About the Texas Music Museum – Texas Music Museum

Mission

The Texas Music Museum collects and preserves artifacts, documents, and reference material surrounding the diverse traditions of Texas music and utilizes these collections in the presentation of exhibits, educational programs, and performances.

Vision

A permanent, world-class home for the Texas Music Museum seems only appropriate in Austin, the capital of Texas, proud home of hundreds of musicians and music-related businesses, and the “Live Music Capital of the World.”

A large classroom for the Museum’s lecture series will be incorporated into the plans, as well as smaller classrooms for both adult and children’s educational activities. There will also be meeting space for Austin’s diverse music organizations. Additionally, a gift shop with an extensive collection of Texas music recordings and other Texas music items will be included.

In a new, large facility, Texas Music Museum will be able to greatly expand its already impressive collection of recordings, photographs, interviews, and other artifacts pertaining to Texas’ music heritage. There will be more space to both create exhibits for the public and properly store the unique and priceless collections that the Museum has amassed over the years. Innovative cataloging and management systems implemented in the new space will also facilitate the use of the collections within the Museum, by scholars, tourists, the public, and other interested organizations.

History

Established in 1984, the Texas Music Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the vibrant musical traditions that have shaped Texas. Established to honor the musicians and cultural communities that contributed to the state’s rich musical history, Texas Music Museum holds an extensive archive of recordings, photographs, artifacts, and oral histories. 

The museum highlights the musical legacies of Texas’ diverse communities, with a particular emphasis on African American, Mexican American, and other underrepresented musicians whose stories have often been overlooked. Texas Music Museum also hosts performances, educational programs, and community events to celebrate these cultural contributions and foster a deeper appreciation for the state’s musical heritage. Through its efforts, Texas Music Museum continues to connect people to the sounds and stories that define Texas.

Museum staff

Sylvia Morales, Program Director, Community Engagement Manager

Sylvia holds a Bachelor’s in Advertising and a Master’s in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, with specializations in Public Libraries and UX Research. She leads programming and outreach at the Texas Music Museum, focusing on community schools and senior centers. With a background in high-tech and business ownership, she applies her expertise to daily operations, promoting under-recognized Texas musicians and cultural preservation. A skilled grant writer, Sylvia has secured funding to further the museum’s mission. Fun fact: she plays piano and Bb clarinet.

Jacarious Stanley, Education & Social Media Manager, Docent

Jacarious is a passionate music lover and a dedicated volunteer at The Texas Music Museum. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a Minor in Music from Texas State University, where he developed strong skills in communication and music. Known for his excellence in spreading the word about the museum’s mission, Jacarious is also a talented musician. Currently, he is a graduate student at Huston-Tillotson University, located on the east side of Austin, pursuing a teaching certification to become a certified music educator in Texas.

Natasha Zoghlin, Processing Archivist, Digitization Specialist, Collections Care

Natasha has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in photography from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Masters of Science in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She has many years of experience working in archives and museums handling fragile materials, organizing and digitizing collections. Her passion is working with film negatives and audio visual materials. At the Texas Music Museum she works closely to organize and digitize collections.