History
- Blog
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- Member for
- 1 year 33 weeks
*My Story
- I am
A searcher, a lover, a dreamer. I foster the trust of friends and inspire them to grow.
- I earn my daily bread
Working on behalf of children to increase arts education in our public schools.
- How my leadership has changed as a result of OTV
On the Verge helped me to understand the importance of relationships in everything I do. It gave me the courage and power to face difficult situations in my life, and supported me in stepping into a leadership role which allowed me to create change that I couldn’t have imagined on my own.
- Where I’ve come from and where I expect to be in the next 3-5 years
I have a background in trumpet performance and I am constantly discovering new passions. My dream is to bring joy to my life and the lives of others. Over the next several years, I will continue to develop programs that broaden people’s minds and improve their lives.
- My story of impact
I have a little red and white ribbon tied around a hook in my closet, visible only behind closet doors, meaningful only to me. The ribbon was given to me by a first grade student who was entering the Lincoln Theater to attend a Napa Valley Symphony youth concert. Part of my job as Education Director for the symphony was to organize these concerts, confirm attendance with teachers, distribute the accompanying curriculum, and evaluate the program. I spent most of my time in an office, working on behalf of 9,000 children in Napa Valley to provide them with access to professional symphony concerts. But it was at the performances of these concerts that I was able to witness the fruits of my labor.
After each of the concerts I received envelopes stuffed full with thank-you cards and artwork from children who had attended. My desk was covered with drawings of violins, conductors, and smiley faces, with accompanying "Thank you for inviting us!" and "We loved the music!" But there is something about that little red and white ribbon that really captures the impact of those concerts-a ribbon pulled from the hair of an exhilirated child eager to show her appreciation; a token of gratitude exhibited by a six year old in the thrill of the moment. "This is for you," she said, as she handed me the ribbon. "Thank you for letting us come!" The little girl proceeded through the doors to enter the grand theater filled with 2,000 of her fellow first graders, wide-eyed at the spleandor.
These concerts have since been cancelled, the symphony's education programs cut. At at time when schools lack the funds to provide "enrichment" experiences and feel the pressure to eliminate subjects which are not tested by the federal government, I fight on behalf of Napa Valley children who long for well-rounded and diverse learning experiences. On the Verge has reminded me that this is a battle worth fighting. On the Verge has helped me reach inside myself to find the strength that I need to make a difference. On the Verge has provided me with the support and resources I need to take a stand as a leader in my community.
Upon departing the fractured Napa Valley Symphony, I partnered with On the Move to develop the first public arts integration program in Napa. The program is now thriving at Salvador Elementary School and providing children with access to art, dance, and music instruction as part of their classroom experience. We had a performance last year which involved the first, second, fourth, and fifth grade classes performing an original play that they had created. It was a magical evening filled with bright young faces and wide smiles. I talked to several classes the following week about their experience and one fourth grader told me "I think it was the best night of my entire life!" I can't hang it on my closet wall, but I will forever hold that statement in my heart as proof of the value of my contribution.
