ENERGY IS THE CULMINATION OF A LOT OF THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ARTS IN THE MONROE COUNTY AREA.  MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE MADE EFFORTS IN THE PAST TO BRING MORE ARTS EXPERIENCES TO MONROE COUNTY.  THIS EFFORT IS A CONTINUING STRUGGLE THAT LOOKS MORE AND MORE ATTAINABLE EVERYDAY.  THE MONROE AREA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO VIEW AND EXPERIENCE ARTS PERFORMANCES CLOSE TO HOME.  THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ARTS SCHOOLS IN THE AREA TRYING TO GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED.  I SEE THESE SCHOOLS AS FRIENDS WITH A COMMON CAUSE AND NOT AS COMPETITORS.   I WISH THE DOORS WOULD BUST DOWN WITH PEOPLE AT ALL THE SCHOOLS, AND THAT WE WOULD NEED WAITING LISTS OF STUDENTS EAGERLY WANTING TO PARTICIPATE .  WE ARE ON THE VERGE.  I HAVE GRAND PLANS FOR COMMUNITY SHOWS, CHORUSES, SHOWCHOIRS, DANCE TROUPES, CLOGGING TEAMS, INSTRUMENTALISTS, AND THESPIANS OF ALL AGES.  OF COURSE, AS AN ARTIST I AM ALSO A DREAMER.  MY HUSBA ND, WHO IS FROM THIS AREA ORIGINALLY, INSISTS THIS BATTLE WILL NOT BE EASILY WON, BUT I, THE ETERNAL OPTOMIST WILL PREVAIL.  THIS I AM SURE OF.  IN AN AREA RICH WITH THE SOUNDS OF BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL MUSIC, FINE ARTISTS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO TAP THEIR TOES, IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THE WHOLE AREA WILL BE KNOW FOR ITS MUSIC, DANCING, AND THEATRE AS WELL. 

I AM NOT IN THIS PROFESSION FOR THE MONEY.  I AM IN IT BECAUSE MY HEART IS IN IT.   I AM IN IT BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO HAVE THE FEELING I HAVE WHEN I EXPERIENCE ARTS AND WHEN I PERFORM ART!