Teachers can be incredible, influential people. They can be an amazing force for good in our communities and the world! I know there are attributes from many of my teachers that have somehow become a part of who I am.  

I wanted to dedicate a blog post to the amazing teachers I’ve had. I would not be who I am or where I am today without them! I want to be like them and treat my students as they’ve treated me.

I hope this post will make you think of the teachers in your own life and how they’ve helped you. I love hearing stories of teachers who inspire and uplift others. If you’re reading this and have a story, please share below or on my recent instagram/facebook post. (@singwithcarli and Carli Barlow Music).

I want to thank my music teachers Dean Kaelin, Leah Stone, Sarah Wirthlin, Margee Connolly, and Roger Lewis. Thank you to my dance teachers D Hathaway, Janet Gray and her staff at Janet Gray Studios. They each helped me in so many ways, but these are just a few:

Dean always encouraged me to create and record an album of original songs. He helped me produce that album when I was 18 and I’m forever grateful- for that and many other things he has helped me with!  ( Here is that album: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-truth/633253378?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4)

Leah worked overtime with me to help me overcome terrible stage fright and later on in my life she encouraged me to become a vocal teacher.

Sarah helped me take my singing to the next level and prepare for my first real audition.

Margee let me play around with my crazy piano improvisation while still helping me learn how to read my arch nemesis: sheet music.

Roger encouraged me to compose music on the piano and helped me create my first original sheet music.

D helped me understand what it means to be an artist and how to express a thought/feeling/idea through an art form.

Janet Gray has a special place in my heart because she was my teacher longer than any of the others.  From 3 years to 17 years old I saw her 2+ times every week! I feel so blessed to have learned from her.  She always expected my very best- she could really tell when I wasn’t giving it and would definitely let me know.  She showed by example what it means to work hard and create value in someone’s life and in a community. I truly want to be like her.  

Just a couple years ago I constantly had the feeling that I needed to go visit her again.  I was excited to not only see her again, but to tell her I wanted to be a voice teacher and create a business similar to her’s.  I knew she would give advice and encouragement. I kept saying to myself ‘Oh, I’ll go visit soon.’ or, ‘Maybe next week.’ until, it was too late. She died too young of cancer that I didn’t even know she had. 

I still have a broken heart about that, but I know she’s cheering me on and expecting my best like she always did.  I love you Janet!

I invite you to learn from my mistake, and drop a teacher (or loved one!) a visit or a note this week. Don’t postpone your expressions of love and gratitude like I did!

Lastly, I need to thank my biggest teachers of all: Mom and Dad! I could definitely write an entire book about what they’ve done for me, but to keep with the theme of this post I’ll thank them for making it possible for me learn from the wonderful people mentioned above.

Love, Carli