How a Community Benefits from the Arts

Linda Kellough

“Forward, back, forward, back, out. Forward, back, forward, back, out!”

“How was ballet?”

“Fine.”

…

“Forward, back, forward, back, out. Forward, back, forward, back, out!”

“Did you enjoy class?”

“Yes.”

…

“Thanks for getting here on time. Her sonata is fourth on the program.”

“I’m looking forward to an afternoon of sublime piano.”

“What did you think?”

“She’s very good at percussion, isn’t she?”

…

“Forward, back, forward, back, out. Forward, back, forward, back, out!”

“I’m writing the check for next term. Somehow I didn’t realize that she’s up to 11 dance classes a week.”

“Maybe she can stop piano.”

“At least she’s listening to beautiful music all week.”

…

“Forward, back, forward, back, out!”

“Her grades are getting worse and she doesn’t seem to care. The only thing I can think of is to force her to drop a dance in the show.”

…

“Forward, back, forward, back, out!”

“Those were tough years for you and me.”

“You just seemed set on not doing what everyone wanted you to. So stubborn. At least at dance you were someplace with rules.”

“Yeah. My teacher was the one who cracked me. I was determined to be in the front and only the best students got to be there.”

“Why wouldn’t you have always been in front? You always were so good and seemed to love it.”

“Yes, but every time I was disrespectful I had to go to the back. And when she corrected my technique and I rolled my eyes, she would throw me out. I’d have to sit on the bench for the rest of class.”

“So I was paying to have you sit on a bench? How long did that go on?”

“Wasn’t it worth it?”

…

“Forward, back, forward, back, out!”