About Us
Americana Music Academy has been operating since 2002 in pursuit of our mission to teach, promote, and support the advancement of all forms of music played in the United States, with a special emphasis on American folk music and its influences.
Founded by local Lawrence musician Thom Alexander in 2002 as a gathering place for musicians, artists, teachers and learners committed to American roots music, Americana Music Academy continues to thrive today with the support of our teachers, board members, donors and stakeholders.
Americana Music Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and culture organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to music education, community music making, and musical experiences.
Offering individual lessons on many instruments!
Weekly jams and a music calendar!
Tens of thousands of lessons of taught since 2002
We work and live in the Lawrence community!
Ask about our audio options for live events!
Just like any small organization, Americana could not be successful without the contributions of our donors, benefactors, teachers and students and their families. Special thanks to the Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation for their support over the years.
AMA aims to ensure that musical involvement is affordable and accessible to all members of the Lawrence and surrounding communities, and it strives to provide a place of welcome and belonging for all who walk through its doors. Americana Music Academy does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. AMA is an equal opportunity employer. It will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
At Americana Music Academy, we are committed to making our programs and facilities accessible to all. If you require accommodations to fully
participate in our lessons, events, or activities, we encourage you to reach out. We are happy to discuss your needs and work with you to ensure
an inclusive and welcoming experience.
For accommodation requests or accessibility questions, please contact us at 785.830.9640.
Americana Music Academy Board of Directors – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Joe O'Brien
PRESIDENT
Joe O’Brien is a professor emeritus with the School of Education at the University of Kansas. Joe is committed to top-quality education and educators and has been donating his time and skills to Americana for nearly two decades.
Mike Hannah
VICE PRESIDENT
Longtime Lawrence musician, radio host and marketing specialist Mike Hannah has been with Americana Music Academy for years. Mike is also a founder of the Kaw Valley Roots Festival in Lawrence. You can see Mike performing around town as a mandolin player and vocalist.
Staff
Dr. Christy Miller
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christy Miller is a Kansas native and folk music historian with a special penchant for mid-century American folk music. She holds a doctorate degree in Musicology from the University of Kansas, and her research has taken her to archives throughout the US and England. A 2015 BMI Woody Guthrie Fellowship allowed her to spend weeks neck-deep in Woody Guthrie’s personal papers and unpublished writings and lyrics, and she has presented her work as part of numerous local and national conferences and publications.
Christy is also an experienced and passionate teacher: she has twenty years of piano teaching experience and has taught collegiate courses at William Jewell College and the University of Kansas. She is also the co-founder of Piano Detectives Club, a beginning piano curriculum for children. Christy is driven by the belief that music is for everyone, and she is thrilled to help Americana fulfill its vision of being a home for students, teachers, and music-makers of all kinds.
Supporting organizations and businesses
