The past few months have been rather eventful for me. I went on what is very likely the last tour I will ever go on, my wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary by taking our first vacation in 10 years, and I turned the big "4" "0". But the biggest pieces of news are that I am entering a semi retirement from performing, and also stepping in as....drum roll please...the Education Director for the East End Arts Council!
The chain of events that led to this development are most interesting and full of coincidences. The major backdrop to all of this is that the situation with my hands (I have mentioned previously about having developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both of my hands) have been deteriorating. Additionally. because I had spent so much time on the road during the first half of this year and didn't have time to book any gigs, the second half of my performance calendar was looking more bare than I would had preferred. On top of all of this I was concerned with the delays with the "EOS" (Event One Stop) project that I have hinted about in previous posts. EOS was my primary plan for transitioning beyond my performance career.
These conditions all had me pointing towards a very uncertain future.
About a week before I left for my June tour, I received an email from an acquaintance. Her name is Pat Snyder and she's the Executive Director of the East End Arts Council. She basically said that she wanted to meet with me and was interested in finding a way to have me more involved with the organization. I was more than fine with that and indicated so in my return email.
Then, three days later I received another email from Pat commenting that she wanted me to interview for the position of Education Director, which had just opened up. Naturally, I agreed to do the interview but mentioned that it would have to wait until I return from my tour. Once I did return from the tour, two interviews were scheduled. About two weeks after my second interview, I received a phone call from Pat Snyder in which she informed me that the position was mine. Talk about excited...and nervous! It wasn't until that phone call that I realized that I hadn't had a day job in 15 years.
I officially started in my new position on July 29th, 2013 and what a ride it has been so far! I really enjoy my work and feel like it is the right thing for me to be doing at this stage of my life. My responsibilities include running the organization's school of the arts, designing programs for East End Arts centered around education, and providing career development opportunities for artists of all disciplines.
As for performing, I'm not giving it up entirely, but it will no longer be a major focus for me. I will not be going out of my way to book any appearances. I will entertain any calls I get to perform or make an appearance somewhere, but the conditions must be right and it also must not conflict with anything that I may already have going on at East End Arts.
With regards to my hands and the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome I have developed, I have an appointment to see a specialist in October. From there, I will see what my next move should be. But for now, if you should find yourself in Riverhead, New York, come down to 141 East Main Street for a visit and I will be happy to give you a tour of the grounds and our facilities!
by Shenole Latimer
