.
Don’t see your favorite? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you about the moment that touched your heart, tickled your fancy, or inspired your spirit.
Above all, of course, we’re grateful for you. We’re grateful for your presence in our lives, your kindness in our community, your belief in music, and your friendship.
Support ACG’s programs here.
#10 ACG Abroad: Uganda & Nepal
Oh wow. Our hearts expanded this year thanks to the amazing efforts of the teachers and students in our partner programs in Uganda and Nepal.
With assistance from our friends at Free Guitars 4 Kids and Cálido Guitars, we sent 30 guitars and 60 sets of Augustine Strings to Uganda. Seven months later, the guitars arrived, and by June 2024, teacher training had begun. By late August, guitar classes were underway.
This community’s incredible progress in just three months has left us in awe. Music Coordinator Aidah Nakitto:
“The arrival of the guitars has expanded opportunities for our children to learn new skills, express themselves creatively, and connect with others through music. I am fortunate to witness the transformative power of music in young lives. Our children face numerous challenges, yet through music, cultural arts, and gymnastics, they find a sense of purpose, confidence, and community. It reminds us of the universal role these things can play in building connections and resilience, no matter where we are in the world.”
Read more about our work in Uganda here.
We’ve also been getting the most amazing videos from Kathmandu, Nepal! In the video below, the kids walked from the building where they learn guitar to a nearby temple because they thought it would be a prettier backdrop for the video they wanted to send us. Enjoy!!
#9 Student Artistry
We’re consistently amazed by the artistry and leadership of the young people we work with in our community. Every ACG concert features student performers, and one unforgettable moment was Brandon Kim at The Rosette opening for guitar icon Raphaël Feuillâtre.
Beyond the stage, students like Jianna Zamora exemplified leadership. At Bowie High School, Jianna stepped up to teach her peers, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and growth. Read more about her inspiring journey in our blog post here.
We’re endlessly grateful for these young musicians who not only shine as artists but also lead with heart, contributing to the thriving musical community we all cherish.
#8 Music & Healing: Red Oak Hope
Our Music & Healing program continues to blossom, bringing light and connection through music. Since 2014, ACG’s Music & Healing artists have worked with individuals facing profound challenges, creating opportunities to reflect, share, and express personal experiences through music.
One partnership that highlights this transformative power is with Red Oak Hope, an organization dedicated to helping survivors of sexual exploitation. Their Austin home provides a safe space where women can heal and rebuild their lives. Through Red Oak Hope’s Restore program, participants discover creative outlets for self-expression as part of their holistic healing journey.
One stunning example of this work is Canción para Maria, a heartfelt song written by ACG Musich & Healing Artist, Michael, in collaboration with participants from Red Oak Hope. You can listen to Michael singing this beautiful song here.
We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to create music that heals and connects, and for the extraordinary individuals and partners who make this work possible.
#7 ACG Originals: Cuatro Elementos
Azul Barrientos and Joseph Palmer’s gorgeous concert Cuatro Elementos kicked off our ACG Originals concert series this season and it was pure magic.
This extraordinary collaboration was a breathtaking celebration of the elements of life, blending classical and folk music into something transcendent. They shared music from their childhoods growing up in two very different places (Azul in Mexico City and Joseph in Rockwall, TX) and seamlessly connected their worlds.
Here’s one of our favorites:
#6 Juvenile Justice: Long-Term Engagement
This year, we celebrated a milestone in our Juvenile Justice long-term engagement program. One Sunday afternoon in October, a young man we’ll call Tom performed beautifully at The Rosette. This concert marked the completion of his probation requirements, following his release from the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center about a year earlier.
Our long-term engagement initiative grew from a desire to extend the trust and transformation we see in students during their time with us in detention. Learning and performing music for the first time often sparks incredible growth, and we wanted to create a pathway for music and mentorship to remain an anchor as students reintegrate into the community.
Tom’s story is a testament to this vision. Not only did he captivate the audience with three solos and two duets during his performance, but he also shared his music in court as part of his final hearing, impressing the judge with his progress. Tom has since joined his school’s guitar class and actively seeks new opportunities to play and perform.
To learn more about Tom’s inspiring journey and the impact of this program, read Matt Hinsley’s full reflection letter here.
#5 Ten Years of ACGYO: Spain Tour
This year, we celebrated a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of the ACG Youth Orchestra!
Since its founding in 2013 under the direction of Joe Williams, ACGYO has brought together advanced young guitarists from across our community. To mark their 10th anniversary, the ACGYO went on a memorable tour in Spain in June.
The journey included a visit to the renowned Alhambra Guitarra factory, where members borrowed fifteen 4 P Conservatory model guitars for the tour. With these lovely instruments in hand, they performed across Southern Spain, delighting audiences at the Las Torres de Cotillas Flamenco Festival, the Antonio de Torres Museo de la Guitarra and a surprise performance in Granada.
This tour was a celebration of cultural exchange and community with memories that will last a lifetime. Learn more about the tour here.
#4 Great artists at The Rosette: Ana Vidovic
This year, The Rosette has been graced by an abundance of world-class musicians, including luminaries like David Russell, Raphael Feuillâtre, and the Beijing Duo.
One shining example was the unforgettable concert by Ana Vidovic. Ana’s playing was pure poetry. Her fingers moved with effortless grace, drawing out sounds that seemed to breathe life into the room. Every note carried such depth and beauty that the air felt electric, and for those moments, the world outside disappeared. It was the kind of performance that stays with you long after the last note fades.
We are incredibly proud to have such incredible musicians perform at The Rosette, and grateful to witness how it has become a destination for world-class guitar artistry.
#3 25 Years of ACG Community Guitar
We’re thrilled to celebrate 25 years of ACG’s Community Ensembles, and what an exciting year it’s been! Our ensembles are growing stronger than ever, with new additions like the South Austin Guitar Ensemble (SAGE) and the Youth Sinfonia.
ACG Community Ensembles are a special place where anyone, regardless of skill level, can come together and express themselves through music.
“We foster a strong community built on close relationships, creating a safe space where members can fully engage as artists and share the most powerful parts of their inner experience. Being able to express yourself in a space like that makes people feel good—about themselves, the people around them, and the world. And ultimately, we’re in the business of making people feel good.” – Tony Mariano, ACG Director of Community Education
We’re incredibly proud of how far our ensembles have come, and we’re excited for the future. To learn more about our 25th anniversary and the ongoing impact of the Community Ensembles, read our full interview with Tony here.
#2 Give Quartets with Pepe Romero
This October, we had the privilege of hosting guitar legend–and 2024-25 ACG Artist-in-Residence–Pepe Romero for his first week-long residency with ACG. It was a week filled with heartfelt connections, inspirations, and collaborations.
The residency brought to life the essence of our season theme, Give. Months of preparation led to this moment: nine incredibly talented students from our programs, guided by our teaching artists, came together to rehearse and perform with Pepe. In three quartets, Pepe joined as the fourth member, performing music composed or arranged by Pepe and his family.
This unique collaboration is building toward our season finale in May, where these quartets will share the stage once again for an electrifying celebration of music and giving. Learn more and see some behind the scenes content here.
#1 Presence
2024 began with the culmination of a yearlong journey with last season’s Artist-in-Residence and Grammy-nominated composer, Reena Esmail.
Presence was the centerpiece of our 2023-24 season. The performance featured Reena’s stunning compositions, which weaved Indian and Western classical traditions into something utterly unique.
It brought together an incredible lineup of artists: the extraordinary Mexican guitarist Dieter Hennings Yeomans, Austin’s boundary-pushing vocal ensemble VAMP, and critically acclaimed bassoonist Kristin Wolfe Jensen. These world-renowned performers were joined by a massive guitar orchestra, conducted by ACG Artistic Director Joe Williams, on the stage of the gorgeous AISD Performing Arts Center.
Reena’s work for Presence not only explored the intricate beauty of Indian ragas adapted for guitar but also brought together artists and traditions that rarely intersect. Also, every lyric in this piece was written by a member of the intergenerational guitar orchestra!
We are so grateful to have the opportunity to connect with our community in meaningful ways and create grandiose moments like this together.
BONUS: The ACG Team is Growing!
Our ACG family is expanding! This year, we’ve welcomed some incredible new team members and celebrated huge milestones within our community.
In the spring Judit Kolics came on board as our new Operations Director. We’re a $2,000,000 organization now, so that means a LOT of operations! Judit has totally transformed the ACG cerebral cortex and done it with kindness, elegance, and big giant smiles.
Then in the summer, Jordan Sanchez joined us as our new Education Project Manager, bringing her passion and expertise to support our mission. ACG Education is super complex with a dense array of services, programs, training, and curricula available to our global partners alongside deep and direct community-based services here in central Texas. Jordan’s awesome, and now everything is better.
In the classroom, we’re excited to see our former student (like more than a decade ago at McCallum High School!) Vijay Meunier, teaching full-time at Anderson High School. He’s doing an amazing job (of course!) and the parents and kids love him. Go Vijay!
Our Community Education team has grown too, with the addition of Alex Lew and Rey Rodriguez (both former students, too!!), two fantastic educators who share our dedication to spreading the joy of music.
And let’s not forget our dynamic group of interns: Maddy Coronado, Maddy Moore, and Christina Castro. Their energy, creativity, and hard work are fueling so much of what we do behind the scenes.
We couldn’t be more excited about the future with these amazing individuals on our team. Together, we’re building something truly magical! Here’s our 2024 ACG Holiday photo. Not everyone is in there – about fifteen missing – but you get the idea.
THANK YOU
All of the beautiful things that happen at ACG are possible because of people who believe in what we do and choose to support our work. If you would like to join us, and it’s the right time to give, we invite you to make a year-end gift. We are so grateful to every one of you!
In the space below, we would like to recognize some individuals and institutions for their exceptional generosity during the past year. We also invite you to view our sponsors here.
3M Foundation, Greg & Cindy Abell, Ameriprise Financial Community Relations, Applied Materials Foundation, Arnold Foundation, in honor of Lazan Pargaman, atsec information security, Augustine Foundation, Kelley Bowen, Amon Burton, Megyn Busse, Sarah & Ernest Butler, Bill & Lynne Cariker, Lucy & Bill Farland, Ford Foundation, Free Guitars 4 Kids, Kendal & Ken Gladish, Laura Gutierrez-Witt, H-E-B, Ed & Janet Hess, IBC Bank Austin, Penny Jamrack & Bill DeNigris, Jim & Marion Jirsa, Kaman Foundation, Elaine & Michael Kasper, Sangeeta Kaur & Hai Nguyen, Kodosky Foundation, Karrie & Tim League, Debra Lewis, Long Foundation, Louis & Mary Kay Smith Family Foundation, Richard Mattingly, Louise Epstein & John Henry McDonald, Carson & Michele McKowen, Meadows Foundation, Mockingbird Foundation, Bill Moyer, MFS Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation, Christa Pandey, Lazan Pargaman, Lloyd & Ferrell Pond, Kerry & Carole Price, David & Kera Race, Mary Raley, Rea Charitable Trust, Robert Reynolds & Kelly Raley, Jacqueline Rixen, Ruth J Rubio, The Ben & Nancy Sander Family, Shanti Foundation for Intercultural Understanding, Jill Smith, Judith Stich, Still Water Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, The D’Addario Foundation, Russ & Janey Trowbridge, University Area Rotary Club, Brian & Virginia Urban, W.D. Kelley Foundation, Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust, Webber Family Foundation, Maria Wells, Jack & Vanessa Wolfe, Greg Wooldridge & Lynne Dobson, Zack & Whitney Zamora, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Gruppo Butera, Bawi Agua Fresca, New World Deli, Fairweather Cider, Robert Rodriguez, Flavor Co. Catering + Events, Live Oak Brewing Company.
Celebrating Leadership: Jianna Zamora Steps Up
Leadership often reveals itself in moments of challenge and change. When faced with the absence of a dedicated guitar teacher at Bowie High School, Jianna Zamora rose to the occasion, taking on the role of a teacher’s aide and inspiring her peers along the way. Her story shares the power of initiative, resilience, and the impact of a supportive community.
Support ACG Education and students like Jianna here.
At the beginning of the school year ACGYO member, Jianna Zamora, learned that her high school’s guitar program had consolidated into a single class and was going to be taught by the new orchestra teacher; someone not familiar with the guitar.
Recognizing an opportunity to contribute, Jianna embraced the chance to help teach her peers when approached by the orchestra and the music theory/piano teacher asking for assistance as a teacher’s aid.
“It sounded fun,” Jianna shared. “So, I was able to get my schedule changed and began teaching the class.”
This role wasn’t just about filling a gap; it was about creating a meaningful experience for her classmates.
“Preparing for our first performance took the entire first 9 weeks of school. Though I was very proud of our performance, we had to make every class count to perform to the best of our ability.”
The experience of leading her peers offered Jianna invaluable insights into herself and her students.
“I’ve learned so much, about teaching obviously, but also about myself and the students,” she reflected. “Getting to be in a leadership role really helped me to become more assertive and to speak my mind, which is essential when leading a class of 10 high schoolers!”
Jianna explains what inspired her to take on this role,
“The guitar class at Bowie has not had a stable teacher since my freshman year. Since I’ve been informed that this school year will be the last year of the guitar class, I wanted to help out and provide a good class environment for the kids who signed up for the class this year. After attending the teacher summit at ACG over the summer, I felt like with the support from my teachers, peers, and mentors at ACG, I would be able to make a positive impact on the program.”
Stepping into a dual role as both a student and teacher wasn’t without its difficulties.
“It definitely has not always been smooth sailing, it was kind of tough to find the balance between being a student and a teacher.”
Despite these hurdles, Jianna’s commitment never wavered. Each challenge became an opportunity for growth, reinforcing her determination and deepening her connection to her peers and the program.
Jianna’s leadership at Bowie High School has created a ripple effect, empowering her classmates and leaving a lasting impression not only on the guitar program but on us as well. We are so proud and grateful to have incredible, hardworking, and dedicated students in our community. People like Jianna, help our community thrive.
Celebrating Potential and Service: The 2024 Javier Niño Scholarship Recipients
The Javier Niño Memorial Scholarship at Austin Classical Guitar exists to honor the memory of a wonderful young man who brought joy through beauty and kindness to countless people during his lifetime, and to support young classical guitarists in Austin, Texas — through scholarship lessons and other means — who show great promise and who will benefit from access to expert instruction and mentorship. For the 2024-25 school year, after reviewing applications from many talented student musicians across Austin ISD, two stood out. We are proud to award scholarships to both of these deserving young artists.
Life is full of untapped possibilities—the chance to grow, to heal, to create, and to leave a meaningful mark. At ACG, we see this every day in the students who walk through our doors, each carrying unique promise. With every new school year, young people arrive ready to explore their potential, and we have the privilege of watching that potential transform into something vibrant, dynamic, and alive. It’s a breathtaking process, and it reminds us of the power and beauty in every student’s journey.
This year, we had the extraordinary honor of awarding the Javier Niño Scholarship to two remarkable young adults: Joshua Garcia from Crockett High School and Xavier Briones from East Austin College Prep.
These scholarships recognize students who embody creativity, a commitment to making an impact, and a deep sense of humanity.
After sitting down with Joshua and Xavier alongside our Education Associate, Rey Rodriguez, we were struck by their self-awareness and the profound ways they’ve embraced their potential—not just for personal growth, but for service to their communities.
Both Xavier and Joshua began their musical journeys in middle school guitar programs, unsure of where the path would lead. It didn’t take long for them to discover the profound opportunities music offered. For Joshua, music became a way to share his art and touch others’ lives. As he put it:
“Music reassures me that I can make a difference—it’s a connection to people.”
Xavier sees music as a beacon for a brighter future, not only for himself but for those around him. He dreams of guiding others toward their own passions and using music as a tool for healing. His words were deeply moving:
“I want to help people get back on their feet. My purpose is to help those who never had the opportunities I’ve had, just like me.”
What struck Rey and me most during our conversation was their maturity and understanding of the power they wield as musicians. Both Joshua and Xavier recognize their potential to harness music’s transformative power—to ignite passion in others, to foster deep connections, and to help people process and express their emotions in a positive way.
Xavier expressed this beautifully when he said:
“If you’re sad and just need to let out your emotions, music can help. Once you release those emotions, you’ll feel free, at peace, and relaxed.”
As we celebrate Joshua and Xavier’s achievements, we’re inspired by the paths they’re carving for themselves and others. Xavier, a senior, is applying to college to study Music Therapy and Music Education, with hopes of continuing his mission to serve and heal through music. Joshua, a junior, is working hard to build a career as a performer, using his talents to connect and inspire.
We are thrilled to see where their journeys lead and grateful for the chance to witness their potential in action. Through their art and their service, Joshua and Xavier remind us of the extraordinary impact music can have, and the incredible potential in every student we encounter.
Beautiful Moments in Uganda
"I am fortunate to witness the transformative power of music in young lives. Our children face numerous challenges, yet through music, cultural arts, and gymnastics, they find a sense of purpose, confidence, and community. It reminds us of the universal role these things can play in building connections and resilience, no matter where we are in the world." - Aidah Nakitto, M-LISADA Music Coordinator
Learn more about M-LISADA here.
Last summer, we connected with Bosco Segawa from M-LISADA, an orphanage system based in Uganda, who shared how music and dance are central to their community. He dreamed of adding guitar to their creative journey.
Thanks to Free Guitars 4 Kids and Cálido Guitars, we sent 30 beautiful guitars and 60 sets of Augustine Strings overseas. Seven months later, the instruments arrived!
By June 2024, we began training their teachers, former residents of the program who are now giving back, and in late August, classes began.
In just three months, this incredible community has achieved inspiring progress. We're in awe of their dedication and talent, and we’re deeply grateful to our partners for making this possible.
We’re thrilled to share two beautiful videos that capture the magic:
An older group singing and playing “Lean On Me” in a heartfelt performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju127hZwpvE
and a group of beginners playing alongside a traditional Udungu harp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgOJB7mS97E
"At M-LISADA, the belief that music can change lives isn’t just a mantra. Among the many instruments that have found their way into the hands and hearts of the children here, the guitar has emerged as a beacon of creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Since its introduction, guitar classes have been more than just a music lesson; they’ve been a journey of transformation for the children.
For many children at M-LISADA, life has been a series of challenges, with stories of hardship often overshadowing their potential. The guitar has given these children a fresh voice—a way to communicate emotions and ideas that words sometimes cannot express. Whether it’s strumming simple chords or composing heartfelt melodies, these classes have become a therapeutic outlet, fostering emotional healing and resilience.
Learning the guitar isn’t just about mastering music; it’s about discipline, practice, and perseverance. As the children navigate the intricacies of finger placements and chord transitions, they develop confidence in their abilities. This newfound self-assurance doesn’t just stay in the music room; it spills over into their interactions, academics, and everyday lives.
Guitar classes are not just about individual learning—they’re a shared experience. As the children practice together, they learn the value of teamwork, patience, and mutual support. These social skills are invaluable as they build relationships and navigate their future paths.
For younger children at M-LISADA, seeing their peers play the guitar has sparked curiosity and inspiration. This ripple effect ensures that the love for music and the opportunities it brings continue to grow within the community.
The impact of guitar classes at M-LISADA goes beyond music; it’s about changing lives. It’s about giving children a tool to dream bigger, a reason to believe in themselves, and a platform to inspire others.
As the sound of strumming fills the air at M-LISADA, it’s clear that the guitar is more than just an instrument—it’s a symbol of hope, growth, and transformation. And for the children whose lives it has touched, it’s the melody of a brighter future.
The arrival of the guitars has expanded opportunities for our children to learn new skills, express themselves creatively, and connect with others through music." - Aidah Nakitto, M-LISADA Music Coordinator
ACG Originals: Journey with Matt Hinsley & Friends
On December 7 and 8, ACG’s very own Matt Hinsley will share an incredibly special evening of music and storytelling with us at The Rosette in an ACG Originals production titled, Journey.
Joining Matt on stage are two exceptionally talented musicians and dear friends from his journey: Justin Jay Hines, an A-list percussionist and Matt’s former college roommate, and Joe Williams, ACG’s Artistic Director, bassist, and longtime collaborator. Together, they will bring this story to life.
Find tickets here.
Inspired by our season theme of GIVE and Joseph Campbell’s exploration of the hero’s journey, ACG’s Executive Director, Matt Hinsley, has put together a gorgeous program that shares stories of pivotal moments from his remarkable 28 years with ACG.
This week, we had the opportunity to take a deeper dive into this project with Matt!
“I love stories. I love to read them, and I love to write them,” Matt Hinsley shares with an unmistakable enthusiasm,
“Something that has long fascinated me is the Hero’s Journey paradigm shared with the world by Joseph Campbell. I’ve been taking a class this year about synchronicity and we spent a bit of time studying the Hero’s Journey right when Joe Williams started talking with me about doing this concert. To me it felt like…synchronicity! The whole concert, which is ten connected pieces – like a concept album – came to me in the span of about six weeks.”
Why the Hero’s Journey? Matt explains,
“The Hero’s Journey is the framework that many stories are based on. It includes being called by something, something big, something you don’t fully understand but is irresistible and you’re compelled to follow it. Then there are a series of trials. And ultimately a return. The hero always returns different then when they set out, and often, while the journey is external, the thing they’ve been searching for was inside them the whole time. Think Frodo and Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter, or Luke in Star Wars.”
But for Matt, the Hero’s Journey isn’t just a literary device; it’s a lens through which he sees life.
“It’s in huge things, like our entire lifetimes, or our careers, or our marriages. It’s in small things, like going to get a cup of coffee! It’s in our journey to become good at something, like playing the guitar. It’s in our collaborative relationships.”
Our 2024-25 Season theme is GIVE, which Matt also drew a lot of inspiration from. When planning the season, Matt spoke deeply about this concept with ACG’s artistic director and bassist for this project, Joe Williams. He shared what GIVE meant for him,
“For me, the idea of give is about recognition and awareness and intention. It’s about recognizing the gifts that everyone gives: their presence, their effort, their kindness, their talent. It’s about awareness of those gifts in the moment they are happening, not only in retrospect. And it is about having the intention to give in every way possible.”
This philosophy culminates in the final piece of Journey, a song Matt wrote:
“Been thinking lately about life’s gold and rust. The thought came to me, just. I asked how stars choose the people they dust. The answer that came was just. I begged for release from toil, boom, and bust. The gift I received, just. I wondered at beauty, and kindness, and trust. The wisdom I gained, was just give. Just give.”
He continues on to share,
“What I mean by those words is: we struggle in our lives. We struggle with ups and downs, with wondering why them and not us, or why us and not them, we struggle with labor, and we wonder at beauty. And while we may not ever have the satisfying answers to those questions, we can process all of it, and live our best lives as our divine selves by just giving.”
As we prepare to experience Journey, we’re reminded of the immense impact Matt Hinsley has had on ACG over the past 28 years. His vision, leadership, and unwavering passion have transformed this organization into a global beacon of creativity, education, and community connection. Through his dedication, Matt has touched countless lives, inspiring students, audiences, and collaborators with his artistry and generosity. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, which continues to guide and shape ACG’s mission in profound and meaningful ways. This concert is not only a reflection of his journey but also a celebration of the extraordinary gifts he has shared with all of us.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
GIVE: A Week with Pepe Romero
Early this October, we had the honor of hosting this season’s Artist-in-Residence, the legendary Pepe Romero, for his first week-long residency.
Pepe’s presence was nothing short of magical, filled with moments that touched each and every one of us. Whether through his words, his playing, or his teaching, Pepe brought an unmatched depth to his time with us.
Special thanks to atsec information security for their generous support of our Artist in Residence program with Pepe Romero.
The residency was the culmination of months of preparation. Nine exceptionally talented students from our programs worked alongside our teaching artists to refine the music they would perform with Pepe. Then together, they rehearsed in three quartets, with Pepe joining each group as the fourth member. These quartets will perform as part of our highly anticipated season finale in May, GIVE.
ACGYO member, Jianna Zamora, spoke about her experience being part of this project,
“We’ve spent about the past 2 months working with Alex Lew, Tony Mariano, Greg Sonnier, and Teddy McCoy on our music in preparation for Pepe Romero’s arrival. It has been super fun for me because I love getting to spend time and make music with not only my good friends but also amazing musicians that really inspire me to be my best that I can be.
I am someone that gets nervous when I play solos on stage, so I was expecting some of that to happen when performing in this quartet, but it didn’t! This experience was so much fun and I felt nothing but excitement and anticipation for our performance for Pepe. As soon as we were on the stage, I was just happy that we could share the music we’ve been learning together, and I can only hope that it makes at least one person in the audience feel the way that I do when I play it!
With pepe being the legend that he is, I was nervous to meet him. Of course everyone told me that he was the nicest guy on earth (which I soon found out to be true) but I still was scared that I wouldn’t play my music perfectly. Once we got to rehearse with him, I saw that he truly is such a patient, smart, and kind person. And I’m actually almost glad I messed up a few times because in my eyes the feedback he gave me was worth way more than a compliment.
The best thing about Pepe is how he really feels the music; both when he plays and when he listens. So to see his reaction that was genuine excitement was really meaningful to me. In that moment, all the work and time we had put into this music finally became a physical, tangible thing. I’ll never forget it.
The first time we had rehearsal with him, he had us all sit with our eyes closed and pluck the low E string, and he encouraged us to feel the vibrations from the guitar. It made me think about how we sometimes take for granted what a beautiful instrument we have, and that the sound it makes is not its only sensory quality. To also feel the sound is to understand the music on a deeper level, and that’s something that has already impacted my daily practice.”
Pepe Romero’s impact went far beyond the technical elements of the music. Another ACGYO and quartet member, Satvik Chawla, shared a particularly powerful moment from rehearsal also,
“The most powerful moment for me was when Pepe reminded us that notes are like bottles; it’s what you put in them, the emotions, the expressions, that make them have substance. When I listened to his playing, both at Monday’s concert and during rehearsals, I couldn’t hear a single note that Pepe didn’t put some sort of feeling into. Everything he played had purpose, and even with slight stumbles, he kept the same musicality of the piece.”
This lesson encapsulated the artistry that Pepe brings to every performance and rehearsal, teaching students to not just play the notes, but to fill them with life and meaning. It’s a reminder that music is as much about emotion as it is about technique.
One parent who observed Pepe during a group lesson reflected on another transformative moment,
“We sat in the balcony Wednesday night for the last twenty minutes or so of the group lesson. This was during Pepe Romero’s demonstration of hand movements and exercises. If you had simply described this moment to me, I might not have been able to grasp how spellbinding it was. Honestly, at a certain point, I think I was starting to feel hypnotized! The lesson itself was very important and powerful at a practical level. Zooming back, you also saw an older man imparting the wisdom of a lifetime-how to nurture and preserve your body to keep doing what you love—to a group of young musicians with decades in front of them. To me, it was the embodiment of what it means to teach, and to learn.”
Pepe’s ability to build profound connections with his students, reminded us all that teaching music is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about sharing a lifetime of experience, wisdom, and care.
The week concluded with our season benefit concert at the home of Jeff and Gail Kodosky, where Pepe shared the touching story of how his father composed a beautiful tango to propose to his mother. Then Pepe surprised us all by asking our Executive Director, Matt Hinsley, to join him on stage and sing! Their performance was as heartfelt as it was unforgettable, a perfect testament to the friendship and artistry that had grown throughout the week.
Would you like to see it? As a token of our appreciation, we’ll share a link to a video of Pepe and Matt’s special performance with everyone who makes a contribution to ACG from now through the end of the month!
If you’ve already donated, or if now’s not the right time to give but you’d still love to see the performance, simply send the word PEPE to this email and we’ll send you a link.
This week was a transformative experience for everyone involved.
Pepe and his wife Carissa reflected on their experience in Austin, sharing:
“We wanted to thank you, our hosts and your team for a wonderful time in Austin. It makes such a difference to work with people on a certain wavelength and cultivated mindset, and we are truly impressed.”
Jianna reflected on the impact it had on her as a musician,
“I’m just really grateful to have this opportunity to make music with Pepe and all of these amazing guitarists. I’m really proud of the growth I’ve had with ACG, and I’m excited for what’s to come in the rest of this season.”
Pepe’s residency was not only a celebration of music but a celebration of human connection, teaching, and the lifelong pursuit of artistry.
Changemakers: Travis Marcum & ACG Music & Healing
We dream of a world where music is here for everyone, connecting us, inspiring us, and bringing joy and meaning wherever it goes. We are having our Fall fund drive here at ACG and it’s because of our community and supporters that we are able to share stories like this. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.
At ACG, we believe in the power of music to heal, connect, and transform lives. This mission has guided our work for over a decade, especially through our Music & Healing program, led by ACG’s Director of Education and Music & Healing, Travis Marcum. As part of our Fall Fund Drive, we are thrilled to share Travis’ inspiring story and his reflections on how music can be a powerful source of healing.
In 2010, Travis began leading the guitar program at Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. Working with young people who had faced trauma and hardship early in life was a deeply moving experience for him. Travis shared,
“For four years, I worked with young men and women who had experienced tremendous trauma and hardship early in their childhood. Many of the students were diagnosed with mental health issues or learning disabilities alongside addiction in some cases. Through connecting with them and listening to their experiences, I learned about the many ways they came to the guitar each day as a means to cope with their circumstance, to calm the mind, and access the expression needed to heal.”
It was in those early years at Gardner Betts that Travis saw the power of music to heal, not just as an art form but as a tool for processing deep emotions.
“It was a powerful experience for me, and I began thinking about all of the possibilities to connect with people in the Austin community around the idea of validating experiences through collaborative music making.”
The seed was planted, and soon the vision for ACG’s Music & Healing program began to take shape. In 2014, ACG partnered with Carnegie Hall for the Lullaby Project, a collaborative songwriting initiative that pairs professional musicians with new or expectant parents to create original lullabies for their babies.
“Lullaby Project is a program that pairs professional musicians with new or expectant parents to write an original lullaby for their baby,” Travis explained. “Artist and mother collaborate in generating lyrics and music to express her hopes and dreams for her child. The model of the Lullaby Project offered us a path forward to explore collaborative songwriting with many other partner organizations and participants such as Dell Children’s Hospital, Texas Oncology, Red Oak Hope, Foundation Communities, and many more.”
Since then, ACG Music & Healing has expanded to reach individuals across Austin who are experiencing some of life’s most significant challenges—illness, trauma, and grief—offering them a safe, expressive space to transform their feelings into music. Travis shares,
“ACG Music & Healing is so special because it offers us a musical space to validate and acknowledge some of the biggest joys and hardships of the human experience and share these feelings in a safe and beautiful way. As a society, we often pack away and hide our illness, grief, and trauma. We aren’t taught to express our feelings, and as time goes by, we can feel isolated. The music gives us a safe place to put the feelings, and our skilled Music & Healing Artists help transform them into a song. It’s a simple concept: make music, together, and heal. The friendships that we have made over the last ten years are so special to me. The fact that people invite us into their hearts, that they trust us to treat their ideas with care and to make something beautiful together… that blows my mind.”
Through the dedication of Travis Marcum and our incredible Music & Healing Artists, we have witnessed countless moments of transformation as individuals facing isolation or hardship find a path toward healing through music.
This fall, we invite you to support Travis’ Music & Healing program and help us continue to provide this essential service to those who need it most. Your generosity makes it possible for us to offer this healing space to more individuals and families across Austin.
Support Travis’ program here.
Changemakers: Community, Connection, & 25 Years of Music with Tony Mariano
We dream of a world where music is here for everyone, connecting us, inspiring us, and bringing joy and meaning wherever it goes. We are having our Fall fund drive here at ACG and it’s because of our community and supporters that we are able to share stories like this. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.
At ACG, we believe in the transformative power of music and community. Few people embody this belief more than our Community Education Director, Tony Mariano, who leads our vibrant ACG Community Ensembles. As we celebrate 25 years of ACG Community Ensembles, we sat down with Tony to reflect on the heart of this program and the journey that has brought us here.
The ACG Community Ensembles are a place where everyone, no matter their skill level or experience, can come together and express themselves as artists. For Tony, this is the foundation of what makes these ensembles so special. He shared,
“Everyone has something deep within them that needs to be expressed, but sadly, there aren’t always many safe or encouraging outlets for that. Often, people with so much to give as artists don’t get the opportunity to express themselves in the truest sense. Through the ACG Community Ensembles, we offer that chance to people of all ages.”
It’s this sense of creative freedom that makes participating in the ensembles such a fulfilling experience. For Tony, helping others tap into that deep part of themselves is the most rewarding aspect of the work.
“We foster a strong community built on close relationships, creating a safe space where members can fully engage as artists and share the most powerful parts of their inner experience. Being able to express yourself in a space like that makes people feel good—about themselves, the people around them, and the world. And ultimately, we’re in the business of making people feel good.”
Tony’s journey with the Community Ensembles began in 2016 with the desire to help people discover their potential through music. Tony shares,
“I wanted to work with this program because I wanted to challenge people to achieve great things through music, while also helping them find community and connection in the process. There’s nothing better than seeing people smile after they’ve worked hard for weeks and finally achieve something meaningful to them. The feeling of creating something beautiful—something you once thought was impossible—is a moment I love witnessing.”
In 2016, Tony began his journey directing the ACG Choir, a group that had a profound impact on him both personally and professionally. He expressed,
“I’m so grateful to that first group for giving me the space to develop as a leader and teacher. They’ll always have a special place in my heart. Since then, I’ve taken over the ACG Chamber Ensemble and the ACG Youth Camerata. Today, we have six adult and youth community ensembles, all directed by some of the most talented artists and educators in the world. I’m incredibly grateful to share this work with such amazing people.”
This season marks a significant milestone for ACG’s Community Ensembles; 25 years of fostering creativity, community, and connection through music. Over the past two and a half decades, ACG has been blessed with incredible art and music from talented composers who have shaped the program in profound ways.
“Through commissions, composition competitions, artist residency collaborations, and our GuitarCurriculum library, we’ve received mind-blowing compositions from truly remarkable people. These gifts have shaped ACG and our ensembles in a deep way, and we’re so excited to celebrate them this year.”
As part of the celebration, each ensemble will prepare a program featuring music from ACG’s past, honoring these incredible works. The anniversary will culminate in a Spring Festival on April 26th, where the ensembles will share these musical gifts with the community once again.
“Don’t miss it!” Tony added with excitement.
As we look back on 25 years of ACG Community Ensembles, we’re reminded of the countless moments of joy, connection, and artistic expression that have made this program so special. We invite you to be part of this celebration. Whether by attending the Spring Festival, joining one of our ensembles, or supporting Tony and the Community Ensemble program for our fall fund drive.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Support Tony’s program here.
Changemakers: Ravindra Paudyal & Guitar Foundation Nepal
We dream of a world where music is here for everyone, connecting us, inspiring us, and bringing joy and meaning wherever it goes. We are having our Fall fund drive here at ACG and it’s because of our community and supporters that we are able to share stories like this. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.
Guitar Foundation Nepal is made possible thanks to a generous sustaining gift from Rick Reeder at Layer 3 Real Estate, who shares our belief that music can do good in the world. We’re so grateful for our many opportunities to work with teachers near and far who bring their passion into the classroom every day. If you’d like to join Rick and many others as an ACG sustaining donor, click here! Thanks to all our friends who make our programs possible.
For this year’s Fall Fund Drive, we would like to take a moment to introduce you to some of the amazing individuals who are at the heart of ACG’s community programs.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing a series of stories that spotlight our dedicated employees and community members, highlighting the transformative programs they lead and the incredible impact they have on our community.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating these extraordinary programs and the people who make them possible.
This week, we’re excited to highlight Ravindra Paudyal, an EMS professional from Kathmandu, who had long dreamed of creating guitar classes in his community. A few years ago, that dream led him to connect with ACG, and since then, he has turned it into a reality.
We had the opportunity to speak with Ravindra about his program and how it functions, here’s what he had to say:
“Guitar Foundation Nepal is a remarkable initiative that offers much more than music lessons. It is a comprehensive academy that fosters a wide range of skills, including teamwork, self-esteem, and self-actualization, all through the beauty of classical music. The program emphasizes the importance of music as a performing art, where students learn to express abstract concepts like scripts, scores, and language through their performances.
In my work with these students, I focus on creating a friendly and supportive environment. I accept their weaknesses with patience, teaching them as a friend, not just a mentor. To ensure their well-being, we provide lunch during music classes, as they attend after school. We also cover their lunch, travel, and recital allowances during performances, making sure they feel supported every step of the way. Additionally, we supply all necessary curriculum materials, allowing the students ample time to understand, feel, and perform the music they learn. Their progress is visible in their monthly performances, and I’m proud of how uniformly they are improving.
Looking ahead, I plan to cover the yearly tuition fees for our most outstanding, dedicated, and deserving students. None of this would be possible without the generous contributions from kind-hearted individuals in America, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Austin Classical Guitar for making this program a reality.
Finally, I want to personally thank Dr. Matthew Hinsley for his unwavering dedication as a music educator and social worker. Through melody, harmony, and orchestration, he has shown a path of hope to many who have felt lost. Melody represents the direction we take in life, harmony symbolizes the support we receive to make it better, and orchestration is the teamwork built on discipline, hard work, and growth.”
We feel incredibly fortunate to witness the power of music to inspire and uplift communities around the world. Thank you, as always, for your generous support, which allows us to continue nurturing programs like these.
