Changed With Tirro

Welcome to the premiere of a new segment of Changed for the Better: the power or arts in education called “Ask Tirro.”

If you’ve been watching, listening to, or reading the podcast blog, you know that the show is based on me asking my alumni ten questions that lead us into an incredible journey back to their high school performing arts experiences. Through their stories, they reveal who they were, who they are, what they’ve learned, and how their dance and Thespian experiences have impacted them as humans.

As a teacher, I get tons of questions from my students all the time. Most of the time, it’s related to school stuff, but sometimes, they are about my personal experience. That’s when the conversations get interesting. I thought it might be compelling (and challenging) to turn the tables a bit and have my Changed for the Better guests ask me a burning question that they’ve had about me, my teaching experience or any part of my own journey through the years that led me to teaching.

I don’t know what they’re going to ask ahead of time, but I’m excited to sit in the hot seat!

My first “Ask Tirro” guest is from episode 36: Nathalie Alcime!

Nathalie’s was a particularly special one, not only because it was a two-parter, (here’s part one and here’s part two) but because it featured her virtual recital performance of the song “Now?” that I co-wrote during they pandemic with my episode six guest Hernz Laguerre, Jr.

While the original intent of this segment was for my guests to ask one or two burning questions, Nathalie was a bit of an overachiever. She was really interested in the overall journey, from my background in music, to my late discovery of musical theater in middle school, through my college education in the arts and the transition from performer to teacher.

We also talked about how I approach the learning process, the creative process (organized chaos), the collaborative process, how taking calculated risks has shaped my career, and how sometimes, you have to re-assess the path you’re taking in order to follow the one you are meant to be on.

Other topics covered: my publishing experience. winning the ACOR arts educator award, and what my favorite song is to sing. She even asked what artist I’d open for it I had the chance. Tune in for this and so much more!