Cello Recital Corbin and Quincy

ZShef, Q, Fancy, and Finch. Lance plays cello in the orchestra with them, but came to the recital as piano accompaniment for Zack. 







We love our cantankerous cello teacher SO much! When the kids are arguing he gets cranky with them and tells them he’s going to go home and kick his cat if they don’t try again, rehearse more, use a metronome, etc.
When Quincy told John she made chamber, he just winked and said “well there you go. That’s what you get for trying so hard.” 

Only John shouts, “Go home!” At the end of his recital programs lol



Corbin absolutely slayed Sonata in C. His sound is so lovely, I can’t believe he’s in 8th grade. I used to always be able to tell who was practicing cello until recently. There are many times I thought it was Quincy  running scales only to turn the corner and find Corbin in the music room. He sounded so good at his recital. 

Quincy played Rondo. It felt like a victory lap for her. She had some rough social experiences this year, and she took it all out on her cello, mastering this difficult piece in particular. Performing Rondo at her recital was like frosting on a cake to celebrate her hard work. 


Traci is such a talented accompanist. She came to a lesson and then our home (driving from Goshen) to practice with my kids. She doesn’t just play, they create a story together and it shows in their performance. She’s exceptional. We love her! 

Lol why does Quincy look so small here?! Sometimes I forget how mini she is, and then she stands next to a giant like Sully or Landan and we laugh at the height difference. 

Beautiful work, Corbin and Quincy! 

Thank you John Finch! 

Summer Internship at Branded Equine Therapy

I have 32 credits left to graduate. 

I had to do a 150 hour internship this summer. 

My dear friend Lindsey started a non-profit in Harrison that provides equine therapy for children, foster families, and veterans. She’s amazing and I want to support them in any way I can. 

So the opportunity sort of fell into my lap and here I am, doing a summer internship at Branded! 

I’m doing most of my hours remotely (running social media, searching for grants, etc), but will spend a few working days on site in Harrison. One of which, was an incredible experience. I have a BIG heart for therapists and the miracles they work. I have an even bigger heart for Lindsey and Calvin and their mission. 

Camerata in Dallas

Here’s another orchestra photo dump. The first is from Concert Assessment and the rest are from the Dallas trip. I made a slideshow for the banquet but wanted some highlights posted here for Quincy to look back on and remember. 

Highlights: 

Steve the driver! “Steve. Steve. Steve. Steve” 

Medieval Times

Hotel pool swimming, chicken fights, Luke’s backflip, and Cesars “backflip”. 

Glow sticks and Slurpees

In n out, Bread zeppelin, CFA

Surprise private party at the best Mexican restaurant

Seniors I heart Jesse Collet tees

First place at Director’s Choice in Dallas and coming home with 3 trophies 

Dallas Zoo

Dallas Symphony

Perot Science Museum

Reunion Tower —special shout-out to Chloe for getting terrified Quincy into the elevator. An act of true friendship. 

The friendly giraffes

Denver’s nails

Buc-ees! 

Pirate king yarrrr! 

Jasna gets a microphone

The honey butter croissants at Cheddars scratch kitchen 

Millie, Lily, and Q have their first sleepover. 

2023 Father’s Day

He’s at the soccer game, the piano recital, the prom photos, the quiz bowl, the finish line, and the 1st grade musical. He’s behind the podium helping someone give a talk in church and he’s the tear soaked shoulder supporting a disappointed teenager. He’s the king of the road, the fun idea man, the giver of endless academic encouragement. He’s the provider, the early riser, the rock solid, unshakeable faith exerciser. He teaches us to slow down and appreciate good things. Aaron has perfect hospitality in his fathering and goes to great lengths to make sure everyone has the optimal experience in everything they do. He loves so well! Happy Father’s Day to our best friend!

And happy Father’s Day to my super dad. He’s fun, hardworking, and the most faithful servant to the Lord. He gives endlessly to his children and we continue to wear him out!  I love him so much!!! 

Thanks for being the best dad!

BHS Orchestra Banquet and Quincy makes Chamber Orchestra!

Photos are out of order but my posts are what they are during this busy season of life so I’m accepting my mediocrity and carrying on. 

She did it. Quincy’s tireless work paid off and she made the 23-24 Chamber Orchestra at BHS. She’s in shock and really proud of her efforts. This year, she tackled a piece that was incredibly difficult for her tiny hands, and her once-not-so-great thumb position technique is now really quite good. An orchestra buddy of hers who learned Rondo about 6 months ago approached her after her recital and said “smokes, Quincy! Now I know why you made chamber! That piece is HARD.” 

Mr Collet told her personally that she got in after the orchestra banquet. She was in shock and then cried with excitement. 

Her good friend Isaac graduated early and she’s bummed he won’t be in orchestra with her next year. Isaac got the nickname Chloe in orchestra in 2021 when Jesse took role the first day and randomly called him “Chloe” by mistake. They laughed and the name stuck and now lots of kids call him

Chloe. 




I did the decorations for the orchestra banquet and didn’t take pics! But it looked amazing. Here’s a snap of the banner wall we made with the senior banners. The seniors unhooked and took their banner home with them when they left the banquet. I used the table decorations from the church teacher appreciation event and this photo backdrop was recycled from the foyer at the Arend Arts Center after the choir concerts the week before. Tiffany Johnson, Max Bingham and I carted the balloons over to the north building in one long train and we died laughing when the BeReal signal went off as we were halfway through the big door corridor and the 3 of us paused our chaos to take a silly balloon train selfie. Kelly and Meredith David became great friends when we chaperoned the Camerata trip to Dallas with Jerushia, Stacey Adams, Dan Grover, and Nikki Keller. What a group and what a trip! Somehow, they coaxed Jerushia and I to be co-VPs for SBO next year. We’ll do anything for these amazing kids…but it’s a lot easier and more fun when it’s with these wonderful adults. Excited to work with friends Amy Bingham, Meghan Mammoud, and Marcie Bayless on the board, too. 

Back to cute Quincy…look at these silly kids. I just love them all. I’m so grateful for the friendships she’s developed through the orchestra program and the lessons on perseverance and hard work. Not to mention the beautiful music she creates. What a lovely outlet for her. 

I had to add this jr high throwback of Q and her cello buddy Zack, or “Z Shef” as she calls him. He also made chamber next year. 

Some cello highlights: APYO this year, (friends Lance “LTA (lance the Asian) as he likes to be called or “Fancy” —-the nickname we’ve had for him for years, and  Isaac “Chloe” came to her performance for support. She sat 1st chair in APYO and taking on Dvorak 9 was a beast. 




Quincy is sad she probably won’t have an opportunity to play in the same orchestra as Corbin in high school, but they have been playing at home together (this pic is from their warm up on Christmas Day when they played Gesu Bambino in Sacrament meeting). Quincy invited Corbin to play a song or two with her and Fancy at the Bentonville Temple Open House next week. 


And a middle school throwback. This one is with Spencer Bingham and Quincy at Q’s first cello recital. 


The cello has brought so much joy to Quincy. Congratulations on making chamber! We can’t wait to hear the beautiful music you will make!