EDITOR’S NOTE: UNC Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey shared the following remarks about the UNC School of the Arts at the Board’s meeting there last week.

WINSTON-SALEM (April 18, 2024) – Chancellor (Brian) Cole, it’s been a privilege to visit the UNC School of the Arts. We’re beyond impressed by the students, faculty, and staff we’ve met — and by the performances we’ve seen this week….

Today, we celebrate the UNC School of the Arts — especially as it prepares students for rich, full, and rewarding lives beyond graduation.

The arts are a critically important part of our society, both in work and life. We talk a lot about STEM careers in our state – as we should. But it’s also important to recognize how an arts conservatory can nurture bright minds and careers, both inside and outside the arts.

I like to remember what Albert Einstein said — that “logic will get you from A to B. But imagination will take you anywhere.” With that in mind, I’ll share two different stories.  

The first is about a violinist who left his home country of Mexico to study music in the United States. After earning his undergraduate degree in Virginia, Ludwig Carrasco chose UNCSA for his graduate degree, where he studied violin performance.

After graduation Ludwig toured and performed, traveled the world and lived his dream. But as time went by, his goals changed. He wanted a more active role interpreting and creating music. He trained as an orchestra conductor, and eventually returned to Mexico to put down roots.

The second story is about a high schooler who moved from Alaska to North Carolina. A gifted singer with no formal training, Emily Riedel also chose to attend UNCSA’s School of Music. She remembers the experience like an uphill climb. Slow, challenging, but full of encouragement from her professors. She grew accomplished and honed her skills. Most of all, she learned to never give up.

After graduation, Emily’s dream was to travel, study opera, and become a professional singer. That goal was expensive, so she moved back to Alaska, worked on the crew of a gold dredging ship, and saved money. But as time went by, Emily’s dreams also shifted. In a move she never could’ve anticipated, Emily bought herself a ship and set sail as the first female gold dredging captain on the Bering Sea.

For Ludwig and Emily, life beyond college was unpredictable — as it often is. But the results led to a surprising and fulfilling career for both.

Today, Ludwig is the artistic director and chief conductor for the Mexico City Chamber Orchestra – the most important orchestra in Latin America. 

As for Emily, she is the star of the Discovery Channel series, “Bering Sea Gold,” a reality show that follows sea captains and crew members as they mine for gold off the Alaskan coast.

Both alumni credit their professional and personal success to the skills and work ethic they learned during their time at the School of the Arts.

These experiences give us a snapshot of the impact this university has on its students. Of the dedication of its faculty and staff — and of the value of mentorships, masterclasses, and practice time in studios and on stage.

The value of an arts degree is multifaceted. It develops the imaginations of those with creative talents. It produces skills and a disciplined mindset focused on finding what is possible, even in the face of the impossible.

The School of the Arts has many incredible stories to share — and I encourage you to read some for yourselves. Graduates of this institution become musicians, actors, dancers, designers, screenwriters, graphic artists, and film directors, among many others.

But then there are the stories about transferrable skills. An arts degree could help you start your own business. Become a teacher. Work in marketing, communications, or even STEM. Or it could help you to become a famous ship captain dredging for gold in Alaska.

Which leads me back to my earlier point. While we build our workforce, let’s not overlook the value of the arts in developing strong, creative, resilient, and adaptable people.

People who are filled with imagination, and who use that to build bridges and form meaningful connections in their community. People who support local theaters, art galleries, and music venues.

People who know that both industry and artistry are important to economic and social growth.

That’s why our state is made stronger when we nurture talent on all fronts — when we foster the scientific and the artistic. Like Einstein said – logic and imagination go together. But one only goes so far without the other.

So, let’s go, Fighting Pickles!