I went to the opening night of Beauty and the Beast at Arlington High School tonight - my daughter Leah is the stage manager and has devoted herself to that work in numerous productions. It was all I could do to keep from tearing up as I watched yet another group of beautiful high school kids finding their voices, giving the gift of performance, and making an impression on everyone in the audience, and especially the younger kids, not to mention themselves. We had George Trautwein. They have Michael Byrne and others. Yes, George was completely extraordinary and one-of-a-kind, and yet there are so many incredible people out there teaching our kids music, art and life every day. I am so grateful for them and have and will continue to tell them, often. George Trautwein made an indelible mark on my life. He was kind, brilliant, demanding, sensitive, zany, human, and full of passion for singing. His example, his generosity, his friendship were an unbelievable gift to me and my entire family. We will miss him dearly, yet he is always in our heart. All our love goes out to Michael in these days and years to come.
