A MUSICAL TOP 8 THANKSGIVUKKAH LIST: THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR IN 2013
In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, along with the early arrival of Hanukkah this year, our Music Unites staff thought it might be fun to make a list of what we are thankful for in the music industry. We wanted to know how some of our team members personally feel about music -- what it has meant to them, and why it is an integral part of their lives.
8. "Music serves a purpose in almost every aspect of my life and there is always a song I can find to fit any situation. Music comes through my headphones from the time I wake up to the time I make my way to bed. What I am most thankful for is witnessing the true joy that music has the ability to offer."
-Joe Dungan, Ambassador Coordinator
7. "When I was an angry, awkward teenager in the late 90s, music was my escape. After school, I would put on my headphones, turn on my disc-man and be immediately transported to a place that made me feel like I belonged. I am particularly thankful for having said headphones during a family trip to Hilton Head circa 1998 because they helped me achieve my longest silent streak to date: 16 hours of riding the car -- not speaking a word to anyone because I was too engrossed in my music (which at the time, was shamelessly dominated by tracks from Hanson to Fiona Apple)."
-Lauren Applebaum, Director of Public Relations and Media
6. "Music is what I go to after a break-up, a night out with the girls; it's what I listen to as I fold the laundry. It is the music that makes me walk faster to my destination or saunter to others. It's the song that knew me so well -- the one that seemed to be written for me. It's that go-to song that brings me back to my center. Music is the vein of my existence."
-Michelle Golden, Managing and Creative Director
5. "Music is the language of the soul. I am thankful to have two ears to be able to hear and feel it. I am also thankful for my Music Unites family for creating so many opportunities for children to also experience the magic of music!"
-Glenda Fu, Chief Operating Officer
4. "I'm thankful for music because it pulls people from different cultures and parts of the world together. It creates a platform where they share their joy by dancing and playing music. It breaks down and eliminates any boundaries and promotes good vibes."
-Joaquin Reyes, Director of Community Affairs
3. "Music has brought many wonderful things to my life -- tender moments with family, bursts of excitement during concerts, sheer amazement at the talent of another's musical ability, strength, confidence, inspiration and tranquility. It's integrated with so many memorable moments from my past and what I hope will be poignant times in my future."
-Lori Feiler-Fluger, Event and Media Assistant
2. "As I sit and really determine the things that I am thankful for, it would have to be opportunity. My dream is to work and be involved with music and to inspire and influence others through that medium. Without the opportunity to attend a school where I can fully chase my dreams, I may have wandered aimlessly through life. But I have received a great deal of wonderful memories and lessons from my studies. And music, along with Music Unites, helped me realize that I AM capable of getting out there and realizing my dreams. That opportunity is what I am most thankful for."
-Kyle Alfred, Executive Assistant and Music Unites Youth Student Ambassador
1. "Music is a universal language that brings us all together. It moves cultures and society. It's a powerful outlet and vehicle in creating positive change in the world as we've seen in our work empowering students through music. It's a gift we can share with others -- a very personal and intimate way to connect and express ourselves."
-Michelle Edgar, Founder and Executive Director
And one thing that we are ALL thankful for... THAT MUSIC EXISTS, PERIOD.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!