Tumwater Youth Performing Art Showcase

Originally published on social media on February 13th, 2024

I almost didn’t go to this show tonight because I was tired from a hard day. That would have been a huge mistake — I had a blast watching these 500+ kids sing/play their hearts out!

Every performance made me smile! I loved seeing the enthusiasm on the students faces, and I was sending kind thoughts to those who genuinely looked nervous. I remember what it feels like to be in their shoes, and even though I know none of these kids, I’m really proud of every single one of them.

I’m also really proud of our community for showing such strong support! The show was sold out! How wonderful is that?! I love the fact that my city so strongly supports the arts! We need the arts in our lives, and students especially need the arts! Not only is music good for the brain, but for the heart and it gives students a way to express their emotions when they can’t find the words to fully describe them (or understand them).

We also really need really good arts teachers — and voting for things that keep their programs alive is crucial in times like these! I’ve had some incredible music teachers in my life, and I even got to enjoy one of her choirs perform tonight (yes I’m looking at you Rachel). Watching Rachel’s choirs perform reminded me of when I was in their shoes looking up at her myself. She always had such a warm and kind smile on her face, and I always felt safe and joyful having her as a teacher and conductor. I just know her kids felt the exact same way tonight, and that makes my heart feel so glad.

Speaking of memories, I ironically enough had a dream last night that I was in high school choir. Whenever you hear about adults having high school dreams, they are typically nightmares, but my dream wasn’t. It felt like coming home to a choir room I haven’t seen in years. I felt so delighted in my dream to be surrounded by old friends and music stands, and hear the gossip and laughter of the room mixed in with something being played on the piano. I LOVED being in choir during my 7th-12th grade years. Admittedly I was a little bummed to wake up from that dream, but I loved embracing my own choir kid nostalgia at the concert tonight and hope to attend another in the future.