When you took your shower today did you think about where the water came from? The source of it? Probably Not. There’s at least one arts organization in Austin, Forklift Danceworks, led by Allison Orr, who wants you to know and maybe learn how to help keep the clean water flowing.
While we all get accustomed to Classical Music in ColorS, let’s move on to Segment 2 of 2 of the October 2025 edition.
This time we’re talking about a woman who was, most likely, the first African American hired by an American mainstream orchestra, the 93-year-old South Bend, Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
Her name is Rosemary Sanders, whose name and some of her history was found as many items are, hidden in the orchestra’s archives.
This discovery shocked Dr. Marvin Curtis, the head of Arts Equity and Public Art in South Bend and Justus Zimmerman, of the Austin, Texas Symphony, formerly of the South Bend Symphony orchestra.
Both men decided to produce a documentary about Sanders called Invisible Player. It focuses on Sanders and other Black classical musicians, some of whom who are still facing difficulties.
RAMPD. It’s the latest indication that disabled musicians are emerging as bonafide able musicians.
The Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities was started in 2021. Two handicapped musicians got tired of venues that were not ADA compliant. Founders Gaelynn Lea and Lachi also got tired of those who couldn’t see past the musician’s disability.
Watch Gaelynn play the violin and sing here.
Keep in mind that this month is the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th.
We’re introducing you again to composer/singer Molly Joyce. She’s the disabled musician who has been featured on Staccato before. You can hear it here.
This Julliard grad returns with a new album STATE CHANGE with an unusual lyrical content: That of her medical records regarding the near decade long treatment for her disabled left hand. The music is all her compositions via some new technology she had to learn to use to make this album.
Molly Joyce is releasing the new album in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.
Every year Art Spark Texas chooses five or more artists who are disabled as winners of their annual awards.
Celia Hughes, Executive Director, says the categories range from Artist of the Year Award, the Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award, the Creative Veteran Service Award and several others.
In this Staccato, we focus on the 2025 SPARK Award winner Zachary LaViola of Austin whose autism and other issues does not prevent him from being a classical pianist.
There’s also filmmaker Matthew Alaniz, of Austin, TX, who is recognized as an artist who elevates disability awareness through digital or media art. You can see one of his movies “Ten To One” here.
Celia Hughes & Matthew Alaniz
Art Spark is now calling for Submissions for the 16th Annual Distinguished Artist Veterans Exhibit.
Another Austin, Texas arts organization has lost its NEA grant.
However, the Tapestry Dance Company is taking it, in as much stride as possible.
Instead of their annual 3 day tap extravaganza, the Soul 2 Sole Festival, they are holding a one-day event.
Acia Gray, the Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Tapestry Dance Company, says they are treating the Tap Jam as a fundraiser for 2026 including their silent auction.
They are also hoping the event on June 18th will act as a salve for the tap-dancing community.
This is a very exciting time for the Texas State International Piano Festival. They are holding this year’s event in Seoul, South Korea. It is the first time they will be “off campus” for the 15 year old competition.
It’s usually held at Texas State University in San Marcos, but it’s always been a dream of the co-founder Dr. Jason Kwak and some of his colleagues, Dr. SungEun Park and Dr. Martin Kesuma to hold the competition in Seoul.
The Texas State International Piano Festival gets underway June 24th and runs until July 6th.
There will be many honors this Memorial Day week for the military men and women who lost their lives while serving their country. Music will be a large part of that.
One of them is the world premiere recording of the opera An American Soldier. It’s the true story of the young Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen who committed suicide because he was beaten every day by his fellow soldiers and a superior officer during his service in Afghanistan.
There is also a new version of Symphony For Vietnam Veterans. Composer and retired U.S. Army Captain James Kimo Williams has released a string orchestra version of his orchestral piece about his time in war.
A Cancer diagnosis changes everything.
Pianist Yoko Misumi knows that first hand, which led to the album she and her colleague from the Greenwich Trio, cellist Heather Tuach curated and produced. It’s called IN THE MIRROR, an emotional journey born of reflection, healing, and hope.
There are original works and new arrangements by 11 composers, all women on the album. They include Jennifer Higdon, Dobrinka Tabakova and Jessie Montgomery.
Applications are now open for the La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors. It takes place in Paris every two years. It is a competition that is fast becoming THE place where women conductors can be seen, heard, and hired. Even for those who don’t win or place, there’s an Academy co-directed by the Philharmonie de Paris and the Paris Mozart Orchestra led by Claire Gibault and Olivier Mantei.
The percentage of women conductors has increased worldwide to 8%. A big increase considering it was only 4.3% in 2018. It still wasn’t enough for Gibault. She started the competition to increase the visibility of women conductors and to showcase their talent.
The competition is also the subject of a documentary Maestra, now streaming on Netflix.