BU Tanglewood Institute: From the Director’s Desk | December 2023

Dear BUTI family and friends,

Happy New Year! (Well, almost.) This time of year always reminds me of the many times I’ve said out loud “No Resolutions!” only to harbor some kind of secret resolution that I inevitably forget about a week later. But in the past couple of years I’ve evolved, as do we all, and I’ve changed my previous new-year-new-me approach to something a bit gentler. Now I set aside some time at the start of each year to write a letter to future-me with the following things:

  1. Questions answered from last year. This one is fairly self explanatory  :)
  2. Current state of affairs. Just a quick note about what’s going on right now. What is my favorite pen, what’s exciting in my life, what’s going on in the world, and anything else relevant right at that moment.
  3. Stop, start, continue. This is a list of things I’d love to stop over the next year, start, or (you guessed it!) continue.
  4. Questions for my future self. Questions that I’d like future-me to answer next year. These inquiries typically range from silly things like, “How many cookies do you think you ate over the past 365 days?”, to more serious things like, “In what ways do you feel different from last year?”, all the way through to the bigger picture questions like, “Has Dark Matter been explained yet?”

After written, I put the letter away and I don’t look at it again until the following year. Then, when I re-read it in preparation for a new, new-year letter, I get to see how much I changed or grew or learned since last year’s letter. It’s such an adventure! In fact, I’m inspired to do the same thing for/with you, now. So, here’s my New Year’s Letter: BUTI Friends & Family Edition!

  • Questions answered from last year. Since this is the first year, you have no questions to answer from last year, obviously!
  • Current state of affairs. BUTI Administration is on Intersession right now as we head into audition and enrollment season. We’re working on the summer schedule, on faculty and staff invitations, campus improvement, and student application & enrollment. Application numbers are looking STRONG and we’re gearing up to announce our season! On a personal note, my favorite pen is still the Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.25 pen, BlueBlack Ink.
  • Stop, start, continue. (Wishes from me, for you)

Stop:
—> Worrying about whether you’re doing it “right.” You’ll level-up once you do.
—> Waiting until it’s perfect to show it. Whether it’s a performance or your new hairstyle—just go for it!
—> Procrastinating your BUTI application!!!

Start:
—> Finding small ways to celebrate the wins of the folks closest to you.
—> A meaningful log of your practice. It will help you see tangible progress, no matter the format. Even if it’s once a week as a video log or a daily journal, now’s the time to start it.
—> Recording for your summer 2024 audition this very moment! (Ha!)

      Continue:
      —> Inspiring me with your kindness, perseverance, and support of one another.
      —> Making a difference in your communities, whether through monetary support or acts of service.
      —> Learning and growing—every day. No matter your age or station, capitalize on that neuroplasticity!

      • Questions for our future selves. Did you apply for BUTI 2024? Did you support a local or national organization in some way? What were the most meaningful moments of the past year? Do you feel like you grew? Did we find out what dark mater consists of? How many jelly beans do you think you ate this past year? What has shifted in your paradigm?

      I’m excited for us to spend the year together, to learn more about one another, and to grow alongside you. As always, I want to talk to you, so please do send us a note. You could even send us your own questions for our future selves! Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind everyone that today is the very last day to give to student scholarship in 2023. It’s so, so important and you’ll be making this transformation possible for everyone who comes after you!

      Until soon and with excitement for the arrival of 2024,

      Nicole Wendl
      BUTI Executive Director

      *Published in BUTI’s Prelude! December 2023