Cheers to all of My Past and Current Music Teachers and Mentors (Part 1)

 I don't have to tell you that The Arts are important. I'm sure you already know. You've heard the stories, you've seen the pie charts, and you know that children who play instruments are somehow magically better at Math (I LOVE Math, but know some great musicians who HATE Math.) All that aside, I really thought it needed to share an open letter of thanks to all the music teachers I have had over the years, and the lessons I learned from each experience. Let's start at the beginning and work our way to now.

Children's Choir

• My first experience in music, apart from my family, was at church. Both of my Children's Choir co-director's have passed, but they were beautiful souls. Rest in paradise Ms. Brunetta and Ms. Jerry. They taught me something very important that I carried with me for the rest of my life - "Sometimes you will hear the word "no." You won't get every part, no matter how "great" you think you are." - I never got the lead in the plays. I didn't get every solo and I wasn't always "the star." But I learned what it means to be a part of a group. I learned that I don't know everything and when others SHINE so do you. I learned songs that I still sing even now. It was the start and created in me a passion for worship. Thank you both.

Elementary School

• I cannot remember my music teacher at my first elementary school, but I do remember Ms. Kempwatson, who taught at my second elementary school. She exposed us to everything, from Stevie to glockenspiels, to square dancing (you should see my tight lip, lol). But, she was a great supporter of my budding musical interests. I would listen to our rehearsal tapes all the time and learn the harmonies that she didn't teach us. I learned from her - "It is okay to have a passion for music... Own it." Thank you.
• Honorable Mention - I also started playing clarinet in Elementary School, though I can't tell you who taught us... And what did I learn? "Hot Cross Buns." lol Seriously though, I started to learn basic music theory and how to read and play music. So, thank you.

Middle School

• We had a choice, Music or band. I chose band since I was still singing at church. I see his face, but can't remember his name, but I played in band... mediocre at best. And I loved every second of it. I met one of my best friends in band in middle school and we are still UBER close now. So, what did I learn "Band folks are not geeks at all." Thank you.

Youth Choir

• I was in the youth choir at my church for a very long time. We had so many directors, and they all were different and brought different repertoires and styles with them. I had a lot of fun in the youth choir and sang both Soprano and Alto. I think I was feeling myself by then. I will mention a few things that I learned while singing with the youth choir. #1 - "You are not all that." An older praise team member put me and a friend in our place, when she schooled us on our incorrect vocal technique. #2 "Get Creative" A lot of our leaders would write their own songs, which encouraged us to start our own groups and sing songs we created (I'll have to post again about my songwriting journey). #3 "Some people don't like to sing (and can't sing) and that is totally okay." Everyone in the youth choir HAD to be there, and singing isn't everyone's thing, but we still had a lot of fun. And it was great to see the "non-singers" get into some of the songs. Thank You ALL!​