From the February edition of The Middleburg Eccentric THE ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE By Tom Neel Amazing Creative Collaboration. Think about what these three words mean? Okay, now I’ll tell you. It’s what happens when you put Tom Sweitzer and Kim Tapper together. A community like Middleburg enjoys all types of partnerships, organizations and life long friendships. They are what make a little town like Middleburg such a gem. But what makes a gem a jewel, is when everybody in the town reaps the benefits of such a friendship as this one. I met Tom Sweitzer many years ago as he made Middleburg his home and began his 17 year long stay with The Hill School, as their Artistic Director. Our God children attended Hill and we watched many little minds and personalities transform into the greatness of youthful enthusiasm. This, in one play after another, under the watchful and passionate eye of Tom. You could tell through his work that Middleburg had not only become home, he had become a golden thread in the fabric his community. During those years, Hill hosted the Crossroads Dance Project, a non profit modern dance company, where a new community face and name would surface. Serving as CDP’s co-Artistic Director, Kim Tapper’s modern dance filled the Hill Playhouse stage with life. I can recall her emotional facial expressions to this day, as much as her poetic movement. Art is about being inspired and inspiring others. It is also about growth and rising talent. The path you take is a personal one, and so true collaboration is one that not only shares the benefits of teamwork, but enhances individual achievements in the process. As individuals both have excelled. Tom has gone on to receive his Masters Certificate in Music Therapy and has written 35 original musicals. Kim, becoming a life coach, is credentialed as an ACC through the International Coach Federation, CPCC - Coach Training Institute, as a Life Strategies Coach - Spencer Institute. She has also choreographed over 20 musical productions. As creative partners these two have been just as motivated. In 2004 the two co-founded the non profit - Creative Youth Theater Foundation, of which I served on their board. I personally believe this foundation was an important step in who they have become today. While that Foundation is no longer in service, the two of them very much are and they have become far more focused. I analogize by saying; It’s one thing to have a pencil, another to put a good point on it and another thing altogether to have it become a fine writing instrument. This is what they have become with their foundation - A Place To Be, which they opened in 2010. A Place To Be, indicates through its name that many children are lost and need a place to be. Today, as I currently serve on the advisory board of the Loudoun Education Foundation, I see startling examples of children which may or have already slipped through the cracks. It’s become a complex world and I certainly do not have all the answers. But I can say with confidence, a gleaming example of a community safety net lies in organizations such as A Place To Be. Tom and Kim, along with a very capable staff and supportive board, are able to catch many of those who might fall beyond reach and not only catch them, but bring them back. Social pressures, personal issues, disabilities, behavioral problems, syndromes, depression and just plan searching for one’s self, is a lofty list of things to tackle and the demand for their services is high. This scary notion only allows any of us who care, to know that there are those who are passionately dedicate to this type of problem solving. It’s one thing to do it, it’s another thing to love what you do and that’s what is going on at A Place To Be. A nurturing environment where music is but one of their therapeutic tools. I was recently listing to NPR’s Diane Rehm Show on the topic of disabilities and loved what one of her guests said: We need to focus less on the Dis and more on the Abilities. That is exactly what Tom, Kim and A Place To Be strive to do and on top of this, they then share it with the their community. For more information or need, visit them in Middleburg or online at aplacetobe.org Live An artful Life, Tom Neel
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 01:54:41 +0000
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