For much of her life, Diane Endres Ballweg has been an instructor, teaching special education, music and now aviation. As teachers are retiring across the United States, the question of compensation has come up, but when asked what Diane makes teaching, she said, “I make a difference.”

Diane spoke to the Waunakee  Rotary Club March 24 about music education, one of her passions, and the role it plays in a student’s academic success. Another of her passions – the new Madison Youth Arts center, or MYArts, on E. Mifflin Street – supports music education along with other forms of visual and performing arts.

The new 17,000-square-foot facility was completed in 2021 as a studio and performance space for nonprofit arts groups in the Dane County region. It gives a home to arts organizations such as Children’s Theater of Madison, C-Fam (Children’s Film Academy of Madison), Madison Ballet, Madison Youth Choir, Black Star Drumline and a number of others. A total of 50 different nonprofits use the space.

Diane noted that the building was designed not only for students and studio space, for parents and grandparents to drop off aspiring artists for lessons and rehearsals and also to watch them perform.

It also invites people of all ages, Diane said, and relayed the quote, “Arts are a proven means of bringing people together for human expression.”

Jessica Cartier, MYArts director of community partnerships, and Courtney Byelich, director of facilities, described a workday at the center

Some days, busloads of school children are dropped off, so 500 kids get the chance to see live theater. Some young theater arts students also put together a small production of “James and the Giant Peach” to perform at other schools.

Through another arts project, Whoopensocker, third-graders write a story that playwrights draft into play actors then perform.

On Tuesdays, cellists and violinists practice with Suzuki Strings of Madison. And Little Picasso students paint in another studio, they said, offering just a taste of the activity at MYArts.

The impact of the classes extends beyond the walls, they said. And, following the isolating pandemic, MYArts brings young people together.

 

Guests: Courtney Byelich, Jessica Cartier, Roseann Sheridan and Mike Ross, guests of the club; Jim Slattery, guest of Bob Klostermann.   

Visiting Rotarians: None.

 

 Other news:

-Preparations are underway for the April 9 Drive-Thru Easter Egg Hunt. On April 7, the eggs will be stuffed. If you have donations, contact Connie Gavinski at the Village Center. The hunt begins at 9 a.m., but help is needed setting up at 7 a.m.

 

Birthdays: April 1, Ken Pesik; April 2, Lisa Humenik; April 2, Dan Evans; April 4, Ray Statz; April 7, Connie Blau; April 7, Ross Mauer.

Anniversaries: None.

 

Greeters: March 31, Tegan Counihan and John Cullen; April 7, David Dargenio and Al Dassow; April 14, Lori Derauf and Patrick Durden; April 21, Jim Elvekrog and Taylor Endres; April 28. Dan Evans and Greg Garton.