Learning Without Limits

A4L Miami Teaching Artist Carrie Sue Ayvar on her experience at the Young Audiences National Conference in Houston, TX:

J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan reads “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.”

Well, the Young Audiences Conference in Houston reminded me that we can indeed “fly” and that there are “No Limits!” All we need is a little imagination, a little pixie dust and good people to make it happen.

For me, the conference began with an informal dinner to meet some of the other YA Teaching Artists from different affiliates. Wow, what an interesting and interested group of artists! Amazingly talented, enthusiastic and committed to creating possibilities, they were also incredibly generous and supportive, and willing to share ideas and best practices. The conference’s workshops gave me some great new strategies and ideas to use. The keynotes informed and inspired. I always consider it a “win” if I walk away with one thing I can use, but this time I walked away with so much more.

Yes, I learned things that I will use again and again, but my biggest “take-away” were the people that I met, wonderful students, amazing artists, directors, administrators, and all kinds of caring educators. Getting to discuss experiences, exchange perspectives and share information with such exceptional people was priceless.

I feel like my bag of “pixie dust” has been refilled. The conference left me exhilarated and ready to fly and make more of the magical, unforgettable moments that are the real treasures of arts-Integrated education.

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