Artist in Residence
It has been a couple weeks since I wrapped up my artist in residence at The University of the Pacific with Michael the Jung. I must say it was one of the most humbling and validating experiences to date. Upon arriving on campus, I immediately had flashbacks of my time at DePaul, and I could not help but to feel a sense of pride that I have finally reached a certain point of success. It reminded me that although it is important to keep your eyes on the big, long-term goals, it is essential to acknowledge the incremental successes along the way. Even though I am no expert and still learning how to navigate this industry, I am excited about the opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge with those who are willing to learn.
Talking to a room full of students in about six to eight classes was more tiring than I expected, though I now understand the life of a teacher and professor who does it day in and day out. I tip my hat off to them for their dedication and stamina. When I stepped into the first set of classes, it quickly set in what this all meant. It was our job to give these eager students a little insight on how to grow in their craft, art, dreams, and goals to the next level. I remember sitting in classes wishing I had someone come talk to me who I could relate to at that age. Their attentiveness and demeanor in the classroom demonstrated how inquisitive they all were. All the students were talented, driven, and yet so humble. They all seemed to crave more information, whether it was a little extra knowledge or constructive feedback, and it was so wonderful to see that these students will be the next go-getters in the entertainment industry. The most rewarding part of it all was after each class, Michael and I would look at each other and say, “that was actually really good, we might know what we are doing here.”
Many times, we sell ourselves short of our accomplishments, knowledge, and skills. When there is no other choice but to thrive, we end up surprising ourselves with what we actually do know and what we can do. I used a few main phrases that week— “If you want it go get it,” “rely on your tool box; it will not fail you, and “always be your true, authentic self.” I later realized that there I was doing the very thing I had advised, relying on my own tool box speaking from class to class, giving insight and direction. I cannot stress enough how important it is to go out and inspire those who need that lift, to generously share that inspiration to push them to the next level. Tell someone they can do what they dream and encourage people to reach for the stars. Share your knowledge and understanding to best of your ability and rise up with those you interact with.
The path of an artist is a long one and it never really ends, but we do it because we love it. It gives us a satisfaction that can only be described by the ones who understand the power of music and the freedom to express oneself authentically through art. Inspire, embrace, and encourage.
As Always,
TMARC ♠️
