Texas School of the Arts TeSA Student on NBC News

Fort Worth,TX – Texas School of the Arts(TeSA) 5th grader, Austin Arbelaez recently signed a deal with Mapex Drums USA. Austin shares covers on social media and has gained a large following receiving recognition by several famous musicians and well-known bands.

Of course, he has his own following here at Texas Center for Arts + Academics.

Austin was recently invited to perform for all of our faculty and staff at our 2021 Convocation at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. Austin arrived doting his new, beautiful Mapex Drum set and a full crew, including family members, drum coach, and his own videographer. You can watch his Convocation performance HERE.

Though TeSA does not have an instrumental program, the fine arts faculty find ways to showcase all of the talents at TeSA. In last year’s Spring performance of Dear Edwina Jr., Austin’s drum set was built into the set and he had his own drum solo. The TeSA physical education curriculum also includes drumFIT, which is a fun way to drop some beats while exercising.

While this is Austin’s last year at TeSA, a K-5 school, we are fully-invested in his future and feel incredibly blessed to be part of his creative journey.