I would have to say Saturday, June 25, 2016, was probably one of the biggest days of my entire life. Yes, in the last couple of years, I have decided I want to keep making a career in education, and I have decided I want to make a career in education in a non-traditional, fun, and exciting way, for example, my fictional books and my personal presentations, but that Saturday made my decision final.
Let's back up eight months ago.
Actually, first, I want to back up about fifteen years ago.
I attended the Notes from the Heart music camp back in 2001 when I was a teenager. I absolutely love music. I would say it is my life. And I always wanted to go to a camp. So when I had the chance to go to a music camp, it was a no brainer. I jumped on the idea.
My first year at camp, there was a girl, who had written her own song. I thought that was just so cool. So, my second year, I came back to music camp with a poem I had written. I met somebody who could help me turn it into a song, and is now one of my biggest mentors.
Lucas Richman.
Over the next 10 years, Lucas and I continued to write songs together. Eventually, we had enough songs to put together a one act musical. I really, really, really, want to tell the world that people with disabilities are equal, and should be treated equal. After writing a script and putting together all of the songs, we performed our musical, One Single Voice, for the first time at the music camp.
Okay, now let's. . . err. . . fast forward fifteen years? Go back eight months ago?
Anyway.
In September 2015, I received an email with the subject along the lines of "Performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra." Before I even opened the email, I screamed. I screamed so loud, my personal care assistant came running into my bedroom, because she thought I saw a bug.
Because, ya know. Bugs elicit the same scream as performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Someone from Music Camp who had seen my musical thought it would be awesome for the Symphony to perform the title song, One Single Voice, at a sensory friendly concert that is designed for children with disabilities, who might have trouble with bright lights or loud noises.
Not needing to think twice, I replied to that email immediately with my answer.
Absolutely.
On the day of the concert, I was nervous. I was so nervous that I felt like I was going to throw up at any given moment. However, after being in a dressing room where people like Idina Menzel and Matthew Morrison once were, and after feeling the Pittsburgh Symphony play my song, and after hearing the vocalist sing the lyrics I'd written, and after explaining to the audience what the song meant, and after seeing the pride in my family and friends . . . I just felt . . . incredible.
One thing is for sure. I want to keep spreading education in unique ways. Even if I have a performance where they do just one of my songs, I want to do this again, and again, and again.
I truly hope this is not the end to something so beautiful, but rather, a beautiful beginning.
Let's back up eight months ago.
Actually, first, I want to back up about fifteen years ago.
I attended the Notes from the Heart music camp back in 2001 when I was a teenager. I absolutely love music. I would say it is my life. And I always wanted to go to a camp. So when I had the chance to go to a music camp, it was a no brainer. I jumped on the idea.
My first year at camp, there was a girl, who had written her own song. I thought that was just so cool. So, my second year, I came back to music camp with a poem I had written. I met somebody who could help me turn it into a song, and is now one of my biggest mentors.
Lucas Richman.
Over the next 10 years, Lucas and I continued to write songs together. Eventually, we had enough songs to put together a one act musical. I really, really, really, want to tell the world that people with disabilities are equal, and should be treated equal. After writing a script and putting together all of the songs, we performed our musical, One Single Voice, for the first time at the music camp.
Okay, now let's. . . err. . . fast forward fifteen years? Go back eight months ago?
Anyway.
In September 2015, I received an email with the subject along the lines of "Performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra." Before I even opened the email, I screamed. I screamed so loud, my personal care assistant came running into my bedroom, because she thought I saw a bug.
Because, ya know. Bugs elicit the same scream as performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Someone from Music Camp who had seen my musical thought it would be awesome for the Symphony to perform the title song, One Single Voice, at a sensory friendly concert that is designed for children with disabilities, who might have trouble with bright lights or loud noises.
Not needing to think twice, I replied to that email immediately with my answer.
Absolutely.
On the day of the concert, I was nervous. I was so nervous that I felt like I was going to throw up at any given moment. However, after being in a dressing room where people like Idina Menzel and Matthew Morrison once were, and after feeling the Pittsburgh Symphony play my song, and after hearing the vocalist sing the lyrics I'd written, and after explaining to the audience what the song meant, and after seeing the pride in my family and friends . . . I just felt . . . incredible.
One thing is for sure. I want to keep spreading education in unique ways. Even if I have a performance where they do just one of my songs, I want to do this again, and again, and again.
I truly hope this is not the end to something so beautiful, but rather, a beautiful beginning.
