Sisters and Brothers:

Today, our federation faces great challenges. Our union only represents a small fraction of professional musicians in the US and Canada and our membership continues to decline. Unless we face the future from the bottom up through Organizing and meaningful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives we will continue to shrink as a union.

I am thrilled to be part of the VPU slate a group of progressive and forward thinking union leaders dedicated to Organizing, Inclusion and Education. Vote the VPU!

In Unity,

John Acosta

John Acosta, guitarist and songwriter has served 2 terms on the International Executive Board (IEB), is currently a member of the AFM Diversity Committee and recently served as President of AFM Local 47. During the pandemic, John helped spearhead the creation of the AFM Streaming Agreement which provided a progressive and innovative approach to help get members working again with more local control. John hails from the Bronx, New York. His father Juan Acosta was a percussionist from Cuba who worked as a touring musician with Latin jazz greats such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. In California. John began his recording career working as composer, guitarist, producer and engineer for major label artists.