Onward!

2014 will be an amazing year at Austin Classical Guitar. 

Our spring International Series has artists from Russia, Belgium and China – including the return of some of our absolute favorites! Announcement: Classical Cactus will feature, in April, mega-talent from Paris Judicael Perroy!  (You heard it here first!)  And Austin Guitar Salon moves into modern homes later this spring – so stay tuned!  Finally for the spring, FlamencoAustin presents superstar flamenco genius Tomatito in March.  Tomatito, the week before Thanksgiving, just won a Latin Grammy for his newest album.  You must not miss his Austin debut!

Ah yes.  And speaking of Grammy winners, on February 8th the LA Guitar Quartet is back in town to perform for our Guitars Under the Stars Education Gala!  Valet parking, open bar, delicious dinner and desserts, and the LAGQ in an intimate venue with all proceeds benefiting ACG education.  See you there!

But so much more will happen in 2014!  Here’s a teeny taste:

      Our Education Program will serve more kids than ever before – 1,000’s more.

            (watch a 6-minute documentary about ACG education)

      Our curriculum and training will reach 100’s of new teachers around the world.

      Our adult Community Guitarist Ensembles will grow, play more, perform more!

      Our Youth Orchestra will premiere a major new work by Joseph V. Williams II!

The magic happens at Austin Classical Guitar because of our incredible team.  In the last few weeks, after a year that saw our most expanded-ever operations, our first-ever national teacher training, and so much more, we had a few super-duper holiday excursions.  The first, pictured here, was a party at our Director of Events, Julie Stoakley’s, home.

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ACG staff members pictured above are (we’re all holding gifts from a mystery gift exchange):

Back row, left to right: Toby Rodriguez (Educator, Elementary Specialist), Joe Williams (Composer in Residence/ACYO Director), Matt Hinsley (Executive Director, wearing the Santa Hat), Jeremy Osborne (Assistant Director of Education & Outreach), Julie Stoakley (Director of Events) & Eric Pearson (Educator, Director of Community Guitarists).  Middle row, far right: April Long (Director of Development).  Front Row, left: Travis Marcum (Director of Education and Outreach).

Our second major outing, referred to fondly as “Hatscursion” began at Home Slice Pizza on South Congress, before strolling over to Goorin’s Hat Store where everyone chose a hat!

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ACG Staff members here, who were not in the first picture, are:

Back row, fourth from left: Tom Echols (Insights Instructor), Back row, second from right: James Fidlon (Director of Operations) & Front Row, left: Samantha Brenner (ACGYO Assistant Director, Events Coordinator).

We have a big vision for 2014 – and beyond.  I know I (Matt) speak for the whole team when I say how thankful we are to our unbelievably dedicated board of directors – led by President Kendal Gladish, and our members, donors, sponsors and institutional partners who believe in our work and trust us with valuable resources year after year.  

We hope we will continue to make you proud!