For most of my life I have been intrigued by the world of artistry, from a young

age all I wanted to do was dance, sing, and use my narrow knowledge of art to
express what I was feeling. As I have grown into a young adult that burning
passion has yet to dull. In this essay I wish to express the importance of the arts
and how it has helped me develop as an individual.
I believe that I never chose to be an artist it was just a part of whom I was, on the
other side of this argument there is a moment and reason when I chose to
peruse the arts. As a young child my parents put me into ballet classes, this one
class a week started to become the best part of any given week. There was
nothing else I wanted to do. Along with dancing I started to develop I deep
appreciation for all types of music. I dreamed to play some sort of instrument, but
the school I went to had no type of arts program, thankfully by Fourth grade I had
switched schools and finally had access to music classes. My intrigued drew
greatly. I wanted nothing more than to finally be able to pick up the cool metal of
an instrument and play to my hearts content. This moment of love and hope is
what ultimately made me want to pursue the arts. As my knowledge of and love
for the fine arts grow I continued to make choices that lead me towards growth as
an artist.
As an emerging and growing artist I see my self as a seeker of knowledge who
will not rest until I have achieved the most that I believe I am capable of. I also
have grown to respect my limits as an artist and that my body can only handle
and do so much. In terms of knowledge I see my self as knowing only the tip of
the iceberg, there are so many concepts and ideas that I have yet to grasp. I

believe that by expanding my current encyclopedia a will be able to grow as an

artist and strengthen who I am as a member of society. Being in the arts has
allowed me to obtain a means of focus and perseverance that one can only gain
from the tedious repetition that makes art beautiful. As an artist I also see my self
as a more confident person. When I step on stage the rest of the world melts
away and I am left with my self to show the brilliance of that I do. In total I see
myself as a progressing artist who is waiting to earn her wings.
In the long term I wish to use my knowledge and skills as a dancer and musician
to help other to see how art doesnt need to be so strictly defined. Art and beauty
is present every where and should not be confined to music, dance, drama, and
visual art but expanded into movement, spoken word, hair styling and more.
Along with this I wish to further my dance knowledge by taking class regularly
and doing shows when possible, as well as trying to teach. Another goal that I
think would be attainable for me is auditioning for the decidedly jazz dance works
professional training program. I think that joining this program will allow me to
expand my experience and love for performing. I hope that I will achieve these
goals by continuing to take classes and practice, but also by trying news styles or
joining community ensembles.
Being only human I am unable to predict the future with accuracy but in five
years there are many things I wish to have achieved. Education wise I want to be
done my undergrad degree, and looking for a job that is well suited for me. In my
personal life I wish to be in a steady relationship and still have strong ties with my
family. As an artist I hope I am still performing and actively taking classes maybe

even teaching a bit on the side. Predicting where I want to be even further ahead
to when I am twenty seven seems a bit superfluous because I think I will have
changed in so many ways that I what I think now will not mirror then. Taking this
into consideration I hope that I am, happy and in love with that I do for a living,
but I dont know if this will be with in my degree. I hope that I am taking classes in
dance, and teaching a bit on the side, and that every once in while I pick up my
instrument and play. I think that I will have gone back to university either to
continue in my current degree or start a new one. I wish to be expanding my
knowledge in every way possible.
As an emerging artist countless individuals in my life have influenced me. The
people who I would like to credit with helping my artistry are Shauna Ryll,
Brendan Hagan, Sheryl Reinhardt, Michelle Price, Jessica Breneol, Alisha Ward,
and Virginia Rose. Shauna Ryll was my first music teacher, and she introduced
me into the vast world of music. She was the gateway into my love for music.
When I entered into my first music class in grade six I was bombarded with the
amazing opportunity ahead of me, I could pick up any instrument and I would
learn how to produce the amazing sounds that have enchanted me since I was
young. With her help I blossomed into a beginning musician, and played in her
band from grades six to eight. Slowly learning the basics of music, her influence
during my preteen years helped me start on my path as an artist. The next
instrumental influence to enter my life was Brendan Hagan, I clearly remember
attending my first feeder school concert and watching the grade ten concert band
perform and being completely blown away by their ability to stay completely

together while sounding beautiful. I entered into his disciplined world knowing
that this is where I want to be. His strong need for order, routine, and excellence
pushed me to learn my scales and practice repertoire until I had adopted his
persistence into my everyday life. Brendan Hagan let me into his reservoir of
knowledge, I gained insight about the history of music, theory, and how to
appreciate and learn from other forms of music. Along with this he has taught me
the hard work is the key to success, and that I cannot give up on what I want in
life. As my final few months with him come to a close I realize more and more
everyday how his quirks, methods, and idioms have become a part of who I am
and what I value. I will always be thankful for the knowledge he has passed on to
me.
On my journey as a vocalist my main influence has been Sheryl Reinhardt. When
she arrived in my life I was skeptical of her ability to teach and the experience
that she held, I was quickly proved wrong when she lead her first class handing
out pieces so difficult I never could have imagined being able to make it from
start to end. In a few short months our choir had turned from mediocre to
amazing. She has showed me the importance of music to the community through
performances at seniors homes and for churches. With out her guidance I
wouldnt be able to listen for chords within the choir, and know that I need to take
note of the pitch the piano is playing to ensure my success. She has never been
less the supportive, and I have come to think of her as a friend. She helped a
group of seven students wanting a choir community turn into an executive team
who actively builds friendships. Sheryl Reinhardt is an extraordinary teacher, and

phenomenal individual who I am blessed to have taught me. On a peer level my

Friend Michelle O Brien has been influential because she is always their to help
perfect my artistry, whether this when we sing duets in choir, or when she keeps
a watchful eye when I dance. She has helped me to be mindful, generous, and
kind. She changed from a random kid in the choral 15 class into a thoughtful
vocalist in the mixed choir. I will always be thankful for her contribution in my life
and I could only hope that I have positively affected her over the last three years.
Michelle Price introduced me to a completely different side of dance that I had
not previously been a part of; this was choreography. If I had been told at the
start of grade ten that three years from know I would be choreographing a piece
for five dancers I would have thought that was insane and I would not be capable
of even starting. With the tender help of Michelle Price I have been able to
access my creative side and learn about choreography elements, and how to use
them to my advantage. In her class I was also exposed to disciplines that I am
not regularly a part of. This has helped me grow to love the moves and aspects
that I am not proficient at. Due to her exposure she has also made me a more
articulate dancer by teaching the history and important figures of each style that
we part take in. Price has also helped me grow technique wise due to her
constant corrections on placement. She has inspired me to keep dancing and
performing.
A Constance stream of support has come from my Jazz teacher Jessica Breneol.
Over the past two years she has transferred her love of every form of dance to
me. She has become more than just a teacher but a friend, if I have a problem

she is always there to talk it out and make me feel better. Being able to see her
excel in university and grow as a teacher has made me want these things as
well. I want to work hard for my achievements and be able to say that I have lived
up to her expectation in all areas of my life.
Another influential teacher I have had is Alicia Ward, as a tap teacher she never
ceases to amaze me with her quick footwork and endless knowledge about the
craft. My real fascination with Alicia is how she approaches everything as an art
form; she wants to change the world one step at a time by showing the outside
world the importance of art. I wish to adopt a similar view point of allowing the
arts to bring something special to all individuals regardless of their involvement in
the arts.
Another peer who has influenced me is Virginia Rose; I have a deep admiration
for her technical precisian and strong flexible body. Virginia has a grace in her
movement that leaves me in awe very time I watch her dance. She is one of my
biggest role models at the peer level. She is confident and approachable, while
being clearly knowledgeable. I can only wish to achieve her grace in my years to
come as a dancer.
Together with the help of these people I have learned to call myself an artist, I
title that I am still skeptical of. To me being an artist means doing something with
your art, whether that be choreographing, composing, performing, or helping
others with art; you have to be actively participating in the arts community. I have
yet to achieve this, but hope that every day I am becoming closer to a true artist.

The teachers and lessons do not stand on their own along with the amazing
lessons that I have learned from these people I have also gained experience and
appreciation from the many arts related events in my life. The event that
influenced me the most as a musician happened during my grade eleven year.
We were on choir tour and had the chance to sing with the Kokopelli Choir. This
moment showed me the magic that could happen when you sing or play with
people who care. As well as the connections that you make when partaking in
these activities is one that cannot be found anywhere else. This event also gave
me something to strive for when I sing with my own choir. I wanted the connected
sound that they were capable of. As a dancer the event that has influenced me
the most so far is when I got the chance to choreograph my own piece and pick
the dancers that appeared in it. This was a learning experience because it taught
me the importance of listening while working with others. This event was also a
chance to see the arts in a new light. I was taught that things will not always go
my way and that I need to be able to fix any problem that I am faced with.
My education in the arts has come from both school and recreational elements.
With the start of my formal education I was not exposed to arts in a supportive
way, at this time in my life the only arts outlet I had was recreational dance. As I
moved through the school grades I found my exposed more and more to the fine
arts through school programs and through band and dance classes outside of
school. With out the school programs I cant say that I would have ever found my
way into music. The education and support that is found in the public education
system can be lacking, but even when its there no matter how petite it is it is

always beneficial. Through the public system I have learned the basics of reading
notes into the more advanced theory of chord progressions and smooth voice
leading. With out this tremendous part of my life that my teachers have taken a
part in I wouldnt be able to begin calling my self an artist. I would not have the
skill set and mentality to do well in my studies and in life, let alone sit done and
practice for hours on end just so I can get that one measure perfect. I am aware
that music and dance have helped me be a more focused individual who is able
to pick apart details of an assignment or problem in my life. The creativity that I
have learned has taught me how to look for alternative ways to solve problems
and mishaps that happen on the regular. The interplay between artistry and
formal education has shaped me into not only an artist but as an articulate
member of society. Dancing and music have made me undeniably happy and
high-spirited. My life would be vacant with out the love and support that I have
gained through the arts. If the lessons I have learned are not enough to enhance
my quality of life, than the people and sense of community I have experienced
are.
The effects of the arts on the individual and society are too often over looked.
Many people do not think of the arts programs in schools to be equal to the
music they listen to or the movies they enjoy, but with out these programs their
entertainment would not exist. With out the arts the world would be like a blank
piece of paper with no potential. The arts gain their importance in society by
bringing life and colour to other wise boring displays. The arts are what provide
thousands of individuals a reason to wake up every morning. It brings people joy,

love, sorrow, and nostalgia. The art in society is what allows us to access our
emotions and create a world of mystic. The fine arts is the over looked glue that
keeps society on its toes.