Most
of my presentation was of me expressing what I felt in the there
and then, which makes it hard to type it up. However, I will do my best from
memory and apologize for and words written that were not said or ones said that
were not written.
[Stand before class and ripped paper out of
notebook]
Who
was I? [Hold blank side of paper for
class to see]
This
was me. I was like this blank sheet of paper. [Crumble up notebook paper and hold it out for class to see]
This
is who I was. No one knew me. No one saw what was inside. They tossed me aside
thinking I was trash. [Toss paper angrily
aside]
No
one cared to see what was inside. [Pick up
piece of paper. Laugh a little and sigh]
They
don’t know what I’ll become. [Open piece
of paper, smooth it out and turn it over to reveal the drawing]
This is me. [Show to the class]
This
is me. I’m not going to hide behind a PowerPoint or some video. I’m not going
to even show you the pieces I have composed… because they’re not me. They may
contain a part of me, but I am so much more than a simple song. I am so much
more than that one ensemble, that one cello part, that one melody line. [Briefly pause]
This
is me. [Emphasize the picture as well as
yourself].
I’m
rough around the edges. No, part of my life is easy going, but really whose is?
I’m straight forward, or at least, I like to be. I’m shy as hell. Standing before you- I’m
shaking. Ask me anything about myself and I’ll tell you. I hold no secrets
about myself. I make mistakes. I have fallen flat on my face. [Drop piece of paper]
The
important thing is that I can pick myself up again. [Pick up piece of paper and pause again briefly]
But
this, this is just a piece of notebook paper with my attempts at drawing on it. A picture representing me. However, one day I hope my picture transcends
the boundaries of something as insignificant as a piece of notebook. [Pause for the last time while looking at the
class]
This is me. I am what you see no more no less.
[Smile and walk away]
