Children have been coming to Heartwood since 1982 ...
... to celebrate the artist inside them
Artistic Director Jude Binder recognizes a few of this fall's students
Ilene Evans returns to Heartwood to captivate the audience with a story
By Bob Weaver
The 16th annual December Celebration this past weekend at Heartwood in the Hills continued to recognize the "artist in every person," featuring the performances of Calhoun and regional students.
Returning was storyteller, artist, musician, dancer and performer Ilene Evans, who is a guest faculty member at Heartwood.
Artistic Director Jude Binder recalled the first celebration in 1991, an informal gathering with the audience sitting in a small group, mostly family and friends, close to the performers.
"Tonight is still a showcase of student and faculty work, but a lot has changed in 16 years. Family and friends are now joined by people from across West Virginia who come yearly to enjoy the show," Binder said.
Colorful and energetic performers delight the audience
The performance was a colorful, energetic and heartfelt evening, full of music, song, dance, storytelling and masks.
There was the traditional re-appearance of the Heartwood Turtle.
This year the celebration recognized five students who will be graduating from high school in 2009. Four of them, Rebekah Amorosi, Jessi Cosgrove, Megan Ackley and Niki Liles practically grew up at Heartwood, starting their creative endeavors at age 10. The fifth, Kendra Lipscomb, is celebrating her first year with Heartwood.
The evening was concluded by a spectacular finale - "Dancing for You."
Binder said "We salute all our wonderful students, parents and guardians who faithfully committed their time to this year's fall program."
Returning celebrities are old friends to Heartwood
THE CELEBRATION 2008
| 
