Del Capo al fine
Spring has sprung and a new season of life has most certainly begun!
This seems like the most appropriate time to make an official announcement: After many years of teaching music at Guitar Center New Orleans, I have been appointed as “Leader of the Lessons” department.
While I’ve certainly treasured the privilege of working directly with students for a little over a decade, the time has come for me to assume the role of supporting my outstanding team of colleages, and offer guidance to a new generation of educators. It gives me great honor to be passing the torch to one of my very own students, whom we’ve just appointed as our newest violin instructor! Although the change of my position brings a few more bittersweet sacrifices, i’m very grateful for the skills i’m learning from this experience and will forever cherish my 10 year tenure as a teacher.
Those who know me well, already well know how passionate I am about sharing the musical culture of our city, which includes cultivating an appreciation for all of the local artists who represent our unique heritage. As I walk the hall of our lessons studio, the names and faces of local musical icons displayed above serve as a reminder of why i’ve dedicated so much of my time to serving the community as a musical mentor to aspiring musicians. I’ve been keeping a photo of Allen Toussaint at my desk to keep me company, as well as to watch over us during my period of transition
from music instructor to “Ms. Conductor.”
Keeping the music of our city alive and evolving with the times relies on planting a seed of inspiration and having a connection to the roots of our musical traditions. So many talents are blossoming, and a bouquet of our players will be in bloom for at the Jazz History Museum this spring. I’m looking forward to orchestrating my first recital with the program and exploring the museums newest exhibits!
Coincidentally, following this calling does mean that my artwork will no longer be available in the open air gallery of the French Quarter (at least until Autumn), and that many of my larger paintings will be auctioned. My calendar of commissions is also closed for the year. I hope to further develop my online gallery over the summer, prints will be available with portions of proceeds going towards a few of the various non-profits I seek to support annually. I will be promoting these organizations from my homepage, spotlighting featured groups seasonally with the release of new content as it becomes available.
Another such consequence of this coincidence is that my live performance schedule has officially closed for the season. What this means is that I will no longer be entertaining for hired performances of public venues at this time, unless for the worthy cause of charity events for social aide or private events for personal friends and family members. I consider it a blessing to be afforded the opportunity to play simply for the joy of making music, and will be focusing my creative attentions to the intention of recording and producing my own music.
If you’d like to support the costs of these efforts, my other services will still be available. (studio session work, notation, transcription, arrangement, and virtual consultations.)
…and now to the Coda, Stay Tuned!
