Happy Mother's Day, Miss Kitty!

As we prepare to honor mothers and all who mother, let us not forget the woman who embodies this quote by C.S. Lewis each and every day, Miss Kitty Garrison.

Always professional and impeccably dressed, she graciously manages all the many moving parts necessary for the success of NADA/NADT. In addition to greeting parents and dancers, she takes care of all administrative duties. She also creates schedules, organizes recital shows and orchestrates costume purchases and distribution to various classes. She also reserves theater spaces, backdrops and hires dancers for NADT. Whew! Those are just a few of the many, many hats she wears so dazzlingly well!

But perhaps her most important role is that of a mother figure to all of our wonderful young dancers. You will hear her tell parents and dancers alike she is their second mother! She will be stern when necessary and always encouraging; just like any mother!

Being a mom isn't always easy. "The most challenging thing I believe is to have to explain to a parent why they're dancer is not ready for the accelerated program or not ready to go on to point-and suggest what they can do to make it happen and do it in a way that they are in agreement and not disappointed or upset," Kitty explains. But as any mom will tell you, the rewards outweigh the difficult moments. Kitty adds, "The most rewarding thing for me is seeing a student show improvement in their technique and see how proud they are of that achievement."

Here are a few other things you might no know about our Miss Kitty:

Inspiration:  My grandmother. She was always a strong person but always a lady and always there for me throughout my life

Favorite quote "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." Albert Einstein

Favorite Film: Somewhere in Time 

Favorite Flower: Tulip, Lily and Rose

Here's to you on Mother's Day, Miss Kitty. Thank you for all you do!