ArtistCorps Alumni Stories: Lizzy Cook

Lizzy Cook (School of Music ’18) served in ArtistCorps while completing her Professional Artist Certificate (PAC) here at UNCSA. Her journey has taken her across the globe to Palestine. We caught up with her via email this month to learn a little more about where her passion for service has taken her.  

What made you decide to serve in ArtistCorps? 

I decided to serve in ArtistCorps because I was looking for an opportunity to use my skills as a musician to benefit my community in a tangible way. The more uninteresting reason is that I needed a job to help support me during my final year of my PAC.

Tell us about a moment from your ArtistCorps service that really stands out to you.

I remember one morning as I walked into one of my sites, the music director told me that one of my students grandmother had passed away the day before. I expected her to continue to say that the student was going to be absent, but instead she told me that the student was at school and wanted to stay in the cello studio with me for the day. I was shocked that he was actually in school after such a traumatic experience. The students grandmother was a big part of the school community, everyone knew and loved her. She was also the legal guardian of the student and his four younger siblings.

My student walked down the stairs to the music room, his face was swollen and he looked exhausted. He came into the studio and told me what happened. He said his grandmother was expected to return home from the hospital and he and his younger siblings were waiting on the front porch of their grandparents’ house to welcome her. They soon found out that their grandmother and caretaker at the time, had unexpectedly passed away. "They said her heart just stopped," he cried. "And at that moment my heart stopped, too. She never even got to hear me play."

I tried my best to comfort him. "I think if you play a song for her now, she will hear you, do you want to try?" He wiped his eyes and agreed. He played Rigadoun from Suzuki book 1, and then he played French Folk Song, then Allegro. He continued to play for the entire school day in each of my other cello students’ lessons. That day the school decided to dedicate their talent show to the student’s beloved grandmother. My student played Rigadoun for the entire school in memory of his grandmother and was treated with a standing ovation. He stood up after finishing the piece with a big smile, holding his cello proudly. I was proud to be able to give him something that gave him some comfort during an incredibly difficult time in his life. 

How did that moment shape your perception of service?

I realized that I was not just a cello teacher, or an ArtistCorps member, I was a source of comfort, of trust, support for my students. This made my service more meaningful, deep, and powerful. The more heart I put into my work, the more and more I loved doing it. 

What was your biggest takeaway from serving in ArtistCorps?

I think the biggest takeaway from serving in ArtistCorps was learning how to work with others. Sometimes my colleagues and I went through difficult times, as all of us were either working 2 jobs simultaneously, or juggling classes and rehearsals. We took on big tasks that sometimes felt really overwhelming. I'm a pretty independent person and it can be difficult for me work with others, but during my service in ArtistCorps I was working many different groups of colleagues from different disciplines at many many different sites and I learned a lot about what skills I needed to improve in working in a team to accomplish something. Mainly I learned that I want to be a better listener and that I need to be patient with others and with myself. 

How has ArtistCorps influenced your life and work since you left service?

My service in ArtistCorps gave me my very first opportunity to teach cello. I was simultaneously able to observe and assist many different instructors all over Forsyth County. I currently work for an organization called Al Kamandjati in Palestine where teach cello, piano, and violin. I was able to use the methods and techniques that I'd learned during my ArtistCorps service to teach my new students. I was also serving at eight different sites ranging from pre-k classes to middle school and after school programs. So, I was able to adapt quickly to different environments and try to be as effective as possible in each setting. This requires the ability to read people and situations quickly and act accordingly. My current work and life environment is very different than anything I've ever experienced in my life, and luckily because I'd been working in so many different places in the last year with ArtistCorps, I feel that I was well equipped to walk into completely new territory and basically just get to work. 

What’s next for you?

I plan on continuing my work in Palestine for two more years to support and care for my students here who go through extreme challenges living under military occupation. I'm not sure what my next steps will be after this but I feel that at this point in my life I am living my dream, playing the cello and trying my best to make the world a more just, and loving place for every human being.