February 2026
Governor's Arts Awards
February/03/2026
Last night, I was awarded the "Arts Legacy Award" at 2026 Kansas Governor's Arts Awards. I was truly honored to receive this mention. A Legacy Award…I guess that means I've been around for awhile. It was great to chat with Governor Laura Kelly after the dinner and ceremony and share our concern and hope in the arts.
A few nights ago, I was on a retreat with fellow musicians from the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. Of course, I am the Director of Sacred Music for the Diocese. We were asked, "When did music become impactful to you…when was the first time music moved you."
This question made me pause. When I think back, I can't remember a moment when music wasn't impacting and moving me.
It's with me when I rise.
It's with me when I go to work.
…walk on stage.
…teach a lesson.
…lead a rehearsal.
…conduct a choir and/or orchestra.
…when I worship my my Lord, the Creator of all beauty.
…when I sleep (many nights waking me from my sleep).
It has caused me to study this great art form in college in Illinois, took me to Kansas, to the east coast, and back to Kansas.
It's what has taken me around and around and around and around the world…gaining countless frequent flyer miles.
Singing, music, and the arts are a huge part of who I am.
I often remind my students that the human voice is the ONLY internal instrument. All other instruments are external in their production. In order to sing, you have to produce it from inside your body and then set it free. No other instrument has words and the colors of the human voice. The internal voice seeking it’s way to the external in order to be eternal.
And, if that’s my legacy to Kansas and to the arts, so be it. I can live with that. Thank you.
A few nights ago, I was on a retreat with fellow musicians from the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. Of course, I am the Director of Sacred Music for the Diocese. We were asked, "When did music become impactful to you…when was the first time music moved you."
This question made me pause. When I think back, I can't remember a moment when music wasn't impacting and moving me.
It's with me when I rise.
It's with me when I go to work.
…walk on stage.
…teach a lesson.
…lead a rehearsal.
…conduct a choir and/or orchestra.
…when I worship my my Lord, the Creator of all beauty.
…when I sleep (many nights waking me from my sleep).
It has caused me to study this great art form in college in Illinois, took me to Kansas, to the east coast, and back to Kansas.
It's what has taken me around and around and around and around the world…gaining countless frequent flyer miles.
Singing, music, and the arts are a huge part of who I am.
I often remind my students that the human voice is the ONLY internal instrument. All other instruments are external in their production. In order to sing, you have to produce it from inside your body and then set it free. No other instrument has words and the colors of the human voice. The internal voice seeking it’s way to the external in order to be eternal.
And, if that’s my legacy to Kansas and to the arts, so be it. I can live with that. Thank you.