Thank you for following me on these posts about my work history and discoveries. While some may find a memoir like this tedious, I hope that some of you find it interesting. I’ll try to keep this last part brief.
Throughout our teaching artist career, we have focused on school assembly programs because that’s where the funding was and where we could have the greatest impact on children. We also have a penchant for writing and performing programs corresponding to children’s social-emotional needs. Increasingly, though, we find ourselves moving toward health and wellness and using songwriting as our principle modality.
As most of my long-term readers know, Beth and I pulled up stakes in 2022. After the children left the nest, we sold our home and purchased an RV to see if we A) loved travel and B) wanted to move away from suburban New York. The answers were YES, we love to travel, and YES, we wanted to relocate to a small town. We did that when we resettled in Sullivan County, NY.
We love Sullivan because the pace is slower, the cost of living is lower, and the people are generally more relaxed. We have also discovered that while there are plenty of farmers, fishermen and firemen up here, there aren’t many teaching artists.
Over the past year, we’ve broken into the school system and written songs and created programs for veterans, non-profits, and at-risk youth. Over the next few months, we’ll co-write a song with local stakeholders encouraging people to find support for substance abuse. Also in the works is hosting a podcast tentatively titled “Healthy Habits” with a special focus on recovery. Phew!
The secret sauce to the above is collaboration. Through the efforts of a local couple, Gary and Judy Siegel, of the STEAM FUND, we connect with local folks and use our skillset to answer the community’s needs. Gary is a former music teacher from Liberty, NY and the man has energy and enthusiasm sufficient to light up a small town. We’re lucky to have him in our lives and I know that he and Judy feel the same way about us.
So, that’s it. You’re all caught up, and it felt great to review this part of my working life. As I said to Beth, today, “I’m not expecting to retire, just slow down one day. But that time sure ain’t here yet!”
