I was thrilled to be invited by San Diego State University Communications Professor Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D., to present a virtual (Zoom) shortened session of Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku to her upper level undergraduate course – COM 428 class: Communicating Workplace Wellness.
This was on December 8th, one of the last days of the Fall, 2020 semester (and of course during the current challenging pandemic).
We started with Dr. Geist-Martin introducing me, followed by my brief bio, PowerPoint presentation and photos to encourage writing. The students had the choice of writing from several different prompts i.e. one of the photos that I showed to them, the best day in your life, or worst day in your life, pandemic related stress, love, nature, seasonal, etc.
What a wonderful afternoon! It was amazing how quickly the students formed their haiku! They were so attentive, enlightening . The session was interactive via audio or adding their haiku or questions or comments to the chat area. I added some suggestions with a few haiku…
Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, SJF Communications
SDSU COM 428 – 12.8.2020
Love is happiness
The warmth and security
everlasting comfort!
-Leah
SJF suggestion: last line can be changed to: comfort, everlast!
The cold breeze is strong,
the sun falls behind the cliffs,
winter has begun
-Natalie
Lookout the window
Snow is falling from the sky
The candle brings warmth
-Adrian
Ninety days and night
Future grown in the sunlight,
Early retirement found.
-Daniel
SJF suggestion: Last line can be changed to: retire early? (with ? at the end)
Red nose, cooling breeze
Hot cocoa warming cold hands
Nights bring colored lights
-Melissa
Workplace wellness is
Communication together
Thanks for your effort
-Josah
SJF suggestion: 2nd line could be: people/persons/students (either) communicating
Though we are deprived
I find myself healing with
You. Hope you stay well.
-Josah
SJF suggestion: 2nd line can be : I find that I heal with you (7- heal is one syllable!)
SJF suggestion: 3rd line can be: I hope you stay well
I met you thank god
gently adventurous, you are
breeze to my summer
-Alma
SJF suggestion: 2nd line can be: gentle, adventurous you
Family is here,
sitting around the fire pit,
this is Christmas time
-Natalie
SJF suggestion: 2nd line can be: sits around the fire pit
Morning desert light
First show the sun will put on today
Cold breeze turns to heat
– Gladys
SJF suggestion:2nd line can be: first show sun puts on today
Whistle of the wind,
my soul flutters through the sky,
seeking peace in mind
– Kayla
The blissful nature,
calms my wandering mind
that comforts my soul
-Taylor
SJF suggestion: 2nd line can be: calms down my wandering mind
Staring at my love
Under a sky full of stars
Will you marry me?
-Janell
Looking out to see
Something new in my landscape
To transform my life
-Patricia
Inside is raging
Silently hoping for change
Awaken what’s lost
-Patricia
What an amazing afternoon! Thank you to Dr. Patricia Geist-Martin for inviting me and for the students for participating!
Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D., Bill Torres and Sarah Parsloe, Ph.D.
“WHY ME?” These were the first words that Bill Torres spoke after waking up from his stroke. Like many survivors, Bill lived his first days and weeks after stroke in a dark, heavy cloud of depression. Depression creates feelings of hopelessness, guilt, helplessness, and decreased energy—all symptoms that stand in the way of a survivor’s efforts to regain mobility and speech. Yet, rather than dwelling on asking “WHY ME?” Bill’s second words were, “WHAT NOW?” He set his mind to getting better, little by little, every day. As researcher and author, Peter Levine (2013) suggests, stroke survivors must “fall in love with the process … [and] see the process of recovery as an opportunity for growth.”
Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crises – A Stroke Survivor’s Storytells Bill Torres’ story of recovery and advocacy. The book is structured along two different timelines—the timeline of Bill’s early life and the timeline of his life from stroke onward. Chapters are alternated between Bill’s stories of growing up in San Diego and chapters that provide accounts of Bill’s journey of stroke recovery. These two separate storylines come together near the close of the book as we explore Bill’s approach to recovery and advocacy.
Part One:Picking Up the Pieces; Connecting the Dots explores the aftermath of Bill’s stroke and discusses the ways in which stigma, depression, and internalized ableism shaped Bill’s initially difficult emotional response to stroke. It also offers accounts of how his communication with key health care providers reinforced Bill’s drive to work on his own rehabilitation.
Part Two: Persisting Through Recovery considers both Bill’s capacity to structure his own rehabilitation routine and the ways in which his close network of friends supported him throughout his recovery process.
Part Three:Communicating as an Advocate explores how Bill transformed his survivor narrative into a tool for advocacy. It explains the strategies Bill used to successfully work with other stroke survivors and also describes the compassion fatigue that can accompany this kind of communicative labor.
Q & A with Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. & Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: Why/How did you (and Sarah) decide to write a book about Bill Torres?
PGM: After being a guest speaker in my Health Communication class at SDSU over the past 10 years, Bill suggested that I should write a book. I resisted at first with so much on my plate, but then I thought of inviting Dr. Sarah Parsloe to co-author the book. We knew the book would touch on the disabilities that come with stroke and the advocacy work that Bill engages in, and Sarah has a great deal of expertise on both of these topics.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha moments) while interviewing Bill for the book? If so…please explain
PGM: We made so many discoveries—too many to list here—and of course that is really what the book is all about. First, resilience isn’t something we create from scratch at the moment we need it, it is something we develop over time beginning as a young person. So cultivating resilience as a young boy served Bill well at 69 when he had his stroke. Second, resilience isn’t something we cultivate alone. People who have a network of friends and family that they can count on when they need it most can join forces with them to create resilience. It isn’t about the number of people, it is about the quality of these relationships–having people in your life that you love and they love you and will be there for you when you need them. That’s just two of the many lessons.
He used the phrase in
the beginning of his book, stating that stroke survivors must “fall in love
with the process . . . [and] see the process of recovery as an opportunity for
growth” (p. xiv).
SJF: What made you decide on increasing the distribution of the book from academia to the masses?
PGM: Sarah and I are big believers in the power of stories. While we teach this in our college classes, we knew the general public would enjoy the stories told by Bill, his providers, and his friends. We also knew that the lessons about communication and resilience would be valuable for anyone, not just stroke survivors. Anyone who is moving through the grief of losing someone they love or recovering from an accident or any illness would find lessons in Bill’s stories that are universal.
SJF: Tell us about your passion and teaching emphasis with ‘storytelling’, especially as it pertains to health communication?
PGM: Storytelling is about connecting with other people. In telling our own stories, we put into words our joys, fears, and even our secrets. In the process of telling our story and being listened to, we can actually change the chemistry in our bodies—telling stories of pain and trauma or joy and passion can have an effect on the brain where dopamine, cortisol, oxytocin, and endorphins are released. In that release and in the chemical changes, we often feel pleasure—something that happens in hearing the story, not just the facts. I teach health communication from the point of view of stories—stories told to friends, family, providers, and even in health campaigns offer an opportunity to put into words, something that we are experiencing. As we tell stories to others, we begin to make sense of our own experience and when we listen to others tell their stories we offer them the same opportunity.
SJF: If you had to write the book over again, would you change anything?
PGM: I think the only thing I would add to the book if I were still in the process of writing it would be for Sarah and I to tell more of our own stories, especially as we feel that have evolved in the process of collaborating with Bill, his providers, and his friends. Our stories are partially there, but I think the experience of collaborating with Bill was life-changing in so many ways, but specifically reflecting on my own path and the resilience I feel I have created in difficult and dark times.
SJF: A brief history of your upbringing, education, professor positions/teaching appointments and early retirement at SDSU.
PGM: I am a first-generation college student. My dad graduated from high school and ended up as a pattern maker at John Deere Tractor Works. My mom did not graduate from high school and was a stay-at-home mom to four children. Both my parents really emphasized education and especially reading. I cannot think of one time in my life where I have not had one or more books on my night stand. My family moved around a lot-five states and seven houses by the time I was in second grade. I think my own resilience was built through that experience. I started out as a dance major at the University of Iowa in Iowa City but then switched to Literature and Writing when I discovered I wasn’t as skilled at learning and remembering choreography the way others were. My minor was Communication and I was hooked. I taught high school for two years—literature, writing, drama, and filmmaking. But then my thirst for knowledge about communication led me to gain a master’s degree in Communication at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls Iowa and a Ph.D. in Communication from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. My first position as an Assistant Professor was at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT, then the Department of Speech at the University of Hawaii, Manoa in Honolulu, HI. Finally, in 1990 I was hired by the School of Communication at San Diego State University. I feel blessed to have lived and worked in all three universities and to have attended strong programs for my education. I am now in my second year of a five-year early retirement program where I teach three classes only in the fall and have the spring and summer off to do whatever I want. And my joy is writing, so I will keep doing that as long as I can!
SJF: Tell us about all of the books you’ve written:
I have also published
over 100 journal articles and book chapters.
SJF: Anything you’d like to mention about your upcoming book The Infinite Now?
PGM: I have been working on a memoir for over 15 years. The tentative title is The Infinite Now: A Mother’s Past, A Daughter’s Future. My mom died of brain cancer when I was 17, right before Christmas in my senior year in high school. The only way I could cope with this huge loss in my life was to press down any memories of my mom. This turned out to be the worst strategy, because the pain was still there under the surface. It wasn’t until our only child, Makenna moved into her teen years that suddenly the past came rushing forward with each and every interaction—so it’s my mom’s past and my future woven with my past and my daughter’s future that form a braid of our two overlapping stories. It is a labor of love that is both traumatic and joyful. I hope to publish the book by summer 2021.
SJF: Any recommendations for us to journal or document what we are going through with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic?
PGM: Yes, this crisis calls on all of us to become resilient. Resilience requires us to be flexible and adapt to each new phase of the pandemic. Resilience also offers an opportunity to be creative and come up with new solutions to this experience of isolation. Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Zoom, and other social media offer opportunities to reach out to support one another and decrease our sense of isolation. One new solution that my husband and I have been engaging in is virtual happy hours. It is fascinating to realize that we our doing this more than we did when we had the opportunity (but supposedly not the time) to be connected with friends and family. We just don’t stay on the phone as long as we do when we are telling stories, playing games, and goofing around “face-to-face” on zoom. It’s fascinating to see some of the increased sharing and intimacy that is evolving on zoom with friends and family.
SJF: Is there anything else that you’d like to mention?
PGM: I love writing and teach it in most of my communication classes. I love helping people tap into the stories they feel they must tell—about life, love, travel, pain, trauma, joy—anything. So, in addition to the memoir, I have a few other books I plan to write, one about creative female leaders and another on the process of mentoring. I also plan to develop writing workshops in San Diego and in other cities, countries. My husband will be retiring about the same time that I am and we hope to build a business together that takes advantage of the expertise that each of us could contribute.
SJF: Thank you so much, Patricia – it was such a pleasure to learn more about you and you work!
Debra Wanger – The Resilient Actor – Photo Credit – Ken Jacques
(SAN DIEGO, September 23, 2019) – Actor, Author, Coach and Public Speaker, Debra Wanger is an often-sought-after professional actor, well known in the San Diego region. She published her debut book The Resilient Actor: How to Kick Ass In the Business Without It Kicking Your Ass in 2017 and is thrilled to announce the upcoming The Resilient Actor Audiobook and The Resilient Actor Workbook & Planner: How to Kick Ass in the Business Without It Kicking Your Ass.
“I’ve worked with Hollywood stars and actors currently working on Broadway. I have been able to utilize the secrets of their behind-the-scenes success along with my skills as a wellness coach and my own personal experience. I’ve worked mostly in live regional theatre, but also some television, film, and radio. When I left my BFA program and started working professionally, I had to learn the hard way all the life and balance skills they didn’t teach at the conservatory. There was a lot of focus on being a triple threat, on performance skills, but nothing about how to survive the challenging life of being an actor. I fought depression, loneliness, weight gain, difficulty navigating periods of unemployment, all of it. Like most actors, I had to learn how to get the rest & recovery I needed, how to master my mindset to work with me – not against me, and how to take care of myself like a performing athlete. I had to learn all these life skills beyond my BFA.” – Debra Wanger
Acting can be a crazy
profession, full of uncertainty, insecurity, and unpredictability. While there
are many books about technique, little has been written about how to pursue the
dream without compromising your health and sanity. Pulling from her decades of
experience as an actor, talent manager, and lifestyle coach, Debra Wanger
filled this void in 2016 with a must-read survival guide for the acting
professional.
Debra offers a positive, practical, playful, holistic approach to the art and business of acting that marries mind, body, spirit, and craft. In this essential handbook, which serves as a personal coach in a book, she covers all the bases–from exercise and nutrition to time management and setting goals to staying motivated from audition through performance. Her valuable, tried-and-true insights, gained from client successes, will enable the performing artist to balance and bolster a challenging creative career with a healthy, productive personal life.
At last there’s a clear
path through the madness. The Resilient Actor will lead you to the top
of your game, increase your professional staying power, and help you achieve
equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
ABOUT THE RESILIENT ACTOR’S WORKBOOK AND PLANNER:
Discover some of the secrets from Broadway & Hollywood to supercharge your career and balance your life. Debra Wanger knows how difficult it can be to pursue your dream of acting without compromising your health or your sanity. She drew wisdom from decades of working as an actor, talent manager, and wellness coach to write The Resilient Actor and give emerging and experienced actors a holistic approach to their profession that marries mind, body, spirit, and craft. Sustaining a healthy and satisfying career requires more than just talent- go beyond the skills you learned in your BFA program.
The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner is filled with quick & easy exercises designed to help you plot the direction for your career from the start and avoid the pitfalls that many actors face. You’ll walk through the steps to figure out what kind of actor you want to be and the lifestyle you want to have. You’ll set goals and develop habits for your career and use the specially-designed included actors’ planner to create a step-by-step action and accountability plan for achieving them. The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner will unlock longevity in your career by showing you how to find happiness and health in an industry that challenges both.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit – Ken Jacques
BIO – DEBRA WANGER
Debra studied acting at
the nationally acclaimed Piven Theatre Workshop with such talents as John
Cusack, Joan Cusack, and Jeremy Piven. Her vocal training began at the
Northwestern University vocal department while still attending high school. She
declined an opera scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory in order to study musical
theatre at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM.) She
graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University and received a Master of Fine
Arts in musical theatre from San Diego State University, where she graduated
Phi Kappa Phi as a Marion Ross Scholar.
Debra is currently in rehearsals as “Liz”- the younger version of Queen Elizabeth in Handbagged at Moxie Theatre which runs October 19th through November 17th. She has performed in regional theatres and cabaret clubs across the country, most frequently in Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, and South Florida. In Professionally Speaking at the Off-Broadway, The Miami Herald hailed her “a comic spark plug.” Her role in Triumph of Love won a KPBS-TV Patté award. Her one-woman show My Nights With George, Kurt & Cole, (co-written and directed by comic genius, Phil Johnson) was featured at various venues throughout Southern California and won Best New Play and Best Actress at the 2003 San Diego Actors Festival, and the San Diego Playbill Billie Award for Best Actress in a musical.
She was just featured as
The Angel in Cygnet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Angels in America, as well as A
Little Night Music, On the 20th Century, Spring Awakening, My Fair Lady, Evita,
Sweeney Todd and Dogfight on
the Cygnet stage. At San Diego Musical Theatre has been featured in Hairspray,Billy Elliot, Footloose, Sound of Music, La Cage Aux Folles, and White
Christmas. Other San
Diego theatre highlights include: God of
Vengeance at La Jolla Playhouse, Hamlet (Gertrude)
at Intrepid; Titanic & Sunset Blvd. at Moonlight; Permanent Collection at Mo’olelo; Full Monty (Vicki) at New Village Arts; Sleeping Beauty at North Coast Rep; Anything Goes! (Reno), Oliver! (Nancy) at Lyric Opera San Diego; Carousel and Sound
of Music at Lawrence Welk.
Her CD, Driving My Own Heart is
also available on Amazon and iTunes.
BOOK REVIEWS:
“This book is fantastic.
I’m a professional actor and also teach acting, and will recommend it to all my
students. It’s a topic not discussed enough! Resilience is one of the most
important qualities for any working actor–if not THE most important quality.
Highly recommended!”
-Amy Griffin
“The Resilient Actor by Debra Wanger is a valuable and refreshing resource for anyone in the acting profession who wants to elevate their career while attaining balance in their life. Wanger delivers a motivating, witty, and practical workbook that is bound to bring about positive and healthy change on the road to success.”
-C.K.
“I found The Resilient Actor to be very helpful to me as a musician even though the book was written for actors. It was a great reminder of how to be proactive instead of waiting for the phone to ring and how to keep active always working on your craft. It was a good reminder that even successful creative people never let up on getting their name and face out there and true artists know that their profession is always a work in progress. The book really gave me good solid tips on how to stay healthy mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually; especially when you are in between work projects. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the business or that is thinking about getting in the business to get a reality check for the persistence needed as well as the care and feeding of the artist in you. Loved it and will continue to use it as a reference!”
We are thrilled to introduce our new SJF Communications client – San Diego Actor, Author and Coach – Debra Wanger. Debra’s book The Resilient Actor: How to Kick Ass in the Business (Without it Kicking Your Ass) brings the behind the scenes secrets of Hollywood & Broadway to supercharge one’s career and balance one’s life. An upcoming Audiobook as well as Workbook/Planner will be available soon.
SJF: In a nutshell…tell us about your life as an actor/performer – highs, lows, ‘aha’ moments- stressors…etc.
DW: I’ve worked mostly in live regional theatre, but also some television, film, and radio. When I left my BFA program and started working professionally, I had to learn the hard way all the life and balance skills they didn’t teach at the conservatory. There was a lot of focus on being a triple threat, on performance skills, but nothing about how to survive the challenging life of being an actor. I fought depression, loneliness, weight gain, difficulty navigating periods of unemployment, all of it. Like most actors, I had to learn how to get the rest & recovery I needed, how to master my mindset to work with me – not against me, and how to take care of myself like a performing athlete. I had to learn all these life skills beyond my BFA.
SJF: What experiences and/or people (parents, role models, etc.) in your life influenced you the most and why?
DW: My
brother used to attend an acting school in Chicago with some young actors – John
Cusack, Joan Cusack and Jeremy Piven among them. They were all clearly phenomenally
talented back then. I tagged along and was impressed. I caught the bug then
& there. My brother gave it up, but I didn’t.
I also had a boss at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) who was somehow able to be an agent, a wife, a mother and a happy human all at the same time. She was able to cut through all the B.S. and find a balance that worked for her. She was an inspiration for me.
DW: Many of my private coaching clients are actors who stumble upon the same road blocks, and that is how The Resilient Actor was born. The Resilient Actor combines my experience as an actor, coach, and Hollywood talent manager. It is part cautionary tale, letting readers know my story and all the ways I did it wrong. It is the actors’ handbook I wish someone had handed me when I left my BFA program. It is the course that was missing from my acting school curriculum.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit: Ken Jacques
SJF: Describe your work as a health and wellness coach
DW: As a coach, I help my clients discover what their goals are: whether it be to lose 20 pounds, gain energy, make more money, improve relationships, whatever it is they want or need. Then I help them come up with an action plan to achieve those goals, identify and remove any obstacles they have to this action plan and help them with accountability. Every client is different, so I customize it to their needs. Many of my clients are actors who stumble upon the same roadblocks, and that is how The Resilient Actor was born. The Resilient Actor combines my experience as an actor, coach, and Hollywood talent manager.
SJF: Your
time working at CAA and with the Talent Manager? Stresses? Patterns seen? High
points?
DW: Creative Artists Agency in the 90’s was so exciting and crazy. I was there when super-agent Michael Ovitz still ran the place and all of Hollywood. It was like working in an emergency room, everything was high stakes and urgent and high stress, and then Tom Hanks would walk by. It was incredibly stressful, but such a fertile learning ground for how the business of the business worked. It probably took a few years off my life, but the experience was invaluable for learning how film and television work. Managing was some babysitting, some creativity and lot of phone calls, horrible scripts and hours in my car traversing LA for lunch meetings. Taking clients to Sundance or the Golden Globes was as cool as it sounds, but the grind really got to me. Ultimately, I enjoy being on the creative end more than the business side of things.
SJF: Tell us about your past year or so of musicals/shows- Describe your roles and accolades! Angels in America, etc.
DW: This year has been a breakout year for me in San Diego theatre. I was the female authority figure in Hairspray at San Diego Musical Theatre, a collection of John Waters dark-humor characters in a cracker jack cast of a huge musical comedy. I played The Angel (& several other roles) in the acclaimed production of Angels in America at Cygnet Theatre (all 7 hours of it.) It was the most challenging, most exhilarating show I have ever done. Every single element of that show came together, every single person from the director, cast, designers all brought their A game. Next, I play the Queen of England in the West Coast Premiere of the British comedy hit Handbagged at Moxie Theatre. It’s funny – I followed my own advice and had one of the best years of my career.
SJF: Tell us
about the cast of Handbagged and when is the theatrical run at
Moxie?
DW: The Handbagged cast is a ‘who’s who’ of San Diego theatre: Sandy Campbell, Linda Libby, Lisel Gorell-Getz and myself, with Durwood Murray and Max Macke directed by Kim Strassburger. Many of us are often up for the same roles and don’t get to all work together. It will be a diva-fest in the best way possible. So much talent. We play Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth running October 19-November 17. I can’t wait.
SJF: What
do you dream about?
DW: I dream
about making a difference. I dream about balance. I dream about sunny weather,
hugs from my children and using my all the wisdom I have acquired to help
others. And chocolate.
SJF: What
are your top 3 values in life?
DW: Authenticity,
love and playfulness.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit: Ken Jacques
SJF: What
are you most proud of?
DW: I am really proud of The Resilient Actor, and upcoming The Resilient Actor Audio Book and The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner, my creative babies, but I’d have to say I am really proud of my 3 kids, my human babies. They are phenomenal, loving, decent human beings.
SJF: Describe
your feelings about balancing motherhood and work
DW: Balancing
motherhood & work is a challenge. Acting tends to be feast or
famine. I don’t take every show I am offered. I have to weigh it against
tucking my kids in for those 3 months. I am pickier about what projects I
do. That is one of the reasons I love writing, coaching, and public
speaking – it allows me to work with actors and be creative without negatively affecting
my kids. They know I love being onstage and want me happy, I just attempt
to balance it as best I can.
SJF: Female
issues with males (harassment) in entertainment?
DW: Ugh.
This is a real thing. It is time that people shed light on bad behavior
in the arts and in business. There have been some individuals abusing and
taking advantage for years, many of whom were common knowledge and no one did
anything. I applaud the brave souls who are willing to speak up for themselves.
Of course, I hope that individuals who are breaking the law are brought to
justice and that attitudes change. The whole system needs to change and
awareness is the first step.
SJF: Any fears? Doubts? ever?
DW: Of
Course! I’m human. Like all actors – I doubt myself. I have
several exercises in the book to help with negativity and doubt so they don’t
get the best of you. I get insecure and doubtful like anyone, but I have
learned how to tame that beast most of the time.
This time I enjoyed the day with my Goddaughter Caroline, and her one of her best friends, Tori!
Susan and Caroline. Photo by Tori Trexel
Tori and Caroline; Photo by SJF Communications
We spent several hours enjoying the weather, scenery, botanical treasures and of course phenomenal animal exhibits! Plus: an added bonus of walking (and strolling) at least our 10,000 steps (& beyond)!
Then we ventured out to Balboa Park for a lovely lunch at the Prado, complete with a pitcher of sangria before our delicious steak and chicken tacos (and fries) were delivered!
Tori, Susan and Caroline at the Prado Restaurant in balboa Park. Photo by a very kind member of the Prado Wait Staff!
Caroline and Tori at Food Truck Friday at Balboa Park; Photo by SJF Communications
Caroline and Susan at Food Truck Friday at Balboa Park; Photo by Tori Trexel
Here are some more photos from our splendid day!
Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
First of all, my Mentee this past year in the San Diego State University’s Aztec Mentor Program, Senior Delaney Heil, (class of 2019) is thrilled to be interning this summer at the San Diego Zoo! She was our bus tour guide! Weren’t we the lucky ones! Besides driving that huge bus (oh my…I could NEVER), she was brilliantly humorous as she narrated along the way!
Delaney Heil; Photo by SJF Communications
Susan and Delaney; Photo by Caroline Brigham
And here are some photos of our very cool animal friends!
Flamingo
Flamingo; Photo by SJF Communications
Jaguar – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Jaguar; Photo by SJF Communications
Jaguar; Photo by SJF Communications
Polar Bear
Polar Bear; Photo by SJF Communications
Koalas – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Koala Bear; Photo by SJF Communications
Koala Bear; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutans – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Gorillas – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Gorilla; Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Gorillas; Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Gorilla; Orangutan; Photo by SJF Communications
Giraffes – Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail!
Photo: Courtesy of Westwind Brass Left to right: Dr. Eric Starr, Bryan Smith, Elizabeth Howard, Barry Toombs, John Wilds, Karl Soukup
Westwind Brass Announces Summer Brass Workshop
At SDSU School of Music & Dance
June 25-29, 2018
Free Concert June 30th at 1:00 pm
The Westwind Brass, San Diego’s premier professional brass ensemble, and an Ensemble-in-Residence at the San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Music and Dance, announces their exciting interactive 2018 Summer Brass Workshop at SDSU, June 25- 29, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.. This fun-filled week culminates in a free afternoon concert with the participant ensembles, on Saturday, June 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the School of Music and Dance.
The musicians of The Westwind Brass Ensemble are Elizabeth Howard, John Wilds and Karl Soukup (trumpets), Barry Toombs (horn), Eric Starr (trombone) and Bryan Smith (tuba).
“Each year, this week provides a cross-generational environment where we all have a chance to explore and develop skills in communication, collaboration, and creativity; and to engender a larger sense of community.”- Westwind Brass Executive Director: Barry Toombs (French Horn)
“The participants, young and old, receive an opportunity to work with some of the finest brass musicians in southern California. It is fun, informative, and relative to the music in their daily lives. What’s more, they have a chance to play in what will be, I believe, the greatest brass ensemble of their lives!”– Westwind Brass Director Educational and Outreach Programs: Bryan Smith
Photo Courtesy of Westwind Brass
Activities will include: Master Classes, Sectional Coaching, Ensemble Playing, Individual and Group Performances. Private lessons will be made available during the mornings for an additional fee.
In addition to the more traditional brass instrument training and ensemble experiences, this workshop will feature mini-seminars on such topics as sustainable practice routines; learning and performing solos; making use of technology in your music; and an interactive introduction to jazz and improvisation.
The Westwind Brass exists to broaden and enrich the musical legacy of local, national and international audiences through performance and educational services featuring brass instruments and music. Westwind Brass musicians perform in various configurations of featuring the unique timbre of brass instruments and performing the brass repertoire at a high artistic level. Westwind Brass is a 501(c) (3) Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit Guidestar.org.
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In honor of National Poetry Writing Month (#napowrimo) I have mastered the first few days in previous blog posts and am attempting to keep it going (with and without prompts)!
As I have stated previously, I’ve been a Mentor at San Diego State University in their Aztec Mentor Program since 2016. Mentoring has been an inspirational and enjoyable way to connect with and guide students as a role model, share wisdom and give back to one’s community.
Today, I arrived early and was waiting for my first of two mentees to join me for our biweekly in-person session.
Alas: a Haiku blossomed!
Once I returned home for the day, I walked around our general neighborhood and snapped some photos (which to me depict #artinnature #natureasart). The photos are attached below!
As the season of Spring has sprung and as nature evolves – my burgeoning Mentees have been flourishing as well! May they thrive and prosper! Thus…my tribute to them!
“Susan Farese, SJF Communications helped Westwind Brass double the size of our audiences at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. She also helped us to double the number of participants at our 2017 Summer Brass Workshop at San Diego State’s School of Music and Dance. She is savvy with all forms of media; print, TV, and radio. She is also very proactive on social media. She is willing to think, and work, outside of the box, and isn’t afraid to say what she is thinking. I highly recommend SJF Communications to all arts organizations in the San Diego area.”
-Bryan Smith, Tuba; Director of Educational and Outreach Programs
Westwind Brass Ensemble. Left to right top: Elizabeth Howard, Karl Soukup, Barry Toombs, Dr. Eric Starr; Bottom, left to right: John Wilds, Bryan Smith
The Westwind Brass, San Diego’s premier professional brass ensemble, and Ensemble-in-Residence at the San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Music and Dance, announces their exciting interactive ‘Summer Brass Workshop’ at SDSU, July 10-14, 2017, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. followed by a free afternoon concert with participant ensembles, Saturday, July 15 at 1 p.m.
The Westwind Brass Ensemble, includes Elizabeth Howard, John Wilds and Karl Soukup (trumpets), Barry Toombs (horn), Eric Starr (trombone) and Bryan Smith (tuba).
The Westwind Brass Ensemble Left to right: Dr. Eric Starr, Bryan Smith, Elizabeth Howard, Barry Toombs, John Wilds, & Karl Soukup
“After more than 30 years, Westwind Brass Ensemble remains committed to serving the diverse communities that make up this great city of San Diego. We pledge to serve not only the San Diego that we know, but also the San Diego of the future.”
– Westwind Brass Executive Director: Barry Toombs (French Horn)
“This workshop is open to brass instrument players of all ages and ability levels. Participants will have the opportunity to play a lot, and explore a wide range of ensemble types and musical styles, such as brass quintets, trios, and solos, in both the classical and jazz styles. Each day will close with a large brass ensemble. An emphasis will be places on fun and harmony!”
– Westwind Brass Director of Educational and Outreach Programs: Bryan Smith
Activities will include: Master Classes, Sectional Coaching, Ensemble Playing, Individual and Group Performances. Private lessons will be made available during the mornings for an additional fee.
In addition to the more traditional brass instrument training and ensemble experiences, this workshop will feature these mini-seminars:
“How to Start Improvising”
“Who Has the Time? The Road to an Efficient, Sustainable Practice Routine”
“How to Learn and Perform a Solo”
“Using Technology to Make Your Music, and Get It Heard”
Plus: “A Tour of the SDSU School of Music and Dance Facilities”.
Price Information for Summer Workshop: Students/Military: $150.00; Adults: $175.00.
The Westwind Brass exists to broaden and enrich the musical legacy of local, national and international audiences through performance and educational services featuring brass instruments and music. Westwind Brass musicians perform in various configurations of featuring the unique timbre of brass instruments and performing the brass repertoire at a high artistic level. Westwind Brass is a 501(c) (3) Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit Guidestar.org.
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I am pleased to be a Mentor for my 2nd year in San Diego State University‘s ‘Aztec Mentor Program‘ (AMP). This year I have two Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) Communications students for both semesters. Last year I mentored one Senior (Communications) and one Junior (Public Health) student during the Fall, 2016 semester and three graduating senior mentees (Communications, Health Communications and Finance/Entrepreneurship) for the Spring, 2017 semester. The Communications student was my mentee for the entire year.
Time has certainly flown since I was introduced to my own first ‘mentor’. I distinctly remember the time (after working about a year or so) as a newly graduated Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps in 1978 in San Diego. Needless to say…I was stressed out with what we now call ‘burnout’ (which was not even a term used then) in my very first job after graduating college! As a staff/charge nurse on the open bay male general medicine floor, I endured grueling rotating shifts and dealt with serious illnesses and on several occasions deaths of active duty, dependent and/or retired males at my young age. I suppose I had a certain look of ‘being overwhelmed’ one day. Upon rounds to the unit, my supervisor said to me “By the end of the day, I want to know how much leave (vacation) you’re taking and where you want to work when you return”. I stared at her in disbelief for a few seconds, thought about it, planned that leave and afterwards transferred to Cardiothoracic Surgery Step Down unit. That job switch and my Supervisor’s insight, caring and seriously ‘looking out for me’ changed my professional life. I was then able to navigate my career by being in control. Plus, I gained respect for having a Mentor and have learned immensely from many of them over the years!
Flash forward to 38 years later! That Mentor ultimately inspired me to take control of my professional career as a nurse, actor, author, writer, consultant & entrepreneur. I have also had several Mentors in my life since then!
My diversified career has been quite interesting and evolving over the past ‘almost’ 40 years. Besides clinical, management/administrative, education/staff development roles in Nursing during time as a Military Nurse (U.S. Navy – 3 years and Army Nurse Corps-9 years, attaining the rank of Major), I also worked in medical research. My masters degree is in adult primary health which prepared me as a Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist. As an entrepreneur I have provided public speaking, continuing education, legal nurse consulting, public relations, marketing, acting and coaching.
During Fall, 2016, as a parent of an SDSU Freshman, I received an email from the Office of New Student and Parent Programs, Career Services and the Office of Alumni Engagement Career Services, inquiring if I would be interested in being a Mentor in the AMP. I quickly made the decision to embark on this journey (completed my AMP profile which asked for education, career positions and so on) and have enjoyed my time in this mutually fulfilling program. Since then I was interviewed by Diane Marin (SDSU Alumni and Career Development and Administrator of AMP), and Eric Good, (Public Affairs Communication Specialist, SDSU) with article links above. I have been fortunate to be connected to our daughter’s campus in such a unique way, plus was able to give back – and hopefully enrich and guide the students towards success in their futures, as students and as they enter into the working world.
How does it all work?
First of all, each student that selects me as their Mentor presents different personalities, majors, goals and challenges. I am a proponent of meeting in person on campus for our sessions, usually an hour long, several times a month. We review resumes and Linked In profiles. We discuss the importance of networking in their prospective fields. I prep them on the common sense and procedure of attending career fairs. We research possible graduate degree programs. We explore employment options with job searches and discuss negotiating salaries, raises etc. much more during the semester(s). I also provide emotional support and guidance for them throughout the semester and especially during their final “stressful” Spring semester nearing graduation (and they prevail)!
It is thoroughly enriching for me as well. My experience in Nursing, PR/Marketing/ Communications and the Arts enabled me to feel confident as a role model for them and their enthusiasm, diligence and commitment persisted!
I wish them all well!
Here are some more articles about the Aztec Mentorship Program:
A photo with my two Mentees from this past Fall, 2017 Semester
Left to right: From Fall Semester, 2017: Alexa (Mentee), Susan (Mentor), and Delaney (Mentee)
Some photos and testimonials from last year’s Mentees:
Left to Right: Susan with Mentee (now a graduate) from Spring, 2017: Kaitlin; Major: Health Communication. Photo credit: Erik Good
“Getting involved my last semester at SDSU was great because my mentor, Susan, prepared me to stay on top of job searches, reviewed my resume, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and attend events that Career Services had put together,” – Kaitlin Woods
Testimonial for SJF Communications via San Diego State University (SDSU) Health Communications Student, Kaitlin Woods
Left to right: Susan with with Mentee (now 2017 SDSU graduate and now pursuing graduate degree) Alexandra; Major: Communications. Photo credit: Erik Good
“Susan was my mentor throughout my Fall 2016 semester at San Diego State University. Having Susan mentor me was by far one of the best decisions I’ve made. She has propelled me to reach new levels of my potential and widen my understanding about the communications field. Susan is a wonderful asset to any student, individual or agency and I could not recommend her wisdom enough. I am blessed with the opportunity to know her and have her as my mentor”.- Alexandra Talaro
Testimonial for SJF Communications via San Diego State University (SDSU) Communications Student Alexandra Talaro
Left to right: with Spring, 2017 Mentee (now 2017 SDSU graduate) James; Major: Finance with Minor: Entrepreneurship with Susan. Courtesy Photo.
“The Aztec Mentorship Program has been an enlightening process for me. Not only has it allowed me to reach out to various alumni in different industries I am interested in, but has created opportunity to foster an invaluable mentorship.
Overall, my best experience was with Susan Farese, a local entrepreneur with many experiences, particularly in the entertainment industry. I learned a few lessons after being matched as a mentee with Susan but lessons are still being learned as we still stay in touch. Resume development, entrepreneurship tips, and networking opportunities have been the focus of the mentorship. Susan helped me develop a technique of developing the perfect resume based upon which jobs I am searching for rather than sending out a general resume out to all jobs. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I learned from Susan’s experiences and mistakes in running her own PR firm. She spoke to me about my different entrepreneurial opportunities and gave insight to possible issues I may run into. Even after the program ended, Susan recently helped me get my first gig doing lighting and sound production for a local play!
Honestly the best part about my experience was the specific attention given to me about how I can best further myself. After a few sessions, Susan understood what I really needed to learn to get the best out of the program and that only happens when mentors are dedicated to extending real life knowledge and experience to mentees.” – James Ranon
Testimonial for SJF Communications via San Diego State University (SDSU) Finance/Entrepreneurship Student
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I recently spent some time strolling on the beautiful campus at San Diego State University (SDSU). Our daughter is enrolled for Fall, 2016 and we love taking the time to explore every chance we get!
Here are some photos I captured that gloriously beautiful day! I wish I could have photographed the entire campus! Perhaps I will visit again soon to capture much more! Feel free to click on each photo.
Subscribe and leave comments and let us know if you have any links, photos or blog posts about SDSU as well! Enjoy!
Hepner Hall with the Hardy Memorial Tower in the Background
Capturing another view of the Conrad Prebys Student Union
SDSU’s Love Library
SDSU’s Love Library
SDSU’s Love Library
SDSU’s Love Library
Between Performing Arts area and Hepner Hall
And here is some of the gorgeous foliage seen that day. Click on each photo to enlarge it. Such vivid color and so many beautiful varieties of trees and flowers!
And a few more images of the “bench art” and more!
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