2010 Faculty-Admin

Click on each name for a biography
Michael K. Remson, Executive and Artistic Director
Amanda Kepke Fisher, General Manager
Amanda Heathco, Conservatory Coordinator
J. Todd Frazier, Founder

Amanda Kepke Fisher
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.

J. Todd Frazier
Founder

Jefferson Todd Frazier is the Founder and former Exectuive Director of American Festival for the Arts (AFA). He received his training from The Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, TX, Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and Juilliard School in New York, NY where his major teachers included American composers David Diamond and Samuel Adler. On the occasion of the Juilliard School’s 100th anniversary in 2006, Frazier was recognized as one of 100 distinguished alumni and profiled in the Juilliard Journal's "A Quiet Revolution: Juilliard Alumni and The Transformation of Education in America Through the Arts." In recognition of his music, he has been honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, The Eastman, Juilliard, and Illinois State University Schools of Music, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and is the 2005 Texas Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer. Frazier's other interests, which inspire his music and teaching, include an active involvement in real estate, agriculture, medical technology, and Texas and American history. He is a 6th generation Texan and is proud of his wife Jennifer, son Mac, daughter Kenzie, and his Merriman, Frazier, Bryant and McReynolds clans.

Amanda Heathco
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.

All faculty subject to change

2010 AFA Faculty - Administration

Click on each name for a biography Michael K. Remson, Executive and Artistic Director Amanda Kepke Fisher, General Manager Amanda Heathco, Conservatory Coordinator J. Todd Frazier, Founder
	Amanda Kepke Fisher 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. Back to top
	J. Todd Frazier Founder Jefferson Todd Frazier is the Founder and former Exectuive Director of American Festival for the Arts (AFA). He received his training from The Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, TX, Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and Juilliard School in New York, NY where his major teachers included American composers David Diamond and Samuel Adler. On the occasion of the Juilliard School’s 100th anniversary in 2006, Frazier was recognized as one of 100 distinguished alumni and profiled in the Juilliard Journal's "A Quiet Revolution: Juilliard Alumni and The Transformation of Education in America Through the Arts." In recognition of his music, he has been honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, The Eastman, Juilliard, and Illinois State University Schools of Music, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and is the 2005 Texas Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer. Frazier's other interests, which inspire his music and teaching, include an active involvement in real estate, agriculture, medical technology, and Texas and American history. He is a 6th generation Texan and is proud of his wife Jennifer, son Mac, daughter Kenzie, and his Merriman, Frazier, Bryant and McReynolds clans. Back to top
	Amanda Heathco 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. Back to top
	Michael K. Remson 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 Executive 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. Back to top
All faculty subject to change