A Message From Our Founder

Oh, What a Night! I don’t know if anyone from FMAA had a chance to go to the Hearts on Fire Concert last Saturday Night at The Tower Theater BUT If you did not go, you missed out on just a joyous night of music and celebration.

We SOLD OUT the 750-seat Theater. It was a packed house. I am just over the moon happy! It was AWESOME. I am so proud of each and every person in the choir that dedicated the last 3 months to learning every note of the iconic Beatles Album, ABBEY ROAD! They killed it. It was an evening that I know will live in the hearts of everyone present for a LONG time!! 

The fundraiser concert idea was presented to me last fall. Two of our members are on the board of the Tower District Preservation Association. They asked if I thought we could pull off ABBEY ROAD in just a few months for their fundraiser, (we did this back in 2016) in the spring of 2023. I said. “oh heck ya” we can do it!!

Our tradition has been that we rehearse all “year” and then do a big show at the end of November, at the Big Red Church. That church holds about 300 people and in Nov 2022 we sold it out. There was standing room only. We knew then that we might be needing a new larger venue for 2023 but NEVER in our wildest dreams would we sell out the Tower! Just WOW!

After the November gig we then take about 6 weeks off and resume mid-January. So, the question, “can we pull it off?” was a BIG question. I decided to take the challenge! I had no idea that we would gain close to 20 new members for the project, making our numbers grow to 60 members! We can hardly fit in the ViSTA Theater to rehearse. WHAT A GREAT PROBLEM!

Our show last Saturday night started off with our own Hearts On Fire Jr choir singing “Let it Be”, leading into my daughter and I doing our opening set “Two of Us”, a collection of Lennon/McCartney songs that we love. Then onto the main attraction, Hearts on Fire, Fresno’s ONLY Rock -n-Roll Choir singing Abbey Road. We had an ALL-STAR band and one of our parents here at FMAA, Dan Aldape was our lighting and sound “genius”. He and his amazing team literally put the “WOW” into our presentation! 

Again I am over the moon happy! If you are at all interested in singing with us, please call our front desk or find me or talk to the front desk. Everyone is welcome. We are a non-auditioned group. You don’t have to read music to be a part. You just have to love to sing.  We will be resuming on Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 in our ViSTA Theater. 

Love, Deb

Music Stand Winners!

Tower - Jordan Cornell

North - Emma Howery

Congratulations! Don't forget to come pick up your prize!

Refer a friend or family and you’ll get $20.00 Amazon gift card when they sign up for lessons! Your referral will also get a $20 gift card!

Do you know anyone who would benefit from music lessons? This is the most rewarding way to help Fresno Music Academy & Arts! All you have to do is fill out a short form...

We're gonna have a blast this June at Fresno Music Academy & Arts, Tower You won't want to miss out!

TWO WEEKS of summer fun, broken up into two segments! Week one is ART, we will be making costumes, set pieces, and exploring the depths of our tactile creativity! Week two is MUSIC, where we will learn to perform a musical medley with choreography in front of the set we created during the first week! Can't choose between the two? Attend both!

Starting cost is $350 per camp, or you can enroll in both for $600! There is a $50 (non-refundable) deposit. There is a pre-pay option, and we also are capable of setting up a payment plan (three payments). We are looking for parent volunteers to manage snack time, etc. This is to supplement the tuition cost for students who cannot afford the full amount!

Location: TOWER DISTRICT FRESNO: 1298 N. Wishon Ave. Fresno CA. 93728 (just up the street from the Tower Theater, North of the corner of Olive and Wishon) Call our office today to learn more! 559-222-7464

'On The Drums' Lesson Plan

Visit either of our front offices and pick up a copy of this great drum instructional by our very own Michael Faeth! Learn about:

- Drumming Foundation

- Drum Beats

- Sticking Patterns

- Drummer Inspiration

It's that time again! We need your loose change!! Please join with the Cultural Arts Rotary Club to help end Polio for good! 

Guess what's coming up? Our next fabulous seasonal student showcase!

Sunday, May 7th! In our very own Vista Theater! You wont want to miss it!

Elvis Stickers

New merchandise is available in our front office! Including STICKERS of our beloved kitty cat, Elvis!

Classic Elvis with his fantastic pompadour AND a limited edition Santa hat version are on sale now... Keep an eye out!

Fresno Music Academy is thrilled to announce the opening of our Art Fundamentals classes for kids aged 3-14.

Starting on Saturday, June 3, 2023, our classes will provide children with the opportunity to develop their artistic skills and creativity. Our curriculum is designed to cover the fundamentals of art, including drawing, painting, and sculpting, and will be taught by experienced and passionate instructors. The demand for our classes is high, so we encourage interested parents to register on our waitlist by visiting our website to secure a spot for their child. We look forward to helping young artists reach their full potential!

Band Fantasy Camp!

Do you dream of singing with a band? Now’s you’re chance to see your dream turn into a reality!

Join David Aus and Debi Ruud for an amazing weeklong camp, culminating in a final concert where YOU sing with the band!

New Artist!



Our Doris Gallery is hosting a bunch of large-scale paintings of iconic musicians by

Kyle Edwards

for Art Hop this month! Come by and get a better look!

Welcome, Tori & Ben!

Please help us extend a warm welcome to our two newest office members, Tori and Ben! We are so lucky that such friendly and talented individuals have chosen to join our musical family!

Local Events

Second Space Theatre 'Bad Seed'

April 28th - June 11th

Charming Rhoda Penmark is doted upon and adored by her parents and neighbors. Their lives appear to be perfect-but is it all too good to be true?

Selma Arts Center 'Next To Normal'

May 12th - 27th

Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.

The Golden Chain Theatre 'Hunchback Of Notre Dame'

April 14 – May 21

Maybe it's time to head up the hill to Oakhurst to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame! This is a brilliant spectacle unlike anything that has taken place on the GCT stage! You do not want to miss this show! Tickets can be purchased by pressing the button below...

OUR HOURS:

Monday - Friday, 10AM - 7PM and Saturday, 9AM - 3PM

We offer lessons in: Voice, piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, violin, flute, clarinet, and a recognized early childhood music program MUSIC FUNTIME.