A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote youth music education. In 2023, the Law Rocks Board founded the Music Matters grant, given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our US tour cities. Omi Crawford, Executive Director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:
“Law Rocks has always been about championing nonprofits, especially local organizations that make a real difference in their community. The Music Matters grant deepens that commitment, helping support music education organizations nationwide as they change young lives through the power of music. It’s inspiring and exciting to learn more about each organizations work, truly one of the best things about this work!”
Law Rocks takes its rock battle back to Texas on March 26, 2026, with seven lawyer-led bands rocking Houston’s White Oak Music Hall. We are pleased to be awarding a Music Matters grant to American Festival for the Arts (AFA). AFA was founded to break down the barriers that exist in music education. Read on to learn about the organization and its mission in our Nonprofit Spotlight interview with AFA.
2026 Law Rocks Houston Music Matters Grant Recipient: American Festival for the Arts | Photo by David DeHoyos | Courtesy of CMC.
1) Can you tell us a little about the history of your nonprofit, as well as its mission and focus?
AFA enriches the lives of all people through music. We accomplish this mission by:
Creating programs in nurturing learning environments and fostering a sense of belonging for people from all backgrounds and cultures
Making music a vehicle for social, personal, intellectual, and emotional growth through creative opportunities and innovative collaborations
Maintaining a collective of distinguished Teaching Artists who reflect the communities we serve
AFA (American Festival for the Arts) was founded in 1993 to break down the barriers that exist in music education. We value creativity, individuality, collaboration, and openness and strive to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We are an educational greenhouse where differing ideas, perspectives, and experiences take root and flourish.
Performance from the 2025 AFA Summer Music Festival | Photo by David DeHoyos | Courtesy of AFA.
2) What is the best example of the way you’ve seen your organization’s work make a difference?
Our Amazing Alumni Community!
The best way to see AFA's impact is through the 30,000 people who have been part of our programs! We are so proud to have helped develop not only fantastic musicians, but also professionals who excel in fields like arts administration, medicine, law, and politics.
What really makes us happy, though, is how many of our alumni have chosen to become music educators. So many of them tell us their time in AFA programs gave them a real sense of purpose and helped them find their career path. Many are now part of our Teaching Artist team – which is a perfect example of playing it forward!
3) What are some upcoming initiatives that you are planning for?
We are Here to Help Young Musicians Shine!
We are working hard to welcome even more young musicians into our community! At AFA, we truly believe that things like financial worries or getting around town should never stop a young person from having the experiences that help them grow and succeed.
In addition to subsidizing the cost of AFA programs through fundraising efforts, we also offer direct tuition help through our Play It Forward Fund, which is supported by the Music Matters Grant. Plus, we have great transportation partnerships with school districts all around the Greater Houston area, and we are busy adding even more districts this season!
Performance from the 2025 AFA Summer Music Festival | Photo by David DeHoyos | Courtesy of AFA.
4) What is the greatest challenge your organization faces?
A Focus on Fun and Community at AFA!
Life is super busy for young people these days and that is a challenge that AFA acknowledges. Between all the sports, schoolwork, activities, and social media, they're pulled in a million different directions!
At AFA, we want to provide a welcoming spot for our students to land. It's a supportive community where they can take a break from their phones, totally be themselves, and dive into mastering a focused skill in a really fun and caring environment!
5) What does the power of music mean to you?
Connecting Through Music and Community!
AFA truly believes that the power of music is all about building amazing relationships! Whether it's a performer connecting with the audience, a student working with a Teaching Artist, a small chamber group learning a new piece together, or a 100-person orchestra tackling a musical masterpiece – there is so much deep connection and fun conversation happening through the music we share.
AFA’s unique culture and community are just as vital as the music itself! The relationships we build and the shared experiences everyone has together are absolutely the cornerstone of everything we do.
6) How will the Music Matters grant be used?
Your $2000 Music Matters Grant in Action!
Thanks to this generous grant three students will get to experience the incredible 31st Annual AFA Summer Music Festival! It’s all about intensive, fun music-making experiences and building awesome friendships in a super supportive environment designed just for Houston's young musicians.
Led by our amazing Teaching Artists (who are also top-notch performers and educators), students make serious progress—both musically and personally—that stays with them for life! Our students are musicians finishing grades 3–12 and enroll in sessions that last from 2 to 5 weeks. They participate in large and small ensembles, technical study & studio classes, section rehearsals, music theory, ear training, electives, guest visits, and performances!
Besides gaining musical skills, students also benefit from working alongside a diverse group of young musicians from all over the Greater Houston area, sharing their musical journeys every day.
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Learn more about American Festival for the Arts.
Get tickets to The 6th Annual Law Rocks Houston.
Header photo by David DeHoyos | Courtesy of AFA.