Victoria Janasz
I have fond memories of downtown Minneapolis. I remember climbing to the fourth floor of the old MacPhail building on LaSalle Avenue for Saturday morning piano lessons with my teacher, Nancy. From Pepperoni Pizza to Mozart’s Concerto in C, I experienced the smells, sounds, and sights of this sweet place. I got a taste of these memories this past March while attending the ACDA National Conference.
I listened to rich performances and insightful sessions. As I heard stories of influential people my mind was brought back to those Saturday morning lessons. I was reminded of the people that have invested so much in me: my parents, family, pastors, teachers, directors, professors, and scholarship donors. I would not be the person and teacher I am today without all of these influential people and their support.
Through attending the ACDA National Conference I gained new insights for creating welcoming and engaging rehearsals. I was also inspired by performances and challenged by colleagues. There are few experiences more fulfilling than a renewed passion for your work and the deep conviction that what you do matters. As I remember those that have influenced me in my musical journey I am drawn to invest deeply in my students and hope that their lives will be richly impacted through music.
Thank you to those that have made this scholarship possible.