Dear Class of 2020,
Congratulations on your graduation!
Seniors, you will forever hold an extra-special place in my heart because we entered our high school journeys in unison.
We've been through more collective joy and sorrow these past four years than we ever could have imagined. We've celebrated together and mourned together, singing through elation, grief and healing.
I'm so proud of the people you’ve become and the ways you've learned to use your voices.
As you create your way in this world as artists and humans, remember that art IS the way.
Art is the way toward empathy and connection. Through art, we can catch a glimpse of another person's experience - their point of view, emotions, motivations, and behaviors - and better understand our common humanity.
Art is about learning how to express, not striving to impress. Art requires that you invest your full being - standing in your integrity as you open yourself to risk and expose your work to judgement.
In a world full of dissonance and division, you know how to sing in harmony, for a choir produces beauty far greater than the individual sum of its parts. As a soloist and as a chorister, you understand discernment - when to lead and when to follow. You grasp what it means to show up in service - when to listen and learn, and when to project your voice and make your presence known.
Your study of languages and musical styles gives you an understanding of history, context and cultures different than your own. You've gained an appreciation for the sound of the human experience, setting aside your own tastes, personal preferences and perceptions in search of dignity and value.
In singing, we talk about grounding, alignment and expansion. Now is the time to apply these concepts to your life: ground yourself in what you know to be true, align with your values and expand your horizons.
Choosing how you show up to life - your thoughts, your beliefs, your behaviors, your attitude, your work ethic, your relationships, your actions - is the only certainty for as long as you are gifted on this earth.
Just as you did when you were a freshman, you will learn how to sing out despite your fears and anxieties. You are not only going to be okay and handle whatever comes your way (hello 2020!), but you will thrive.
As you work to make your own contributions and positive impact on this world, remember that you are well-trained in how to use your voice. It is a skill you have cultivated, crafted and developed, and the lessons and experiences of these past four years will be with you always.
In the words of lyricist Lynn Ahrens in the musical Ragtime, "Go out and tell our story. Make them hear you."
Wishing you a lifetime of wonderful ahead!
Be well and sing on,
Miss Gina
