21 Aug The Professor
I get asked often why I’m a professor if I’m an artist. I didn’t know I had to pick one! Or that I don’t look like a professor. Is there a mold? To the students, I’m relatable and I think they see a bit of themselves in me which is the beauty of it all. My department Chair once told me at the beginning of my career that I had a very unique style of teaching. Honestly, I didn’t know I had a style. I’ve taken what I know about our youth, coupled with what I’ve experienced as a student and what I’ve learned about education and created my professor persona. I am equally as passionate in the classroom as I am in the studio.
The greatest honor of my life has been to have the opportunity, if just for one moment, to inspire a young mind. It’s interesting how I felt the same when a fan would tell me about how they were impacted by my music. There is something to be said about the moment you feel like you’ve passed something on- that you’ve made someone feel something meaningful.
At a young age, we are always asked what we want to be when we grow up and this question confines us. This is the idea behind being a multipotentialite. Doesn’t the saying go, “The world is your oyster?” That means anything is possible so why would we limit ourselves and really, our potential, to the pursuit of one career path. In fact, I wish I had more time so that I was able to pursue more (yes, I actually have more aspirations). I treat every single class as if it were a big performance. All eyes are on me. I take my calling very seriously and I’m grateful that through it, I’ve found my purpose in this world.
After over a year, we are back to school, back to a physical classroom, and back to making memories. This year is going to be so special.