DVMTA members and friends gathered either online or in person at Hammer & Strings Conservatory in Gilbert for our last General Meeting of this year. We were privileged to hear from Dr. Karali Hunter, owner and founder of Hammer & Strings Conservatory. Dr. Hunter discussed "Sound in Motion" as she worked with three students of DVMTA teachers. Each student performed and Dr. Hunter helped each to further develop their motion skills to enhance sound, and to invite the audience into the performance. In just a short amount of time, such a difference was seen and heard in each student's ability technical skills, and in their ability to create imagery and expression. Thank you to Dr. Hunter for sharing her skills and knowledge and for connecting with these students in a personal and amazing way. 

No matter where you're from, there's always a sense of optimism when spring arrives! I grew up in Nebraska on a farm and as a child was amazed when entire fields that lay dormant all winter would show signs of new life as little green plants pushed their way up. I've learned the subtle ways to look for spring in the desert. Flowers here bloom year 'round, but now I look for the flower buds to start showing up on my orange trees in March. Other green plants that have gone dormant are now starting to send out new leaves and you can almost hear them sigh as they stretch to meet the sun.

Certain areas of our lives have had to lie dormant, stay in, and be careful during this pandemic. Fortunately, we are beginning to see signs of life returning to normal. I am so proud of our DVMTA Committee Chairmen who have embraced new ideas that have burst forth from the difficult challenges of hosting our annual events. Some events have had slight changes, while others have had drastic revamps! My heart is full of gratitude for our amazing event chairs: Charles Newton-Music Marathon, Claire Westlake-Original Composition, Sara Pratt-Cavalcade, Lorri McHardy- Awards in Excellence, Toni Tetreau-Achievement Day, and Wendi Heslop-Awards Plus. These events have been tremendously successful, and have provided all our students opportunities to keep growing and blooming!
Lori Weidemann, DVMTA President

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