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
Special Moments: Juvenile Justice Reflection by Angelica Campbell
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.
We are having our May 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.
In my time at ACG, both as a student and now as Director of Communications, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing transformation through music many times. Nowhere is it more profound than in our Juvenile Justice center concerts, and so when I got the date for our spring concert at the Williamson County facility I raised my hand to go. I and many other members of our community had the opportunity to see the group and wow, what an opportunity.
About twenty of us went through security, and then eight more magnetic doors down various hallways before we finally entered the gym where six residents sat anxiously at the head of the room, guitars in hand. We sat on the right side of the gym while other residents, some family, and a handful of staff members sat on the left side of the gym. It was a full house!
Hector Aguilar, ACG’s Director of Juvenile Justice Education and teacher at Williamson County, was sitting amongst the performers as we entered. When he stood to greet the audience, he expressed his pride and gratitude for his students and the admirable work and dedication it took to prepare their spring concert; the students beside him stared at the large crowd that came just to hear them. You could see that they were both nervous and excited.
The concert consisted of a mix of solos, trios, quartets, and full ensemble performances. It was beautiful. It was profound.
Not only was the music, their connection to Hector, and their musicality amongst each other so wonderful to witness, the energy each member of the ensemble carried was inspirational.
When the first soloist performed, you could physically and energetically see an extraordinary shift. When his turn was up, he looked up at the other residents and staff, he looked over at the crowd from ACG, he looked at Hector, introduced the piece he was playing, and then finally he looked down at his fingers and took a breath. He played beautifully. His demeanor lightened as he heard himself playing well; he was thoughtful and musical. When he finished, he stopped the ringing of his instrument and looked up at the cheering crowd with a huge smile on his face.
Every performance went in a similar manner. The nerves eased, faces lit up across the ensemble, there was excitement and celebration in every corner of the room. It was a joy to experience.
The impact of an experience like this is immeasurable. As a musician who went through ACG’s guitar program at Crockett High School, I have felt firsthand the impact of working towards a creative goal, performing for a supportive audience, and feeling inspired to follow that feeling in every area of my life.
For these young people, many of whom have faced significant adversity, this concert was more than just a performance. It was a moment of triumph, a chance to be seen and heard, to express themselves in a way that words often fail to capture.
Experiences like this build confidence, a sense of accomplishment and pride. It goes beyond the notes they played and the applause they received; it touches their hearts and minds, fostering growth, healing, and hope.
I’m so grateful I got to witness such a special moment.
I asked Hector if he could share a few words about his experience working with these students and what the journey towards this moment was like. He shared,
“For three years now, I've been incredibly fortunate to work with the talented students at the Williamson County Detention Center, guiding them through the beautiful journey of making music together. Each day we meet, we immerse ourselves in music, and their commitment and progress are truly remarkable. The weeks leading up to the concert were filled with a mix of excitement and nerves, but witnessing their journey from uncertainty to absolute focus on stage was nothing short of inspiring. Watching the students transform from nervous beginners to confident performers was nothing short of magical. It was a reminder of the incredible resilience and talent within each of them. One of the most unforgettable moments for me was seeing a student, who once doubted they'd ever have this opportunity, shine on stage with pride and focus. It's moments like these that remind me of the profound impact music can have. This work moves me deeply because it highlights how music can transform lives, offering growth, self-discovery, and a sense of accomplishment. It’s a joy and an honor to witness how music helps them discover their potential and connect with something greater. This is why I love what I do.”
Learn more about our Juvenile Justice Education programs here. Support ACG here.
This Week: Spy Kids in GuitarCurriculum
We’re thrilled to announce that, this fall, music from Robert Rodriguez’s global cinematic sensations, Spy Kids, will be added to ACG’s GuitarCurriculum. GuitarCurriculum powers guitar classrooms all across the world, and we can’t wait for students everywhere to be inspired by this fun and exciting music.
This summer, we’re even creating a music video directed by Robert Rodriguez with nineteen amazing young players performing the new arrangement. In June we’re recording audio at Music Hill Studio, before filming at The Long Center. We’ll release the video soon!
We would like to thank Robert Rodriguez and Troublemaker Studios for his incredibly generous donation of both the music and his time, expertise, and film crew to make this project possible.
We’re deeply grateful for the support of Rod Hairston, Reginald Carter, Luke Torvinen, and everyone at Music Hill Studio and Music Hill Ranch. Special thanks to the Long Center and McCallum High School.
The Spy Kids arrangement for guitar ensemble was made by Rick Del Castillo and Matthew Lyons. On the ACG team, huge thanks to Matt Hinsley, Todd Waldron, Tony Mariano, and Jeremy Roye.
Our deepest thanks go to director Andrew Clark and the following amazing students and families: Sebastian Banks, Satvik Chawla, Nathan Dart, Paul Devens, Beck Hartman, Benjamin Johnson, Ethan Kuhlken, Mason Michulka, Ace Pearson, Teddy McCoy, Noah Melendrez, Nima Moin, Emily Piper, Sydney Piper, Juan Rodriguez, Regan Sims, Jaden Tao, and Jianna Zamora. Huge thanks to the film crew: Brian Bettwy, Luis Caffesse, Shiraz Jafri, Todd Smiley, Chris Smith, Joe Vasquez, and Steve Wilson, and to photographer Christina Castro.

2022-23 Javier Niño Scholarship Recipients: Aaron Degante & Juan Rodriguez
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 2022-23 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.
This week we had the opportunity to speak with Javier Niño Recipients, Aaron Degante from McCallum High School and Juan Rodriguez from Crockett High School and learn a little more about them.
“I started my guitar journey in 6th grade at Lamar Middle School. I had never really been introduced to the instrument before that, I found it on my own. Guitar means a lot of different things to me; It’s one of my proudest skills, a stress reliever, my biggest passion, and much more. Guitar has become a big part of my life and I love it. So many opportunities have opened up to me because of the guitar. Opportunities that I never thought I’d get.
I see the Javier Niño Scholarship as an amazing opportunity to improve myself as a guitarist. I’ll be able to hone my self-taught skills with my teacher and learn new ones too! I’m still shocked about the whole thing and am excited for the new doors that come with it.
When I play guitar, I feel a sort of magical feeling. Like I can feel the music I’m playing, the emotion it’s trying to convey, like the music presence itself. Whenever I play guitar, I empty my mind. I think of nothing but reading the music. It’s really nice not thinking about what stresses me out.
One day, I want to be chilling on a porch as an old man, and playing the guitar for my grandchildren as they watch in excitement.” - Aaron Degante
Aaron plans on attending Texas State University after his graduation and major in Physiotherapy with a minor in guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYXbjLdhKDI
“I have been playing the guitar since 6th grade when I signed up for it as one of my electives at Bedichek Middle School and have stuck with it ever since. I really fell in love with the guitar and all its aspects. Being in guitar has introduced me to a whole community of people. I have met my best friends and people that I consider to be family because of the guitar. I am very grateful for the instrument because it has brought me close to wonderful people and experiences.
Whenever I play the guitar, I feel at home. I feel at peace because I can just have fun and express myself freely. One of my favorite memories with the guitar was when I played a guitar and violin duet at The Rosette last semester. I felt so calm and I fell in love with the piece that we played. Everything that happened that day made me feel so appreciative because it was filled with friendship, fun, and being able to perform the hard work that I put into the music.
I have also been in the mariachi program at school for almost 5 years and fell in love with it just as much. Playing in those ensembles with other people requires communication and creates a musical connection because you need to click together to make the music click. In my case, those connections grew to become my best friends.
I am very honored to receive the Javier Niño Scholarship because to me, it means that I am being given an opportunity to show who I am and that I have people who believe in me.
I plan on going to college after I graduate high school. It has always been my dream to pursue something creative and artistic. I plan on studying guitar performance or music education because I love this world that I have been part of.
For me, A perfect future with the guitar would be mainly playing in a band, every weekend, for the majority of my life. I love performing and if I can spend the rest of my life having fun playing my guitar, I think that’d be a fun life.” - Juan Rodriguez
Juan plans to apply to UT Austin, UT San Antonio, and Texas state for guitar and Mariachi performance and music education.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNv9xBA7dXA
Learn more about the Javier Niño Scholarship here.
Read a beautiful reflection from Live Middle School's Guitar Director, Meredith McAlmon here.
Lively Middle School: A Reflection from Meredith McAlmon
We at ACG believe that music has the power to change the world. Having artists visit our local school programs is one of our favorite things to do when we have the opportunity to. Seeing a great performer can be a life-changing and inspiring experience for both young people and adults alike. Here is a beautiful reflection from Guitar Director, Meredith McAlmon, at Lively Middle School.
On September 22nd Joseph Palmer came to Lively Middle School and gave a presentation and performance of guitar solos ranging from beginning level to advanced.
He talked to the students about each piece before playing it, gave them a chance to choose pieces from an extensive program, and answered questions. He played for Caitlin Landolt’s Advanced Guitar class and then for my class.
I teach a beginning guitar class made up of fifteen 6th grade boys and three 6th grade girls, and they were spellbound.
Joseph played and talked for an hour and a half, and when it was getting close to the end of class the students all insisted on getting his autograph. They had him signing programs, binders, backpacks, and even a forehead!
They have not stopped talking about him and keep asking when he is coming back. They talk about the different pieces he played, and they all are looking forward to playing “Epiphany” – a special favorite from the selections.
I noticed a definite increase in their focus in class after Joseph’s visit. He was so generous with his time, and even stayed to play a piece for my Advisory class (a non-music class) that meets right after my guitar class.
Joseph’s visit brought a lot of joy into these young people’s lives. This morning as this class was getting started, one of my students gave a poignant sigh and said “I wish Dr. Palmer was here. It has already been so long”. (I will say she gave me a hug after she said that. All is not lost….)
Again – my heartfelt thanks go out to Austin Classical guitar and Joseph Palmer for making this happen for my students. You make a difference in their lives!

ACG Education
It’s our 2022 Fall Fund Drive! This year, ACG has a goal of raising $50,000 by Opening Night with Grisha on Sept. 24, in support of ACG Education. It’s because of our community and supporters that we are able to create meaningful connections through music. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.








WORLD PREMIERE: Do What's In Your Heart with Clarice Assad

We are thrilled to partner with Tribeza Magazine for the live premiere of Do What’s in Your Heart, a mini-documentary chronicling triple Grammy-nominee Clarice Assad’s artist residency during ACG’s 21-22 season.
Tribeza Magazine will be hosting the screening on Thursday, August 18 at 7pm CT live on their website. (Link will not be live until Thursday)
Your questions and comments are welcome through ACG YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram, and will be answered in real time during the event.
Since 2001 ACG has established for-credit guitar education programs in more than 50 central Texas schools, including five juvenile detention facilities and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. These programs bring music into the lives of thousands of young people every year. In Austin ISD, guitar is now the second highest enrolled music course after band.
Do What’s In Your Heart shares the story behind the musical work Ms. Assad co-created with 50 students from around the city. The 32-minute film includes a performance of that work by a student orchestra, as well as a reimagined version by guitarist Jorge Caballero and the Miro String Quartet.
Do What’s In Your Heart is a celebration of community, collaboration, musical inspiration, and artistic freedom, created by our community for our community.
Special thanks to ACG’s Artistic Director Joe Williams, Education Director Travis Marcum, Northshore Media’s Kevin Chin, Clarice Assad, all the musicians, parents and students, and everyone else who helped make this year-long project possible.
Clarice Assad’s 21-22 Artist Residency was generously sponsored by atsec information security.
Dream Big: Springfest at Bedichek Middle with Phil Swasey
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 Dream Big spring 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.
Below is a letter from Bedichek Middle School’s Director of Guitar and Mariachi, Phil Swasey, on their most recent performance at their Springfest!
Teaching during a pandemic has challenged many educators to navigate novel and complex issues, ones that still arrive daily in the form of mental health obstacles (teachers and students alike), inequitable outcomes, COVID protocols, when to return to normal program activities, and how to address the impact of separation on our communities.
With the help of some amazing colleagues, Bedichek Middle planned and hosted a community celebration called “Bedichek Springfest”, with the purpose of reconnecting members of our community (families, teachers, PTA, and local businesses). It’s these connections that are vital to a school ecosystem, and ones that have been recently strained.
One major goal of the event was to reconnect with Alumni; students that had gone on after middle school to do incredible things, and bring their successes back to campus. It was an effort not only to celebrate them, but also to provide our current students and teachers with a vision into what our young learners become after middle school.
I spent the early part of the Spring semester reaching out to former guitar students from the last 11 years of the program. The responses that I received when proposing an Alumni Guitar Ensemble were enthusiastic and committed.
Two of the first people I reached out to were Angelica Campbell (Communications Director at ACG), and Rey Rodriguez (Teaching Artist at ACG), and once they were on-board the ensemble really started to take shape. We rehearsed twice in preparation for our performance at Springfest, and those moments together were filled with laughs, goofing around, reminiscing, and most importantly, really beautiful music making. The ensemble itself consisted of siblings (3 pairs), partners, current and former students, and spanned a 12 year age range.
During breaks in the rehearsal we would have structured conversations based on prompts. Answering the question, “What would you go back and tell your middle school self?”, a high school student’s response was, “I would tell myself not to compare myself to others.”.
The evening of the performance was beautiful, the group played well, and so many other students that weren’t able to participate in the ensemble showed up to support and watch. I’m so grateful for all of the students, current and former, that participated.
Below is an excerpt from an 8th graders essay, imagining his first day at college. It’s an amazing testament to the impact that we all have on each other, even when not realizing it.
“I soon realize that college is overwhelming and I have projects already due. I luckily know some people who can help. I go to talk to my teacher, his name is Rey and he tells me about how rough his first day was also. I start to feel better about everything, realizing that I have people to help me get through this.”
– Phil Swasey
