When I became a mother, one of my goals was to be able to offer my kids (stepkids and daughter included) more opportunities than what I was afforded as a child. There was so much I wanted to do and learn while growing up, but for mostly financial reasons, was never able to take advantage of them. While we also have some financial limitations on giving our children everything they want (which would spoil them anyway!), I do want to ensure they get opportunities in life to learn and explore.
The career path I have chosen has actually afforded me some interesting opportunities. First, my career in radio allowed me to meet many country singers (Brooks and Dunn, John Michael Montgomery, Lee Roy Parnell, just to name a few). As a presenter at a performance venue, I also got to meet performers such as Keith Urban, Bea Arther, Debbie Gravitte, and more. Now, in my career in orchestra marketing, I've been able to work with Broadway 'divas' such as Linda Eder, Heather Headley, and now, Idina Menzel.
Last night, Idina Menzel performed with the Colorado Symphony. I have known of Idina since her Rent days. As a Gleek, my daughter knows Idina as "Rachel's mom" on Glee. So it was with great excitement that Maya and I attended the concert last night. Oh, and the legendary Marvin Hamlisch conducted and played piano on some numbers. The first half was orchestra only. Marvin played "Memory" as a solo on the piano. I asked Maya if she liked it and she said "It almost made me cry." I LOVE that my daughter gets music, that she can get the emotion from it.
Maya kept asking "When is Idina coming out?" Finally, the second half of the show started and out walks Idina. I looked over at Maya and the expression on her face was priceless. This woman who she has seen on TV and has heard sing from my iPod is in front of her on stage. She clapped with giddiness and giggled like, well, a school girl.
After the concert, she kept asking if she could meet her. Being a staff member of the orchestra, we were able to get backstage. We waited and waited and finally Idina came out of her dressing room. I pretty much told Maya "go up to her" (kids can get away with bold moves like this.) She did and Idina turned around and said "Oh, Hi!" Maya got to talk with her, we got her picture taken with her, and she got a goodbye hug. As we were walking away, I knew that all the sacrifices that I have made to get to where I am in my career isn't just for me. It's also benefiting my daughter by giving her these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet these amazing performers. How many 6-year-olds get to see an orchestra up close and personal, and has attended numerous concerts? She gets to meet musicians, conductors, singers, dancers, aerialists and acrobats (she got to meet the performers of Cirque de la Symphonie earlier this year).
I don't want this to sound like I'm bragging. I just am so glad that what I've chosen to do in life is having such a positive influence on my child. She is being offered opportunities and experiences that I wasn't able to have as a child. Maybe that's why I have chosen the career path that I have as well. To have these experiences now as an adult, sometimes I feel a bit giddy like a school girl as well.
That's awesome! I was at the concert last night too, and love it! I, unfortunately, was not nearly as lucky as your daughter in terms of meeting Idina. My friend and I (both in our early 20's) waited at the stage door for over an hour for Idina and when she came out, she was quickly (and rather roughly) whisked away by her family. My friend was hoping for a picture and I just wanted to introduce myself and shake her hand. She is such a wonderful talent. You are a wonderful mom for sharing your work with your daughter and giving her wonderful memories!
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