AFA

Meet Mozart Duck, AFA’s official Bayou City Duck Race mascot! 🦆

“People think my job is just posing for pictures and making surprise appearances, but I love cheering on our incredible young musicians and my friends swimming in the Bayou City Duck Race!”

Ready to adopt your ducks? Support the Bayou City Duck Race today at the link in our bio! 💛

🎻 Applications are now open for AFA’s Composition Studies Fall 2026 Session!

Open to students in grades 6–12 at any experience level, Composition Studies gives young composers the opportunity to create original music while learning one-on-one from professional composers and musicians. ✨

Students develop their musical voice through personalized lessons, collaborative workshops, and live reading sessions with professional musicians before hearing their original works performed. 🎶

🗓 Fall Session: September 5 – November 21, 2026

‼️ APPLY TODAY: https://afatexas.org/program/composition-studies/

🎻 Applications are now open for AFA’s Chamber Music Academy Fall 2026 Session!

Open to string, woodwind, brass, and piano students, CMA offers young musicians the chance to grow in small, customized ensembles guided by AFA Teaching Artists 🎶

It’s an opportunity to build confidence, sharpen musical skills, and connect through collaboration 🤝

🗓 Fall Session: September 5 – November 21, 2026

‼️ Apply today! https://afatexas.org/programs/chamber-music-academy-overview/

Hear from a proud AFA alum! 🎉

Ella Kaale is an AFA alum who attended the Summer Music Festival’s Composition program for two summers. She first became involved with AFA through the year-round Composition program in 2017 and later returned as an AFA Alumni Intern in 2022.Through her time at AFA, she discovered a supportive community that helped shape her musical journey and fostered her passion for composition.

When you give to the Play It Forward Fund, you’re helping provide student scholarships, access to world-class music instruction, and transformative opportunities that make programs like AFA possible.

As we celebrate 31 years of changing lives through music, help us reach our $31,000 goal by July 31! 🎉

‼️ Every gift makes an impact. DONATE TODAY: https://givebutter.com/NsmItB

🎹 A summer of music, growth, and unforgettable performances!

This summer, 33 talented pianists in grades 3–12 joined us for the AFA Piano Arts Intensive and Piano Arts Workshop, where they explored every aspect of collaborative and solo performance.

From beautiful solo repertoire and piano duets to chamber music and even performing with orchestra, our students spent the summer building confidence, refining their artistry, and creating lasting friendships through music.

Congratulations to all of our pianists and faculty on an incredible summer. We can’t wait to see where your musical journey takes you next! 💙🎶

🎶 That’s a wrap on the 2026 AFA Summer Music Festival! 💙

What an incredible summer filled with beautiful music, unforgettable performances, lifelong friendships, and so many memories. We are so proud of every student, teaching artist, staff member, and family who made this summer so special.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking back on each session with recaps highlighting the amazing accomplishments of our students. In the meantime, enjoy these behind-the-scenes photos submitted by our students, capturing the fun, friendships, and memories that made this summer one to remember. 🎉

Thank you for being part of another incredible AFA Summer Music Festival. We can’t wait to see you next summer! 🎻🎹🎼

🎶 What a Saturday at the AFA Summer Music Festival!

Featuring inspiring piano recitals and outstanding String Institute performances, this last Saturday was a wonderful celebration of creativity, collaboration, and musical excellence.

As we closed out the String Institute and Piano Arts Workshop, our students showcased the incredible growth, artistry, and confidence they developed throughout the session. Every performance reflected weeks of dedication, hard work, and a shared love of music.

We are so proud of every student and Teaching Artist who made these concerts such a memorable conclusion to an incredible summer. Thank you to everyone who joined us to support these talented young musicians. Bravo to all on an unforgettable day! 💙🎻🎹

🎶 We’re almost there!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our AFA community, we’ve raised $21,000 toward our $31,000 goal for the 31st Anniversary Play It Forward Campaign.

Every gift helps provide life-changing musical opportunities for the next generation of young artists.

‼️ DONATE HERE: https://givebutter.com/NsmItB

🎻 95% of AFA students receive financial assistance through the Play It Forward Fund, helping cover tuition, instruments, and private lessons. Your support makes it possible for more than 3,000 young musicians each year to learn, grow, and thrive through music.

We’re so close to reaching our goal before July 31. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue making music education accessible to students across our community.

Join us in helping every student have the opportunity to play it forward. 💙

🔗 Donate today through the link in our bio.