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American Orchestras: Make No Little Plans

September 23, 2012 by 1 Comment

"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big." - Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1846-1912) This is a post for everyone who … [Read more...]

09/23/12 8:27 PM | filed under: Leadership |

Adjusting the Sails

April 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell I look back on my relationship with classical music and the years it took me to get hooked: years of trumpet lessons with a mentor that I looked up to, years of attending Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performances and developing the curiosity to stay awake for an entire performance, years of opportunities of playing in ensembles and performing throughout the metro-Atlanta area and the pride my family had for my accomplishments. … [Read more...]

04/9/12 1:14 PM | filed under: Leadership, Uncategorized |

Empty Forest. Tree Falls. Was It Heard Or Felt?

January 27, 2012 by 1 Comment

Blog Post for ArtsJournal.com's "Lead or Follow" Discussion - "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" How would the City of ______ be damaged if the ______ Symphony Orchestra / Opera Company / Ballet Company / Theater Troop / Art Museum were to disappear tomorrow? How would the City of ______ be damaged if the all arts education programs were to disappear tomorrow? Recent data from the Americans for the Arts Economic Impact reports that there are $63.1 billion in total expenditures from … [Read more...]

01/27/12 11:35 AM | filed under: Uncategorized |

Popz’ Advice

November 25, 2011 by 3 Comments

Let what comes out of the bell speak for itself... My father (Popz) would tell me this all of the time and I use to only attribute this advice to my trumpet playing. I started playing when I was eight years old and I always found myself in musical situations where everyone else were many years older than me. I was obsessed with doing my best and proving that I could handle the challenge in front of me. Well, the obsession of tackling big problems and proving they could work hasn't stopped. Four years ago I met with one of the principal's of … [Read more...]

11/25/11 4:50 PM | filed under: Leadership, Play On Philly |

Play On, Philly!

October 6, 2011 by 1 Comment
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After a year of serving the 80 children and families at St. Francis de Sales School in West Philadelphia through the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's Tune Up Philly program, I am very excited to share with you the news that I continue to serve the same children and community under a new banner - Play On, Philly! (POP). Two weeks ago, we launched POP for 110 children at St. Francis, engaging the 80 children from last season while increasing our enrollment this season. There are 17 professional Teaching Artists that work with these children every … [Read more...]

10/6/11 1:06 AM | filed under: Play On Philly |

I Have Something to Say

August 20, 2011 by 3 Comments

Over the past year, I've had several people encourage me to write a book. I always laugh. My third, eighth, and eleventh grade teachers all encouraged me to stick to the trumpet... and believe me, it wasn't because they thought I was a good trumpet player. However, after two years of planning and implementing a music program based on solid social values, I've learned a lot through the process and want to share my thoughts and findings. As the after school music program at St. Francis de Sales School continues under a new banner, I'm sure there … [Read more...]

08/20/11 1:52 PM | filed under: Uncategorized |

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