Graduation Day

It's official. My daughter graduated from high school this past weekend. Guess what arrived in the mail today? Her first college bill. I'm supposed to celebrate that, right?

As we reflect on the past year and the process it entailed, I hope it's been clear that we didn't complete every, or any, step perfectly. My daughter asked me recently, "Do you think the college audition process was worth it?" My answer was and is a resounding, "Yes. Absolutely." Without this experience she would not proceed to the next steps in her life and career having encountered things that make her a harder worker, more resilient performer and all-around better person. Without this process, she wouldn't know the experience of multiple auditions in all types of schools and environments. She wouldn't take with her the understanding of what it's like to show up with no warm-up space, no where to sit, or the exhaustion of weekend after weekend of auditions. She wouldn't know how it feels to sing a song so many times that you're weary from it, but as a result finding complete lack of nervousness and poise when singing that same song for hundreds of people at her graduation recital. She wouldn't know what it's like to "go up" at an audition early in the process and overcome the ghosts that haunt a performer after doing so.

Of course, there is the fact that my job, passion and my students benefit from this knowledge. The experience has provided me with ample information to create a website, www.collegemtguide.com, this blog, and the resources that go with it. Dear reader, please peruse this site if your student is engaging in this process or share it if you know someone who is. Some new elements since my last blog entry include an overview of types of degrees and a list of musical theatre programs.

More than all of these things, as time with my daughter slips through my fingers, I personally wouldn't trade the opportunity to connect with my daughter that this experience created. Any parent in the same boat can look forward to these things. Enjoying the ups and downs of traveling together, time shared, talks had and traditions made. In three months, when my daughter reports for college, I'll cherish these moments even more.