“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” ~ Carl Jung
I am grateful for my many teachers and influences because through them I am shown a deeper knowing. I acknowledge their gifts they passed on guiding me in countless ways that include love, kindness, communication, embodiment and presence.
Richard Seilheimer, my high school Concert Choir director for teaching me what excellence and high standards are and look like and to know that I will never settle for less.
Jan Kurz, my first singing teacher who taught me the value of to “sing the meaning of the song.”
Peter Rogen for your pedagogy on communication and coaching. You demonstrated to me that close and meticulous observation, sensing and listening yields much.
To my esteemed Voice teachers
Their multiplicity of insight and methods brought me to release and heal my own voice that had been confined and constricted for far too long.
Patsy Rodenburg – for Second Circle Presence; and for “when you are inarticulate, you render everyone around you inarticulate.”
Andrea Haring – your unbounded energy and care; and your Drop-in Warm-ups for Voice exposing me to Kristin Linklater’s work.
Lisa Sokolov – The octaves! Embodied Voice Work.
Nessie Gomes – Your work for Voice as a healer.
To my movement and Viewpoints teachers
Mary Overlie who taught me that it’s a “dog sniff dog world out there” and Standing in Space is a right and a privilege.
Wendell Beavers who taught me “when in doubt, breathe out” plus much more.
Raina Von Waldenberg – for showing me a Presence and connection not from this realm when I experienced the mystical from you on the stage and in the studio like no other.
Kim Weild, Shira Piven, Kristin Tanzer – whose contributions are indelible.
To my Improvisation teachers
Paul Sills whose vision was crystal clear. “Just play the game!” By being true to the work all things are possible. (“it’s not about jokes”)
Viola Spolin – who wrote the book, Improvisation for the Theater. I’ve read your words and played your games which leave me speechless every time.
Aretha Sills “Heighten it!”
Kathy Hendrickson, teacher – No approval!
To my acting teachers
George Morrison, acting teacher, taught me “You are enough.” “When in doubt, make it a voice exercise.” “Find a task.” “No actor talk –only people talk.”
Mike Nichols, director, comedian – “The audience is always smarter than we are. Treat them that way.” Your wisdom, stories and parables will stay with me always. And thanks for the acknowledgement, “always bake a blueberry pie.” (it helps with not acting)
Per Brahe, my Mask teacher, who broke the tension in the room by saying, “Smile, you assholes!” and who showed me immense love, tenderness and kindness when it all became too much.
Other teachers
Richard Strozzi-Heckler and Staci Haines of the Strozzi Institute – through their books and workshops – for modeling what embodied presence is, what deep listening feels like, and that the soma is vital to how we operate in this world.
Kelly Diels for the expression of what is justice.
For my all collaborators and co-conspirators.
Most notably, Alta Maartens who’s immense wisdom I could not have done this without.
To my intrepid clients who braved and ventured to the new worlds we went to. What courage! For being and becoming fully who you are deeply and genuinely.
And, most of all – To my two daughters who have held up the tome of why I am living my values, my truth, my acceptance and learning how to love.
These are but few who I have had the privilege to rely on for boundless inspiration and knowing. By no means in this short epistle have I covered everyone or given those their full due to what they gave me.
Photo credit: Jordan Madrid for Unsplash
