Our June Happenings begins with a message from our Exec Director Jeff Lyscczyn, who says
Two years. TWO YEARS! Wow, how quickly the time has flown. June 1st marks the start of my third year as executive director of the RAA.
I’m so very grateful. This community has supported me and the work of the RAA since I arrived, and we’ve done so much together in service of the arts in Rutherford County. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My middle child graduated from high school this year. She’s headed to Trevecca as a commercial voice performance major. I am, of course, extremely proud of her. She’s a great case study of how the arts shapes young people in our community. Last fall, she was struggling with what to choose as her major. Music and theatre are in her soul, and she has a heart for ministry. She’s also a pragmatist and considered other areas of study that would provide greater odds of employability.
I hoped that she’d choose to chase the “big dream.” My parents supported me when I wanted to move 800 miles away from home to pursue a career in the music business, and I try to parent by their example. Mentors like her middle school choir director Amy Zerner, piano instructor Allison Blumenthal, voice instructor Stephanie Jones, and Ron Alley at Carpe Artista, who gave her a shot at teaching voice lessons, are the voices in her head that prevailed in her decision. I know she’s grateful for all of them, and so am I!
We all have the opportunity to encourage and facilitate confidence in the emerging artists in our community. Most of you already do, whether you know it or not! My challenge to all of us is to compliment someone’s work or to let them know that it brings you joy to see or hear it! It might just be the difference!
We’ll be out at Simply Smyrna and Juneteenth with our RAA booth this month. Stop by, make a piece of art, get your America 250 passport stamped, and say hello! You’ll see more info about these events in the newsletter, as well as links to volunteer.
See you there!
Jeff
Read on for events in many genres, calls for artists and vendors, and much more!
