The Dancers of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) have signed cards to form a union and join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Established in 1969, Dance Theatre of Harlem holds the distinction of being the first Black classical ballet company. Formerly an AGMA company, DTH closed its doors in 2004 and resumed operations in 2012 as a non-union company. "The Dancers of Dance Theatre of Harlem are united and ready to become a part of AGMA again,” said Griff Braun, AGMA’s National Organizing Director. “The full membership of the American Guild of Musical Artists stands in support of their unionizing efforts, and we believe that this collective step will contribute to positive change within the dance community at lar... Read More -->

AGMA recently participated in a first-of-its-kind summit co-hosted by the White House Domestic Policy Council and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Summit, Healing, Bridging, and Thriving, was held in D.C. on January 30. It served as a platform for government agencies and entertainment unions to delve into discussions on the crucial topic of arts funding and its role in cultivating a resilient arts and humanities sector. Ned Hanlon, AGMA President, shared thoughts on the summit: "We applaud the NEA and the White House Domestic Policy Council for holding this important summit on arts funding. It was inspiring to see so many different stakeholders in one place, and a reminder of the Biden-Harris Administration's commi... Read More -->

This Black History Month, AGMA takes great pride in paying tribute to the legacy of past Black AGMA members, celebrating the outstanding advocacy and artistry of our current Black leaders and members, and supporting Black AGMA Artists of the future. The exceptional talent and artistry displayed by Black AGMA Artists across the nation have yielded remarkable contributions to the arts and to our industries, profoundly enriching our community and serving as a powerful source of inspiration for us all. We also celebrate the Black leaders of our union. Your unwavering dedication, whether it be within your shops as union delegates, on negotiating committees, as part of the AGMA Black Caucus or AGMA’s new I.D.E.A. Subcommittee, or on the ... Read More -->

In June 2023, AGMA announced the Union's new President, Officers, and Governors. The award-winning Summer 2023 issue of AGMAzine featured interviews with President Ned Hanlon and Officers J. Austin Bitner, Brian August, Helena Brown, Antuan Byers, Eric Ferring, Andres Garcia, Katharine Goeldner, Cameo Humes, and Jennifer Wallace. Now, as part of our AGMAzine Spotlight Series, we will be featuring these union leaders every Wednesday. Today, we spotlight Brian August, AGMA's Staging Staff Vice President. “I first ran for the Board over two years ago because it was important to me that Staging Staff had someone representing them who was receptive to all issues and who would advocate for necessary change. Coming out of the... Read More -->

Ballet Faculty at The School of American Ballet (SAB) have taken a historic step by signing union cards to join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). This marks a groundbreaking moment for AGMA as it organizes dance educators for the first time. Expressing enthusiasm about this significant development, Griff Braun, AGMA’s National Organizing Director, stated, "This is a significant moment for both AGMA and the dance education community. I believe the unity and commitment shown by the SAB ballet faculty will pave the way for a new era in our union." Founded in 1934 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, and affiliated with the New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet is a renowned institution providing... Read More -->

Area Committee Elections: The self-nomination period starts on January 29. Area Committees are an essential part of AGMA. As you know, AGMA functions as a nationwide union, operating without a system of locals. Membership Areas serve as the framework for fostering connections among members across various locations. They also provide a pathway for extensive member involvement in our union. Simply put, strong Area Committees help us build power in our shops, at the bargaining table, and across the country. To self-nominate to be on your Area Committee, please complete the form that was emailed to Area Members in good standing on January 29 (members should receive this information around 1:00 p.m. ET). All forms are due by no ... Read More -->

The grace period for AGMA Members to submit their 2024 basic annual dues without late fees ends January 31. Invoices were sent on or around November 17. Members should submit their dues to remain an AGMA member in good standing and avoid future reinstatement fees! Members must remain in good standing to participate at all levels of the Union. This means staying up to date on all payments and installment plans. To engage in negotiations, vote on contracts, attend caucus or committee meetings, receive important emails, access MyAGMA, and vote, nominate, or run as a candidate in union elections, it is essential that members remain in good standing. TO SUBMIT DUES: Members currently in good standing may&nbs... Read More -->

On Monday, January 22, 2024, AGMA President Ned Hanlon, National Executive Director Sam Wheeler, National Organizing Director Griff Braun, and Director of Communications Alicia Cook delivered a State of the Union report to the AGMA Board of Governors at its monthly meeting.   It was recorded so the entire membership could be made aware of the many achievements of 2023, as well as learn more about what can be expected in 2024.  To access the members-only recording, log in to MyAGMA and choose "AGMA Webinars" from the MyAGMA dropdown menu.  ... Read More -->

In June 2023, AGMA announced the Union's new President, Officers, and Governors. The award-winning Summer 2023 issue of AGMAzine featured interviews with President Ned Hanlon and Officers J. Austin Bitner, Brian August, Helena Brown, Antuan Byers, Eric Ferring, Andres Garcia, Katharine Goeldner, Cameo Humes, and Jennifer Wallace. Now, as part of our AGMAzine Spotlight Series, we will be featuring these union leaders every Wednesday. Today, we spotlight Helena Brown, AGMA's Choristers, Actors, and Staff Performers Vice President. “I first ran for the Board two years ago to be a high vibe force for good while constantly being at the table and involved nationally. As your Officer, I will continue to favor action over perfecti... Read More -->

The AGMA Opera and Concert Choristers Caucus will host "Navigating Ageism and Vocal Health: A Real Talk on the Complexities of Auditioning and Career Longevity" on Monday, January 29, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. Joining as guest speaker is Karen Brunssen, Professor of Music at the Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University.  Professor Brunssen teaches voice and is Co-Chair of Music Performance. She is a frequent teacher, clinician, and adjudicator for organizations, colleges, and universities throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Her book, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Life Span, chronicles how changes in respiration, vibration and resonance impact realistic, age-appropriate expec... Read More -->