The waitlist at The Hollywood Arts Collective is now open and accepting applications! To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, click here.
The Hollywood Arts Collective is a 152-unit, income and rent restricted affordable housing property for the arts and entertainment community. The building has three resident gardens and courtyards with a BBQ, resident terraces, laundry facilities, fitness room, community room with full kitchen and pool table, and other tenant amenities.
The Los Angeles Ballet, which closed a successful run of “The Nutcracker” at the Dolby Theatre, recently ratified their new successor collective bargaining agreement with AFM 47 on December 27, 2025.
“The Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra Committee is thrilled to have ratified this CBA in collaboration with LA Ballet management and is excited to be a part of this innovative ballet company,” Marcia Dickstein, harpist and orchestra committee chair.
“I am very pleased to have completed this negotiation,” said previous AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe, who just stepped down in January 2026. “This new agreement clearly highlights LA Ballet’s commitment to the magic combination of live music and dance.”
The League of American Orchestras is hosting a webinar regarding new rules under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora , aka CITES. Know if your bow is in compliance before you travel.
The panel of speakers includes AFM Director of Symphonic Services Division Rochelle Skolnick .
You may use this link to register for this free webinar scheduled for February 10th.
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is excited to once again be hosting a booth at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants Show, the industry’s largest stage uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology communities.
Find AFM at Booth 9007, Hall B during the event’s three exhibit days, January 22-24 (view map).
Snag your 2026 NAMM badge here.
Photo by Linda A. Rapka // AFM International President Tino Gagliardi stands with the YOLA Teaching Artists at the headquarters of Local 47 on December 8, following their filing for union representation.
Last month, teaching artists at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) won union representation by AFM Local Local 47.
YOLA at Torres, a performing arts magnet school in East LA, and YOLA at Inglewood teaching artists at the Beckmen YOLA Center were the first to receive recognition from the National Labor Relations Board in early December. YOLA at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles), located in the Rampart district, followed with an overwhelming majority vote of its teaching artists the following week. Continue reading
Thank you to Life Member Sheldon Mehr for his generous donation of a Yamaha Synthesizer and hand-crafted wooden music table to the Rehearsal Rooms!
Our Rehearsal Rooms continue to appreciate all backline donations, especially:
For more information and to book a room, please visit afm47.org/rehearsals.
by Linda A. Rapka
Since founding the Kadima Conservatory of Music in 1983, AFM Local 47 member Beth Elliott has been active as its music director, dedicated to providing music education to underprivileged youth from underrepresented communities. The Conservatory has been operating in Pacoima for over a decade and has over 300 students of all ages enrolled in private lessons, three symphonic orchestras, chamber music, student recitals, and a mentoring program.
However, their efforts have been severely impacted by widespread operations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which continue to threaten our immigrant communities. Continue reading
Los Angeles, CA [January 6, 2026] — Members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 have elected a new slate of titled officers to lead the union into its next chapter. Marc Sazer will assume the Presidency, with John Acosta returning as Vice President and Gail Kruvand continuing in her role as Secretary/Treasurer. All three officers ran unopposed.
Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.
For exclusive members-only Overture content — Executive Board minutes, CBAs, Local 47 Wage Scales, Bylaws, Suspended/Expelled member lists, and more — log in to your new E2 member account at ensemble.afm47.org and browse the “Overture” section on the Documents page. (New to E2? Visit our E2 FAQ here.)
