American Festival for the Arts, 2010 Summer Music Conservatory and Concert Series

 
AFA Staff
   

Michael K. Remson
AFA Executive & Artistic Director

Michael Remson is a composer, author, educator and is proud to have been part of the AFA since its inaugural season. Dr. Remson has been Exectuive Director since the 2005 season. Prior to his appointment to AFA, Dr. Remson served as Assistant Director of the Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Program and as CFO/Senior Consultant with Downey Associates International.

In addition to his service to AFA, Dr. Remson maintains an active schedule as a composer and librettist. He has received numerous grants, commissions and fellowships and his works have been performed throughout the United States and in Europe. Dr. Remson served as an Affiliate Artist at the Moores School of Music and is on faculty of the Houston Ballet Academy. He received his training at New York University, the University of Houston and Carnegie Mellon University and his primary mentors include Carlisle Floyd and Edward Albee. He is active in Houston's arts community through his board service with Dragon's Gate, Houston Youth Symphony, Houston Boychoir and The Lone Star Lyric Theatre Festival.

   
Amanda Kepke Fisher
AFA General Manager

Amanda Kepke Fisher has been with AFA since 1993 and has helped AFA become a powerful force in arts education in the region. A native Houstonian, Mrs. Fisher studied vocal performance at the University of Texas at Austin and received a BA in English from the University of Houston. Prior to joining AFA, Mrs. Fisher was the Assistant Director of C. G. Rein Gallery, a national art gallery representing over 250 visual artists from around the world. She has coordinated all of the AFA Galas, grossing over $1,400,000 for AFA. Mrs. Fisher has also chaired or coordinated events for Lawndale Arts Center, The Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir and Houston Achievement Place. She is an active volunteer in Houston and has served on the Board of Directors of the Lawndale Art Center, Young Audiences of Houston, American Festival for the Arts, and presently serves on the PTO Board of Briargrove Elementary School. Mrs. Fisher lives in Houston with her husband David, Director of Foundations for The Episcopal Diocese of Texas and their daughters Elizabeth & Vivian.
   

Amanda Heathco
AFA Conservatory Coordinator

Amanda Heathco is an alumnus of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, where she graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance. Mrs. Heathco has studied oboe at University of Houston, AFA, and Domaine Forget in Quebec, Canada with Anne Leek, Keve Wilson, Elaine Douvas, and Linda Strommen. She attended school in Pearland, Texas and teaches private oboe lessons there, as well as in Cy-Fair ISD. Prior to her appointment as Conservatory Coordinator with AFA, Mrs. Heathco was an AFA student from 1998-2001, and worked as an Alumni Intern from 2002-2005, making 2010 her thirteenth consecutive summer with AFA. Mrs. Heathco lives in Houston with her husband George, a composer, and their daughter Ella Jane.