Patsy Brooks Recognized for Service

Patsy Brooks receives bouquet of appreciation from Salishia Burns

ArtsVision Executive Director Fran Jeffery Anderson receives bouquet from Gloria Jeffery

Patsy Brooks with ArtsVision Production Co-Director Natasha Brau

Arts District Chorale alumna Patsy Brooks was recognized by ArtsVision on July 22, 2023, for ten years of outstanding service through ADC’s Apprentice Program. Begun in 2014, the Apprentice Program provides a range of vocal experiences to students selected from non-profit ArtsVision’s summer program. ArtsVision is jointly sponsored by St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Their annual two-week summer camp program culminates with a musical theater production. This year, the production was The Wiz (Jr.), an adaptation of the classic Wizard of Oz. Forty children and youth in grades three through eight comprised cast and crew who handled every aspect of the show. The sold-out production took place in the rotunda theater at First United Methodist Church of Dallas.

Patsy, a gifted singer, has for ten years coached the students with their vocal parts and techniques, prepping them for the summer musical and a musical life that extends far beyond its curtain call. Each student receives one-on-one instruction, which includes an emphasis on vocal range, quality and overall vocal health. The experience also offers a mock audition process, which helps many students who go on to audition in the real world at Booker T. Washington or other schools.

The Apprentice Program also annually awards one student with a year of private voice lessons donated by Patsy. Eighth-grader Christina Pauolina is the recipient of the 2023-2024 Apprentice Award, and she is excited to hone her vocal skills with Patsy throughout the coming school year. “I look forward to helping Christina develop technique with her lovely natural voice,” says Patsy. “We’ll be using age-appropriate art songs, along with some fun Broadway music. Who knows – she may be an ADC singer one of these days!”

Other ADC singers have participated with ArtsVision throughout the years, with Patsy in the leadership role. ADC looks forward to expanding its relationship with ArtsVision and to its continuation with the Apprentice Program.