(Today’s post was written by Lauren Tedeschi.)
The success of any business relies on the hard work and efforts of its support staff. It is no different here at AMA Dance & Music School. There is a behind-the-scenes “fairy” that works with us every day. You don’t “see” her a whole lot because she is busy painting in the workshop, hidden behind a computer screen, or even tucked in behind the wheel of our AMA car during parades so the rest of us can smile and wave to the crowd. And many, MANY times, she is in her home “working her magic” for AMA.
Our Creative Fairy has a name. It’s Cari Netzel!
Fun Favorites
♦ Favorite Color: Pink
♦ Favorite Food: Mexican
♦ Favorite Movie: Grease
♦ Favorite Disney Character: Mickey Mouse
Miss Cari was born and raised in Chicago and is instrumental in the success we have had at AMA Dance & Music School. Cari started her AMA adventure as a dance mom in 2005 when AMA opened its doors.
While some may know Cari as “Michelle’s mom,” by day she is a nail technician! Cari has been doing nails for 28 years. By night, she comes to AMA and attacks the work that needs to be done.
FUN FACT: Cari attended elementary school with Miss Ann Marie back in the 70’s. They have been friends ever since!
Throwback pic of a concert in which they sang together
…and a high school “Western” themed dance!
Cari has always had a knack for creativity and artwork. So, it makes sense that she is in charge of organizing any AMA project in need of a crafty touch!
Let’s start with the birthday wall at AMA. The birthday wall is decorated with candles that have the student’s name and birthday date. Cari creates the adorable picture cutouts that decorate the lobby at Maine East for the June recital. After the performance, the students and their families can look in the lobby together for their own picture!
Birthday Wall
Cari also painted the “Music Student Wall” at AMA and created all our students’ pictures on the musical notes. Anything that needs to be laminated has been done by Cari. If you look around the studio, that’s A LOT of laminating!
Cari is in charge of ordering student gifts throughout the year, creating the personalized labels that accompany them, takes pictures (and prints them) for the hundreds of Parent Appreciation cards that the children give their parents in May, and countless other projects that keep AMA exciting and family fun!
Music Wall
There is no task Miss Cari can’t handle! Here she is posing after transforming these black and white plaid shirts for our Seven Dwarfs hip-hop routine this season by dying them assorted colors!
Shirts for the Seven Dwarfs Hip-hop Routine!
Besides the day-to-day projects at AMA, Cari also creates the props and scenery that make our shows so special and unique! She has helped with hundreds of props over the years, scenery, and many other “behind the scenes” projects.
There are too many to post, but here is a taste of Cari’s handiwork!
She designed the giant guitar for “Johnny B. Good”
and the matching guitars that were used as props.
The big red barn that the children were able to
skip, gallop, and dance through was also her creation.
The Yellow Submarine!
We also have Cari to thank for taking us
back to the 70’s with the Partridge Family bus!
And the famous “Barbie Boxes!”
We can’t forget the fantastic “keyboard” façade
from last year’s “Music Legends and Superstars” Show!
What about the Brady Bunch station wagon? If you look closely, you can see Mr. Brady (a/k/a Cari) peeking out at the front of the car!
The Brady Bunch Wagon!
When asked which scenery was her favorite to construct, she responded:
“Although I have loved working on all recital props and scenery over the years, our upcoming show will be my favorite because I love Mickey Mouse and Disney. We are currently working on designing a castle facade for the Magic Kingdom. It will be two levels and very fun. I’m pretty excited about that!”
Thank you Cari, from the bottom of our hearts for all you do at AMA. Because your AMAzing is so strong, you have helped our students and staff be their best AMAzing!
I am so proud of her and Ann Marie (AMA) you are lucky to have her! She is so talented in every way! Thank you for reconizing her dedication you as a friend and an employee!