First, I would like to say that I don’t need to prove anything to you. Your opinions still are not important to me, and you certainly don’t cross my mind on the occasions that I reflect on my high school days. I’ve had an incredibly wonderful support system, which have included your colleagues who encouraged me and other students to do what we love. However, your lack of support worries me. Have you been just as unsupportive towards other students as you have been towards me? I cannot even imagine that you, as educators, did not want me, your student, to chase her dreams and do what she loves for the rest of her life.
You’ve told me not to go into any type of performing arts, and you’ve kept me from some rewarding opportunities. “Don’t go in music, it’s too hard,” “The PMEA honor’s band music is very complex, and your private lessons teacher’s primary instrument isn’t the same as yours. I don’t think you should try,” and my personal favorite, “You’ll be bussing tables in New York." Thank you for your input, but I didn’t ask for it. During my last year as a high school student, I studied voice with an amazing Point Park musical theatre graduate. She warned me that it would definitely be difficult, but she didn’t tear me down or try to scare me away. She was excited for me and wanted me to succeed. In just 10 months, she prepared me for my college musical theatre auditions. And guess what? I was accepted two days after I auditioned to one of the two schools.
I can’t even list for you all of the amazing skills I learned to enhance my overall performance during my first year of college. My voice teacher there, an alumna from Carnegie Mellon’s MFA opera program, prepared me for all of my singing auditions for shows that year, as well as my audition into Westminster’s School of Music when I decided to transfer. And again, I was accepted, despite the fact that my only vocal experience had been with theatre. The Westminster music faculty understood that I didn't have a classical background, but they still saw potential in me and wanted me to do well.
I am currently pursuing a music education degree, just like several of you did. And yes, it definitely is hard. I knew it would be. Reflecting on this year alone, there have been countless mental break downs and late nights spent on writing papers, but I’ve managed to still do well. I have been casted in two theatre productions, I was nominated to audition for the Irene Ryan scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in January, I auditioned for and made it into the choir that will be touring Europe in May, and I made the Dean’s List last semester. I don’t mean to brag, but I’d say I’m getting by just fine. I am surrounded by supportive faculty members, sorority sisters, and peers, along with my friends and family cheering me on at home. They all want me to succeed and to do whatever makes me happy.
No one has here told me to stop doing what I’m doing. I can only hope that you have not told any of your other students to not pursue their future plans simply because they’ll experience difficulty. What if your students don't have supportive people surrounding them like I did? They may not chase their dreams due to your lack of support. If you are not going to support your students and prepare them for the future, then why are you even teaching?
Best Wishes,
-The Student Who Succeeded
