Joining Local 802 has helped to secure my place in the New York City music scene. While the union protects my interests, my membership helps to make it a stronger organization, so we both win.
 As a musical multi-tasker who can at anytime be playing guitar at rock club, producing a singer/songwriter record, scoring a film, or composing a jingle for a TV commercial, it’s reassuring to know that the AFM has my back as I try to make art and make it as a musician in NYC.
 I look forward to many years of a mutually beneficial relationship!

—Riley McMahon

I recently joined Local 802 after freelancing in the New York area and playing for a lot of voice teachers, choirs and orchestras. I am excited to be a part of this tremendous network since I am now at a point where I’d like to share my talent and knowledge in Broadway and musical theatre. My specialty is piano, keyboards and conducting. I am very much looking forward to this wonderful experience!

—Dror Baitel

I feel that the union is our best defense against those who would take advantage of a noble group of artists.

—Freddie Simpson

I just moved to Manhattan after receiving my bachelor’s degree in studio music and jazz drum set performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. I joined Local 802 to perform on Broadway: I am a sub at “Legally Blonde.” My principal instrument is drum set; my musical goals in New York City are to perform on Broadway both as a drummer and a singer/actor/dancer, perform all over the city with my original music and as a side musician for artists, do studio sessions and any other work I can get as a drummer and singer!

—Nicole Marcus

I am joining Local 802 for the opportunity to continue my oboe, English horn and oboe d’amore playing in New York City after 19 years of performing in southeast Michigan. I am especially interested in chamber orchestra and chamber music playing.

—Arianna Kalian 

I joined Local 802 because of my involvement with the musical “A Tale of Two Cities.” I started out working as a music intern for the music director, Kevin Stites. During the rehearsal process I decided to join the union just in case they needed another rehearsal pianist. As luck would have it, I was asked to play a morning tech rehearsal at the theatre, so it was fortuitous I had joined. Later in the process, I played keyboard for the first orchestra rehearsal. In the future, I hope to continue my involvement with musicals in New York as a keyboardist, while also aspiring to be a music director as well.

—Kevin David Thomas

I just graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in jazz performance. I have been gigging in New Orleans for the last eight years playing everything — jazz, rock, blues, funk and musicals. My goal with Local 802 is to meet serious musicians and become a full time gigging musician ASAP.

—Sean Bradley