I had the privilege to check in students at the Awards in Excellence auditions on Saturday. It was such a fun experience to watch as they awaited their turns to play. Some students were busily studying their music, trying to review and remember as much detail as possible. Others were pacing around, burning off some nervous energy. Others sat quietly, seeming at ease, but then I couldn’t see what was going through their minds at the time. Maybe they truly were calm, maybe they were just good at faking it.
Parents, too, were fun to watch. Some were obviously heavily invested in their child’s success, talking them through certain things, fretting about their dress or hair, etc. Others were much more laid back, chatting with other parents, taking care of siblings, and letting the competitors be. Every child is different, and parents know their needs better than I, so I cannot judge. Awards in Excellence is admittedly a stressful audition situation, and each student handles that in a different way. Fun to watch them cope.
As I’ve thought about this and applied it to my life, I thought about the stressful situations we each face. Coming to the end of the school year, there’s a crunch to prepare for recitals, auditions, and Achievement Day. The calendar fills with end of the year concerts, plays, musicals, sports tournaments, dance recitals and the like. Each event is a reason to celebrate, but together they can become a burden.
How will we face that? Are we mentally driven, making to-do lists and detailed calendars to find peace? Are we physically driven, using exercise to calm us? Or are we more spiritually driven, preferring meditation or prayer to find serenity? Remember the Hawaiian Lokahi concept. Keeping mind, body and spirit in balance is vital to living in peace in this world. If we find our minds racing out of control, maybe a moment of quiet reflection and spiritual energy will help. If we find ourselves constantly running late, dashing here, there and everywhere, maybe taking the time to mentally focus would be beneficial.
Like those waiting students, we each must find a way to cope with the stresses of life. I’m grateful for that busy calendar, for people to care about, for students to nurture and help succeed. I’m grateful for friends and family who keep me grounded. I’m grateful for each one of you, for the influence you have had on my teaching and on me as a person. As I approach the end of my term as president, I’m grateful for the friendships I have built in DVMTA. So many of you give of your time and talents to help this organization thrive, and I truly appreciate your service.
I invite you to attend our April Brunch on Friday, April 24 at the LDS church building at 1054 W. 2nd Place in Mesa. We will install our new executive board that day and recognize the great service our outgoing board has given. We welcome Diana Palmer as our new President, Sara Pratt as Vice-president, Tammy Shorts as Treasurer, and Jenna Hartley as Secretary. I know each one of these ladies and they will do their very best to further the mission of DVMTA.
I wish you the best in all your endeavors and hope you find the balance in life that brings you peace.
With love,
Lorri McHardy
View the full April 2026 DVMTA Newsletter
Parents, too, were fun to watch. Some were obviously heavily invested in their child’s success, talking them through certain things, fretting about their dress or hair, etc. Others were much more laid back, chatting with other parents, taking care of siblings, and letting the competitors be. Every child is different, and parents know their needs better than I, so I cannot judge. Awards in Excellence is admittedly a stressful audition situation, and each student handles that in a different way. Fun to watch them cope.
As I’ve thought about this and applied it to my life, I thought about the stressful situations we each face. Coming to the end of the school year, there’s a crunch to prepare for recitals, auditions, and Achievement Day. The calendar fills with end of the year concerts, plays, musicals, sports tournaments, dance recitals and the like. Each event is a reason to celebrate, but together they can become a burden.
How will we face that? Are we mentally driven, making to-do lists and detailed calendars to find peace? Are we physically driven, using exercise to calm us? Or are we more spiritually driven, preferring meditation or prayer to find serenity? Remember the Hawaiian Lokahi concept. Keeping mind, body and spirit in balance is vital to living in peace in this world. If we find our minds racing out of control, maybe a moment of quiet reflection and spiritual energy will help. If we find ourselves constantly running late, dashing here, there and everywhere, maybe taking the time to mentally focus would be beneficial.
Like those waiting students, we each must find a way to cope with the stresses of life. I’m grateful for that busy calendar, for people to care about, for students to nurture and help succeed. I’m grateful for friends and family who keep me grounded. I’m grateful for each one of you, for the influence you have had on my teaching and on me as a person. As I approach the end of my term as president, I’m grateful for the friendships I have built in DVMTA. So many of you give of your time and talents to help this organization thrive, and I truly appreciate your service.
I invite you to attend our April Brunch on Friday, April 24 at the LDS church building at 1054 W. 2nd Place in Mesa. We will install our new executive board that day and recognize the great service our outgoing board has given. We welcome Diana Palmer as our new President, Sara Pratt as Vice-president, Tammy Shorts as Treasurer, and Jenna Hartley as Secretary. I know each one of these ladies and they will do their very best to further the mission of DVMTA.
I wish you the best in all your endeavors and hope you find the balance in life that brings you peace.
With love,
Lorri McHardy
View the full April 2026 DVMTA Newsletter
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