The AGMA Board of Governors has approved a side letter with Ballet West that will implement a committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The committee will be made up of six individuals, three of whom will be AGMA Artists at Ballet West. According to the letter, “the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is charged with supporting, recommending, and monitoring key strategic efforts related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. The committee leads engagement on emerging issues, identifies priorities for Ballet West management, and provides guidance to the organization.” The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is intended to: Promote and recommend training and events to bring awareness to DEI in the workpla... Read More -->

REMINDER! All AGMA Singers are invited to a two-part financial planning seminar hosted by the Opera & Concert Choristers Caucus on Monday, March 21, and Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Attending both parts of this complimentary and informative series is highly encouraged. All AGMA Singers in good standing may register for both (or just one) of the sessions here. The OCCC will be joined by Cameron Rahmani, Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual, on March 21, and by Tyrone Dinneen, Financial Advisor, on March 28, who will build upon the first seminar’s foundation. Both presenters will be outlining different key subjects, such as the importance of planning for the future, how to protect assets, and retirement o... Read More -->

Janinah Burnett is a world-renowned performer sought for her timeless and refined vocal quality as well as her candid emotion. One of the few singers to perform roles on both Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera stage, her full-length album Love the Color of your Butterfly was released on February 12, 2021. AGMAzine originally caught up with Burnett in the days leading up to her release and featured her in the Winter 2021 issue of the magazine. She was interviewed by Alicia Cook, AGMA's Director of Communications. Today, we are happy to share the interview again as part of our AGMAzine Spotlight Series. Alicia Cook (AC) for AGMAzine: Thank you so much for finding the time to speak with AGMAzine about what you have been up to the past... Read More -->

It is hard to believe that we are approaching the two-year mark of the unofficial start of the pandemic in the United States. ​Since then, AGMA Artists faced a scary and uncertain future, but never lost hope. The past two years have carried tremendous costs—canceled performances, difficult financial consequences, and, most importantly, the loss of cherished family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. We’ve also suffered a collective trauma, the results of which we’ll be grappling with as a society for a long time to come. It’s important to recognize the way in which we are recovering and healing in our own ways. We’re still standing, together. AGMA Artists have returned to the studio and the stage and a semblance ... Read More -->

This Updated Guidance is based on our Expert Medical Advisory Panel’s assessment of the new CDC Community Risk Level Framework tool and the continuing distinctive risks that COVID-19 poses for our members. The CDC’s Community Risk Level Framework is a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be Low, Medium, or High based on hospital admissions, the total number of beds being used, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in the area. Whether they are making magic happen from backstage or acting, singing, and dancing on the stage, our members face unique challenges in their workplaces. Dropping mask requirements will likely increase the risk to artists from unmas... Read More -->

Joining together in union gives artists the power to shape and improve their workplaces and their industries. The Staging Staff Caucus will host an Organizing 101 presentation on Monday, March 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET. The presentation will focus on organizing new companies as well as organizing new bargaining units within existing AGMA signatory companies. Joining the Caucus is special guest speaker Griff Braun, AGMA's National Organizing Director. Braun will present an overview of union organizing and talk about the opportunities and challenges surrounding the organizing of Directors, Choreographers, Stage Managers, Fight Directors, and all their assistants and associates at both opera and dance companies. All AGM... Read More -->

The pandemic is not over for the Arts. The Illinois Arts Alliance is asking Performing Artists of Illinois to send a letter urging state legislators to dedicate $300 million of the $5.3 BILLION the state received in American Rescue Plan funds over the next three years to the Illinois creative sector. The letter is all set up for you in Action Center already and you can personalize it if you wish! https://artsalliance.org/action-center/ ... Read More -->

A two-part financial planning seminar will be hosted by the Opera & Concert Choristers Caucus on Monday, March 21, and Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Attending both parts of this complimentary and informative series is highly encouraged. All AGMA Singers in good standing may register for both (or just one) of the sessions here. The OCCC will be joined by Cameron Rahmani, Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual, on March 21, and by Tyrone Dinneen, Financial Advisor, on March 28, who will build upon the first seminar’s foundation. Both presenters will be outlining different key subjects, such as the importance of planning for the future, how to protect assets, and retirement options. There will be time for a Q... Read More -->

AGMA Governor and New Orleans resident Julie Condy lived through Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Sixteen years to the day since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Hurricane Ida arrived. In the Fall 2021 issue of AGMAzine, she shared her experience. We are so pleased to highlight this once more as part of our AGMAzine Spotlight Series. August 28, 2021 It's nearly August 29 and time for another major hurricane in New Orleans.  Sixteen years ago, we were still using flip phones and Facebook was a toddler. It took days and weeks following Hurricane Katrina to find out information on the New Orleans Opera Chorus and our family and friends.  Back then, my house in New Orleans was flooded in the great man-made flood thanks to s... Read More -->

Starting this week, U.S. households can order four more free COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government. A notice on the USPS COVID test kit order page states U.S. households “will be able to place a total of two separate orders for free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests (four tests per order).” Whether you previously placed an order during the first round or not, the steps to place an order this time around are the same. Visit https://special.usps.com/testkits, fill out your name and address, and hit “Check Out Now.” Tests ship at no cost to you! NOTE: If you did not place an order before and wish to order all eight tests at once, you won’t be able to get eight tests in a single package — you’ll likely have to go through t... Read More -->