DO DREAMS COME TRUE?

"You should be training teachers," is a phrase I've heard for years. Cordially replying, "Oh sure," "someday," or "whatever you say," not giving it a second thought, I just kept on toiling with VOCALCONNECTION's mission at hand.

Since 1981, I intentionally zeroed in on duties gathering on my own plate, walking extra miles for a good cause. My pupils' wellfare was always primary, inventing, researching and developing solutions for my craft, and creating documents to escort my philosophy. I never even once thought of my labor as anything different or unique. My plate was always full of intriguing subject matters. I totally agree with Maya De Angelo, "Let's stop being lazy, thinking." One thing I knew, "I was never going to allow anyone to come my way, without delivering the goods."

Twenty years later, in November 2001, Sue Stanger, the Director of "Visual and the Performing Arts" at the Los Angeles Unified School District, asked me to share my craft with the vocal teachers at LAUSD, January 8, 2002. My anticipation for the occasion was mixed to start with, but the end results became a noble, historic moment. Here are a few scoops from that day.

"Ode's vocal seminar at LAUSD was invigorating, exhilarating, fun and very informative."

"It certainly was a good refresher session for a veteran singer."

"This was my first experience in really thinking through the singing process."

"It was a wonderful experience."

"I have never observed such organization."

"Mr. Wannebo's interaction with his audience...was like a movie in action."

"We need more vocal seminars like this for our community." You bet...dreams do come true.