January 2026 Overture E-Magazine: GRAMMY Nominees

Inside This Issue:

  • Cover Story – 2026 GRAMMY Nominees
  • AFM Local 47 2025 General Election Results
  • Inaugural Meeting & Muscians’ Club Annual Meeting: Monday, January 12
  • Meet the Incoming Local 47 Administration
  • Member Spotlight: FINNEAS
  • The Challenges of Teaching Music During the Era of ICE: A conversation with Kadima Conservatory founder Beth Elliott
  • Join AFM at NAMM 2026!
  • Support the American Music Fairness Act
  • AFM Local 47 Welcomes YOLA Teaching Artists
  • Know Your Rights: Protect Yourself Against ICE
  • Benefits Corner: HUB International Insurance
  • Final Notes: Serena Kay Williams, Gordon Goodwin
  • Annual Notice Re: Supreme Court Beck Decision
  • Audition Notices: Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, Long Beach Symphony
  • and more!

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.)

Inaugural Meeting

Inaugural Meeting & Musicians’ Club Annual Meeting: January 12, 2026

Open to all members in good standing

In-Person Location: AFM Local 47, 3220 Winona Ave. Burbank CA 91504
Virtual Location: Zoom

On the Agenda (subject to change):
– Approval of Minutes
– Outgoing Officer Reports
– Installation of New Officers
– Unfinished and New Business
– Presentation of 50-Year Pins

Musicians’ Club of Los Angeles Annual Meeting to immediately follow Inaugural Meeting
Continue reading →

Palm Springs Symphony

Palm Springs Symphony Signs First-Time CBA With AFM Local 47 

Just days before the first concert of their inaugural season, the Palm Springs Symphony signed its first collective bargaining agreement with AFM Local 47, which saw 42 musicians performing on the stage of the newly refurbished Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs on December 7, 2025.

“Thanks to all the members who stepped up, asked the employer for a contract, and worked closely with the Local to bring this contract to fruition,” said AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe. “We were able to reach an agreement less than 72 hours before the first rehearsal. The entire process was a great reminder of what we can accomplish when we all work together.”

Great News for L.A. Renters: LARSO Caps Pass!

In November 2025, the Los Angeles City Council approved an update to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, using a new formula that will set allowable increases for roughly 650,000 units at 4% and remove additional charges for electricity and gas — the most substantive changes to the policy in more than four decades. Continue reading →

AFM Local 47 2025 Election Results

Congratulations to all candidates, and thank you to all members who voted, in our 2025 General Election.

TRUSTEE (3 elected)
Alex Iles – 173
Phil O’Connor – 163
Bonnie Janofsky – 155
Steve Dress – 141

DELEGATE TO THE AFM CONVENTION (3 elected)
Allison Allport – 160
Phil O’Connor – 159
Meredith Snow – 153
Bonnie Janofsky – 140
Continue reading →

Statement From AFM Local 47 Regarding YOLA

We are extremely pleased to announce that the teaching artists at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) at Torres and YOLA at Inglewood are now represented by the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.

We thank the leadership of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association for their continued support of high-quality music for the students, parents, and teaching artists of the East Los Angeles and Inglewood communities.

“There is no way to overestimate the value of music education to a child, to a society, and to a culture,” said AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe. “As a former music educator, I am so happy to support these teaching artists.”

Membership Dues flyer

Membership Dues Increase for 2026

As approved by the membership at our July 2025 General Membership Meeting, membership dues will increase in the New Year:

Regular Member Annual Dues
$220 due January 1

Regular Member Semi-Annual Dues
$115 due January 1 & July 1

Life Member Annual Dues
$115 due January 1

Inactive Life Member Annual Dues
$95 due January 1

Note: Reinstatement fees for suspensions and expulsions have been reduced to $25, down from $75.