The Spark of Music. The Power of Community.

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. Since 2014, 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. We currently provide daily instruction in Travis, Williamson, and Dallas Counties. 

Learn more about ACG Education and our Juvenile Justice programs here.

Support ACG.

Our Director of Juvenile Justice Education, Hector Aguilar shared a beautiful reflection from the 2025-26 school year. Read the full letter below:

Hi everyone, 

As I sit with all that this year held, I keep coming back to how much this work continues to grow, not just in numbers or programs, but in relationships, in trust, and in what feels possible. 

I find myself thinking a lot about how different this work feels compared to even a few years ago. There was a time when most of our work centered almost entirely around what happened inside a classroom or facility. That is still a huge part of what we do, of course, but these past couple of years have felt different. I am beginning to see more clearly how connected all of this is becoming. 

One of the biggest challenges in this work has always been staying connected with students once they leave the spaces where we first meet them. That continues to be one of the hardest parts of this work. At the same time, this year gave me a lot of hope. Through our Vita Ensemble continuing engagement program at the Rosette, Judge Denise Hernandez’s Transformative Youth Justice Program referral program, and our new relationship with Gardner Betts’ Hope Studio, and other referral based opportunities, I feel like we are slowly creating more pathways for students to stay connected to music and to us beyond their initial placement. That has always been the dream, even if it continues to be challenging. 

This year we served over 100 students across Central and North Texas, ranging from 5th through 12th grade. We also placed more than a dozen guitars directly into students’ hands so they could continue making music beyond the classroom. More than the numbers, what stands out most is seeing students continue to grow into themselves. We are watching them perform publicly, share their stories, support one another, and begin seeing themselves not just as students in a program, but as musicians, artists, and leaders. 

One area that gave me a lot of encouragement this year was the continued growth in our programs and partnerships. In Dallas, we expanded to three active groups with the addition of Youth Village, which felt like a big step forward for our work in North Texas. I have also been reflecting a lot on the growth of our teaching artist support, especially in Dallas. This work is deeply meaningful, but it can also be challenging, and we know teacher retention is still an area where we want to keep growing. 

At the same time, I feel really encouraged by what we are building. Each of our teaching artists has shared that they feel supported, and that means a lot. We are building stronger systems of communication, support, and collaboration so that no one feels like they are carrying this work alone. 

Another exciting development this year was the final approval of the Hope Studio curriculum after many conversations, revisions, and advocacy. Hope Studio gives us another way to connect with young people through probation connected programming while also expanding how we engage with them creatively. Along with guitar instruction, this program creates space for songwriting and other forms of musical expression, which opens up new ways for students to share their stories and experiences through music. That part especially excites me.

One of the most meaningful moments of this year came through the Vita Ensemble and our opportunity to perform at the Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) conference, a gathering of youth advocates and professionals from across the state. 

Two students in our programs represented this work beautifully. Student A completed his program over a year ago, and Student B completed hers just a few months ago through our partnership with Judge Hernandez and the Transformative Youth Justice Program. Student B also became the first student to successfully complete our work through that partnership, which felt like an important milestone. 

What made this especially meaningful was that both of them chose to continue showing up and remain part of Vita. That represents something bigger than successful program completion. It speaks to connection, trust, and belonging. 

At TNOYS, both students shared parts of their journey, performed individual solos, and then came together as an ensemble. Watching them speak confidently in front of that room was incredibly moving. The standing ovation they received was special, but more than anything it was a powerful reminder of what is possible. 

Another story that stands out from this year comes from Gardner Betts. We faced many hurdles there that tested both the strength of the program and the commitment of the students. At one point, it seemed possible that we would lose guitar at the campus altogether. After many conversations, advocacy, and strong support from Mr. Brashear, we found a path forward. 

The students made an incredible sacrifice by giving up part of their lunch period to keep guitar alive. Even though this shortened both their lunch and our class time, they showed up every week eager and ready to learn. Initially, because the class took place during lunch, we were told the course could no longer remain for credit. That was difficult, especially after all the work we had done the year before to preserve that status. Still, we felt keeping the group and relationship alive mattered most. After continued conversations and advocacy, we were ultimately able to secure for credit status once again in the Spring semester. That felt like a huge win. 

Even though we were not able to have an end of year concert, we were still able to capture a recording of the group performing Found a Friend, which I am grateful to be able to share. There was another special moment with this group that stands out. When I returned from winter break, the students were excited to show me something they had been working on. During our time away, they had taken Blue Magic and rearranged it into something completely their own. 

What stood out most was not just the creativity of what they made, but the fact that they cared enough about the music and about each other to keep thinking about it beyond class. They were eager to share it and immediately started talking about wanting to record it. Unfortunately, we were not able to capture Majestic Blue this year, but my colleague Francisco, the Vita members, and I are currently working on recording their arrangement, and I look forward to sharing it once it is complete. 

There were many other meaningful moments throughout the year. In Austin’s Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program secure day school, we experienced enough growth to add a second group this year, which was exciting to see. At Williamson County (WilCo), students participated in documentary filming, and one thing that stood out was how they wanted to share that experience together.

When it came time for interviews, they preferred staying together as a group rather than going into a separate room one at a time. In a moment that could have felt intimidating and vulnerable, they found comfort and courage in each other. That said so much about the trust and bond they had built as a group. 

This year, all six of our performing groups across Central and North Texas received Division 1 ratings at the North Texas Concert and Sight Reading Contest, which felt like a huge accomplishment and a strong reflection of the consistency and growth happening across all of our sites. 

Another important development this year was the collaboration with our Production Director, Todd, around recordings and audio production. His support added a completely new layer to the work by helping us capture our groups with a level of quality we had not been able to achieve before. That support played an important role in contest recordings, performance recordings, and in preserving meaningful musical moments from our students. 

One moment that stands out came during our WilCo end of year performance, where we were able to place four guitars directly into students’ hands. Watching them leave that performance with instruments of their own felt incredibly special. 

One final moment that stands out came during a visit I made to Brownsville. I had the opportunity to meet with Hilda Ledezma from Revival of Cultural Arts and learn about their new court connected initiative. During our conversation, she shared that she had been seriously considering stepping away from the program because they were unsure of how to move forward and felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the work. 

After hearing more about their goals and challenges, I shared some thoughts from our own experience. Later that day, I worked with their teachers and students, and by the end of the session we were playing through Blue Magic together. Hilda shared that the visit gave her renewed hope and reaffirmed her belief in the work they were building. That conversation was a beautiful reminder of how important relationships and shared learning are in this work. Sometimes simply being able to share what we have learned can help someone keep moving forward. 

More than anything, this year reminded me how much this work depends on people showing up for one another. This work is only possible because of the support, trust, and collaboration across so many parts of ACG. From leadership, to operations, to teaching artists and program support, each of you plays an important role in making this work possible. 

Thank you for continuing to believe in this work, in me, and in the young people we serve. I feel deeply grateful to be part of this team and excited about what lies ahead. 

With gratitude, 

Hector

Listen to Found a Friend here:

We’re excited to share that there is a new way to participate in this beautiful ecosystem of ACG. 

You’ve probably heard of vehicle donations on public radio and TV. It’s a simple and supported process. Our partner will pick up the vehicle, give you a tax-deductible donation receipt, and then convert your gift into a contribution to ACG that will help us make the musical magic we make all year long. Here’s how:

ACG Vehicle Donations

This month we received a generous gift in the form of a vehicle donation from one of our long-time volunteers, Pietro, and we could not be more grateful for his consistent support and deep friendship. 

Pietro has been a volunteer with us since 2011! That’s 15 years. He met us through an intro guitar class he was taking at ACC and the rest was history, 

“I was taking an Intro to Guitar class at ACC, NRG campus. My instructor, Kim Perlak, who was working with ACG, made an announcement that ACG was looking for volunteers to help with the grand opening of the new City Limits Performance Center downtown. Jorge Caballero was playing “Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” along with a display of artwork. I’ve enjoyed volunteering with different organizations over the years. Here was a new experience with music I liked; and a free performance! So I made contact.

After that, I was hooked. In those early days, ACG performances were hosted at church venues, with seating always a challenge with pews. People like their space, and seating was close quarters, but we had great participants who got shoulder to shoulder. And I still recognize some of those patrons.

Highlights for me back then were special performances hosted by ACG supporters in their homes along with a catered buffet. (Will volunteer for food!) Something of a precursor to the Rosette venue in size. Before then however was the move to the AISD Performing Arts Center and actual assigned seating! So, it was ushering, parking attendant, program stuffing, furniture moving, chair setup, take down, cleanup, and “other duties as assigned,” along of course, with great music. Now too, a weekly visit to the garden at Baker Street.”

15 years is a long time to be involved with a community, Pietro shares what inspires him to continue being part of the ACG family, 

“Music, in its many aspects. In high school, I was part of an 80 voice A Capella choir which had a fine reputation and traveled to different areas to perform. These were my growing up years in the midst of personal challenges. Making music with peers that others could enjoy provided an anchor for me, and important social interactions. I can appreciate and resonate with the testimonials of students who have been part of ACG’s educational efforts. 

For me, there is an important healing aspect to my music experiences which I see manifesting through ACG’s growth and expansion. This was again reinforced with my recent attendance at the Williamson County Juvenile Center. For me, ACG has become much more than a non-profit with a focus on classical guitar.

I have to say too, that ACG has what I call a “chemistry” of people and purpose that continues to express itself in its service and mission to others, and I enjoy contributing to that in time and energy, along with a great bunch of volunteers.”

Just earlier this month, Pietro gifted his old Ford Ranger to us as part of our new vehicle donation program! He shares, 

“I vacillated between fixing it, selling it, and donating it for a couple of years. I was becoming less ambitious about getting under my Ford Ranger and pulling out the starter again. 

Recently I saw online that ACG was participating in a vehicle donor program, and that helped me make up my mind.

The process was simple. I knew I would need my registration but I couldn’t find my copy. I filled out the Application for a Certified Copy online here and mailed it off with a $2 check. I got it in the mail last week and went to the ACG link and submitted it online. Having the title in front of you makes filling out the form easy.

I was contacted the next day by the main organization which is in California. Information was reviewed and I was to be contacted for pickup by a local tow company. 

Today I followed up with the org and they gave me a contact number. I had given them my landline for contact expecting a call, and they were texting! Now they have my cellphone number and will schedule a pickup June 4 or 5. 

Do not sign your title until the tow folks arrive.”

Everything we do here at ACG is accomplished in partnership together. It takes the support of friends like you who believe in the power of music and kindness to make positive change in the world. 

We are grateful every day for the chances we have to share beauty with friends like you at The Rosette, and in classrooms, shelters, and hospitals all across our community and beyond.

Thank you so much

ACG Music & Healing brings human connection, beauty, and expressivity to individuals facing isolation and challenge, through collaboration with a skilled and trained ACG Artist. These services are available to a wide variety of clients through partnerships with more than a dozen social service providers including hospitals, shelters, residential rehabilitation facilities, parental education and family health organizations, and veterans service providers. Learn more about ACG Music & Healing.

When ACG’s Music & Healing program came to life we carried the vision that it would bring human connection, beauty, and expressivity to individuals facing isolation and challenge. Since 2014, we have been honored to bring that vision to fruition through collaboration with skilled artists in our community and participants who were willing to share their hearts with us. 

Since 2014, ACG Music & Healing has created more than 120 original songs with participants across Austin in clinical and community settings. Many of which came through the Lullaby Project, a partnership between ACG and Carnegie Hall where we connect with mothers specifically to create lullabies for their babies.

This year, our Music & Healing program continued its partnership with Travis County Correctional Complex, bringing the Lullaby Project to mothers in the facility. Across four weeks, four mothers each created an original song for their children—powerful expressions of love, connection, and hope.

“Catch Your Wave” was written by Marixza in collaboration with Music & Healing artist Claire Puckett. Set in a bright pop style, the song carries Marixza’s words of joy to her son and grandchild. The recording features vocals by ACG artist Daniel Fears.

Enjoy.

Special thanks to our partner Ashlee Silver, LCSW, Women, Families, & Children Program Coordinator at TCCC.

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. 

Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.

One of our favorite things at ACG is the long-term connections we make with students we met through our programs. We’re so grateful to have so many ACG alumni who move on to do incredible things with their lives. 

This week we heard from past Javier Niño Scholarship recipient, Xavier Eric Briones.

We met Eric in our AISD public school programs. As he has shared with us on multiple occasions, he had to learn some difficult lessons early on in his youth. He was teaching himself to play guitar, had loads of talent and passion, and was eager for instruction.

“I met ACG thanks to a woman named Meredith McAlmond. I mention her name alot. She’s an amazing cellist, performer, and teacher who really cares about the students. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Ms. Meredith and I met when I transferred high schools and was just looking for an elective to just finish school. 

At my previous school I took a classical guitar class just to pass and get an easy A. I expressed my interest to Ms. Meredith but they only offered orchestra at this new school. However, despite me not having real classical experience, nor the ability to read music or play well in my opinion. She was astounded and shocked at my playing and within a few days, she introduced me to ACG.

The only plans I had were to work till the day I died or go to the military to support my family since we were poor. 

Thanks to ACG I met famous classical players like the Assad Brothers and Clarice Assad. I got to experience real classical music for the first time for free. I became inspired.

Then I met Tony Mariano at ACG. He was nice, caring, and genuine. He helped me out in so many ways I could go on about for hours. He gave me lessons until he introduced me to Evan Taucher. 

Evan taught me theory and technique, and prepared me for college as by this time I was getting ready to audition and decided I was gonna do music seriously.

I took a serious gamble in deciding to audition for Miami. Although I know full well I couldn’t afford it, let alone could afford even community college, I had my sights set. Both ACG and Austin Soundwaves did their best to help me. They got me a ticket to Miami, Florida to help me audition. 

I became a musician within 2 years, with over 40 hours of practice a week + school. With hard work, belief, and support you can do anything. 

I like to think of ACG as a Family. They really helped me and so did Austin Soundwaves and of course Ms. Meredith. I am humbly grateful to all of them.”

Eric has a deep drive to help people who don’t have financial freedom, mentorship, or opportunities. He has a passion for bringing people together, bringing people up, and inspiring them to push through adversity the way he did. In fact, as a high school student, he volunteered to be a peer mentor in one of our ACG Juvenile Justice Services programs. 

Since graduating from our programs last year, Eric has just finished his first year at University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida studying Music Therapy. 

“My first year at college was an amazing experience. I got to meet many new people, and many new friends! It was an achievement I never expected to accomplish.

 I am majoring in Music Therapy, with a track of mastering in Music Ed and Ph.D in Music Ed as well.”

Not only is he having an incredible time and making beautiful friendships, he also received not only the Sony Music Group Global Scholarship but also the presidential scholarship from the university to support him in a full ride for all four years!

“Being in Miami is so amazing. The weather is nice 90% of the time. Great School, great academics, and a great music program. 

Some highlights have been playing volleyball, becoming a professional basketball trainer at UMiami and being able to play guitar with a band doing latin contemporary music. It’s been a blast! 

I received the Quinn Scholarship, also known as the Sony Music Group Global Scholarship. But the university themselves provided me with the Presidential scholarship, and the Dean of the Music School gave me his own personal scholarship that led to a full ride scholarship with extra assistance that allows me to attend UMiami for four full years!”

One of our favorite things about music is the time it creates for togetherness that over time blossoms into relationships, friendships, trust, and treasured memories. 

We’re so proud of Eric and can’t wait to see what he gets into next.

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.

Support ACG.

Since 2012, ACG has offered Texas’ only Guitar Ensemble Concert and Sight Reading Contest. Structured after similar events for band and orchestra that promote teaching community and quality, over a thousand students and teachers gather and perform concerts they have worked hard on throughout the year and test their sight reading abilities. We now offer this event in six locations across the state to serve our many partner programs. Every year we are so amazed by the talent, dedication, and drive that comes into this competition from teachers and students alike. And we are so grateful for the hard work and clear success that comes out of our programs.

Since about the same time, we have also 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. We currently provide daily instruction in Travis, Williamson, and Dallas Counties. However, in all of Texas history, students in detention have never had the opportunity to participate in events like Concert & Sight Reading Contest.  

Until now.

This week we had the privilege of receiving a wonderful reflection from the guitar director at  Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center, Noe Garcia, on his students’ first experience at our annual Concert & Sight Reading event. 

“This milestone represents a range of meaningful achievements for these students. Across the three facilities where I teach, the student population is quite diverse. Many of them have had inconsistent school experiences and have not had access to music opportunities that others might take for granted. 

For some, this was their first time collaborating on a recording. Others had never received a trophy, certificate, or any formal recognition for their efforts. I even had students who had never experienced something as simple as a “pizza party” or been invited to one.

All three of my groups received a 1 (highest rating). I was very excited for them, as many of my students shared that they had never previously received trophies or medals. It is especially meaningful to be able to provide that experience for them.

During the process, I noticed that the students were particularly enthusiastic when I brought in the microphones to record our submissions. They felt some pressure to produce a version that was strong enough but at the same time, many of them expressed that it felt like being in a “studio,” making it a new and memorable experience for a large number of students.

After the recording and receiving their scores, the students were extremely enthusiastic about earning the trophy.

With permission from administration and staff, I provided pizza and snacks for all of my groups to celebrate afterwards. We listened to our recordings together and discussed the feedback provided by the judges.

Overall, this experience was both rewarding and essential for their personal and educational development. They enjoyed being part of something that involved other schools, especially the opportunity to be included alongside public institutions.”

ACG’s Juvenile Justice programming provides music education and mentoring to youth in juvenile justice settings, including residential detention centers and treatment facilities. Through group guitar classes led by ACG Teaching Artists, these programs foster a sense of personal success and accomplishment while providing a positive outlet for personal expression.

This is a rare opportunity for students in these facilities and we feel so proud and grateful to see such success in Noe’s program.

Community Centered Art-Making is a vibrant expression of our mission to inspire individuals in the communities we serve through musical experiences of deep personal significance. 

Led by ACG’s Education and Artistic teams with the help of local and international artists and partners, this effort is always about designing opportunities for members of our community to be creative and to express their experience.

If you’re curious about the depth of this effort, check out our Community Centered Art-Making page where we share the details of some of our all original, deeply collaborative works here.

Earlier this month we had the pleasure of hosting French guitarist, Gaëlle Solal, for a week-long residency where she worked collaboratively within our Education programs visiting multiple schools, Juvenile Justice programs, held masterclasses, and made recordings with the ACG Youth Orchestra before performing three concerts for our Live at The Rosette series. 

We captured a video diary of what Gaëlle’s week entailed and we’re so excited to share it with you. We hope you enjoy her lively personality as much as we did. Enjoy 

On Saturday, March 14, we visited the First American Museum where we had a beautiful performance and had the opportunity to learn about the art, history and culture of the 39 indigenous tribes of Oklahoma. This was particularly special as we performed a piece by a Navajo composer, Connor Chee (Navajo Vocable no.9) as arranged by ACG’s Artistic Director and ACGYO Director, Joe Williams.

We took a trip to the Myriad Botanical gardens and learned all about some amazing vegetation from around the world. Also interacted with a sweet koi fish pond.

Later that evening we connected with the OkCU guitar studio and Matt Denman where we played at the OCU Smith Chapel. The OCU studio collaborated with ACGYO on Joe’s piece, Les Deux Jumeaux. We shared the stage and filled the room with love and art.

We wrapped up our tour on Sunday, March 15 by departing OKC and headed straight to the Dallas Museum of Art.

We performed in the Atrium there for all the locals and it was so well received. It was inspiring to perform in a place surrounded by so much amazing art!

Special thank you to our partners who helped us make this happen:

BONUS:

Just before departing for their tour, the ACGYO created a wonderful recording of Navajo Vocable #9 by Connor Chee at the ACC Highland recording studio. Watch below! 

Sights and Sounds of Wonder

A sound and art installation from the Polar Regions of Earth

The Rosette is honored to host a captivating new photography exhibit and sound installation by photographer Joaquin Delgado in collaboration with composer Mike Vernusky. This spring 2026 installation includes 12 breathtaking images by Delgado captured in the earth’s polar regions, alongside Vernusky’s Polar Symphony created from sounds he personally recorded in the arctic. Artist statements are below as well as an on-demand recording of Vernusky’s Polar Symphony ’Time on the Verge of Collapse’ and web-resolution versions of Delgado’s 12 photographs. If you would like to support ACG’s commitment to the creation and curation of new art, click here.

Artist Statement
Joaquin Delgado, Photographer

Being in the polar regions is immersing one self in a world defined by the solid form of water.  Water, clouds, snow, and ice interplay with everything as they mutate back and forth from liquid to solid to vapor.  Snow and ice take different forms and shapes. Light gets diffracted and reflected into different hues and colors by the snow, water and ice. Habitats and the rhythms and cicles of life in the polar regions are ruled by these physical transitions.

The beauty of these vast polar regions and the life they hold keep  bringing  me back year after year to capture photographically this beauty.

Matt Hinsley made me aware of Mike Vernusky’s project to record the sounds in the Arctic region and suggested to do an exhibit together. Within seconds of starting to listen Mike’s recordings, I jumped at Matt’s idea of Mike and I doing an exhibit together. It was exciting, Mike had capture the element missing from each and all of my photographs: the sounds that were part of the scenes I had photographed. His work and my work  complement each other and together they create a fascinating experience.

I hope that listening to Mike’s “Polar Symphony” while looking at my photographs from the Arctic and the Antarctic regions will allow each person to immerse for few moments into these unique regions of our world and safely get  lost in their beauty.

My thanks to Matt for having the idea of creating this exhibit and providing the venue for it.

Artist Statement
Mike Vernusky, Composer

This past March, I participated in The Arctic Circle, a mobile artist residency in which, for two uninterrupted weeks, I lived aboard a barquentine ship while circumnavigating Svalbard. Making twice-daily excursions deep into the Arctic to record sound, I was among thirty artists working across a wide range of disciplines, and one of only two focused exclusively on electronic sound.

The Arctic proved to be one of the most demanding environments I have ever recorded in—and, at the same time, it was the experience of a lifetime. On our first night at sea, a school of beluga whales pierced the stillness, allowing me to lower hydrophones into the water and capture their vocal exchanges.
Nearly every day, a glacier strained at its edge before giving way to collapse, irrevocably reshaping the landscape. These events arrived without warning; the challenge was to already be listening and recording when they did. Upon returning, I began assembling an archive of these recordings, so they might be experienced by others. The process unfolded over several months, driven by an urgency to preserve a sound that still resonated vividly in my memory. And yet, despite how closely the sounds aligned with those internal impressions, something essential remained absent: a visual counterpart.

This led me to the work of Joaquin Delgado, a fellow Arctic explorer whose photographic practice spans the High Arctic and Antarctica. From my first encounter with Joaquin’s images, it was clear that our approaches were already in dialogue—each revealing something latent in the other through a kind of third lens. My hope for this installation is that when combined, these sounds and images will invite you to inhabit these moments: to listen, to look, and to immerse yourself in the Arctic as we experienced it.