Ed Malaga has served as president of Washington D.C. Local 161-710 since 2011. An AFM member for 30 years, Ed was elected to the International Executive Board at the 2019 AFM Convention.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Ed is a double bassist who has largely worked as a freelancer. He has performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and in musical theater.

Ed joined his first AFM picket line at in 1991 when he was hired to play Don Carlo with The Washington Opera and management locked out the musicians. By standing together, the musicians prevailed in this struggle and Ed realized musicians can win when they remain united.

While working at the Washington Ballet Orchestra, Ed helped organize that orchestra and was a part of the negotiating team for the first contract in 1999. As a working musician, Ed became involved in his local to increase the participation of other working musicians.

As Local 161-710 President, Ed has led negotiations for contracts in the Washington area including the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Wolftrap. Ed has also been a part of the negotiating team for the national Touring Collective Bargaining Agreement (“Pamphlet B”).