Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Arts Education Programs –
Helps Student Develop Life-Changing Passion       

                        

Meet Caitlin Tarasi.

Today, she is an outgoing, bright, bubbly 17 year old high school senior enrolled in the Early College Program at St. Petersburg College through Palm Harbor University. Caitlin is a member of Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Teen Choir and Teen Troupe. She takes musical theater, vocal performance, dance and drama classes at Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute. Caitlin has taken private voice lessons, participated in the Institute’s work-study program and interned as a teaching assistant.

Five years ago, Caitlin was an extremely shy adolescent who had developed an anxiety disorder that included debilitating panic attacks and severe depression.

To help Caitlin manage these issues, her parents, Lou and Ginny, enrolled her in a Montessori school where, during a music class, she met Roseann Sheppard, the Curriculum Manager: Vocal, Musical Theater, Private Lessons at The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute. Caitlin tells us that Roseann had a major impact on her life by encouraging her interest in singing. And, much to her parents’ surprise, Caitlin enrolled in one of the Institute’s summer musical theater programs, where she developed a life-changing passion for the performing arts.

Once at the Institute, Caitlin met teachers and students who became like a second family to her. Roseann mentored her artistically, while encouraging the interest she was developing in the business end of the arts. As Roseann said while introducing Caitlin at the Harvesting for Scholarships event last November, “When a new student comes into a teacher’s life, that child has no idea how that bond will affect the rest of their life. The same is true for the teacher.”

Caitlin believes that the nurturing environment of the Institute is what allowed her to feel free to try new experiences without anxiety or fear of failure. Thanks to the Institute’s warm and talented faculty, Caitlin not only gained performance ability, but also developed confidence, leadership skills and self-esteem, which she has been able to carry out into the other areas of her life. Caitlin says, “I am a much happier, healthier student because of my involvement at The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall.”

As Caitlin heads off to college, she is looking into pursuing a music degree in either music therapy or music business. She is confident that the knowledge she has gained while at the Institute has prepared her well to move ahead into life’s next challenges.

If you are interested in supporting Ruth Eckerd Hall’s arts education programs, please call Barbara Mazer Gross, Director of Development, at (727) 712-2718. If you are interested in participating in the Hall’s arts education programs, please call The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at (727) 712-2706.

Photo caption:

Lou and Ginny Tarasi with Caitlin at the Ninth Annual Harvesting for Scholarships event where Caitlin spoke about the positive changes that the arts had brought into her life.