Lifetime Arts Grows Team and Refines Roles to Drive Vision Forward

My grandmother, Faye Tisdale, was a musician and an extraordinary piano player, and she continued to fill her life with art and music up until the end. She spent her time here sharing her gift and her love of music with anyone who would listen, and there is no doubt in my mind that her family, her friends, her community, and every life she ever touched was better off for it. Seeing the deep connection she had with music in her own life inspires me to nurture my own passion for the craft. It also reminds me how valuable the role of art is in strengthening our connections to ourselves and others throughout our lives.

My maternal grandmother, who’s about to turn 90 this spring, is one of the most remarkable people I know. She’s full of life—spicy, outspoken, and fiercely thoughtful. Despite never being taught or learning to read, she’s spent her entire life navigating New York City and Trinidad better than I can. She either just knows where she is,  listens to the public transportation announcements, or figures it out by talking with strangers. What stands out to me most is how she looks out for everyone and keeps up with all our business, which is remarkable given how many kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids she has. She is the central source of gossip for multiple generations in our family. Mama. Knows. All. And she’ll tell you anything you want to know and likely several things you don’t. One of my favorite memories is surprising her in Trinidad for her birthday a few years ago. Our family spent a day at the beach, where she was rolling around in the waves, just soaking up the joy of the moment. At one point, she floated face down in the water, and we all panicked—only for her to pop her head up laughing at us. That’s just who she is: full of humor, spice, and a zest for life.

Outside of work, I am an improvisational actor, performing with both comedic and dramatic troupes through Queen City Comedy in Charlotte. I’m also a visual artist, mainly working with stained glass and photography. You can check out my work here!

Throughout my childhood, I played piano, sang, danced, wrote, and drew on anything I could get my hands on. With less free time and motivation in adulthood, I’ve learned that creative aging can start — and re-ignite — at any age. In recent years, I’ve written mini scripts that I keep to myself, re-learned a few chords on piano, took up guitar, and danced like a fool at weddings. Creativity is limitless, and can look different for everyone. That’s the beauty of it!

I’m a lifelong learner who thrives in community! Whether I’m attending a multigenerational potluck, diving into a good book with my reading group, or splashing around in my weekly aqua aerobics class (we call ourselves “The Aqua Nuts”), all of this adds to my creative aging journey— plus, my epic adventure of making a latch hook rug, which is taking me years, ha!

Shifting attitudes around aging, building better support systems, and creating more responsive and innovative programs that meet the diverse needs and aspirations of older adults.

My maternal grandparents – Bud and Betty – are huge inspirations in my life.  Not only were they the drivers of connection and love in our family, they were creatives themselves – my grandfather was constantly getting his life memories down in short stories and articles; my grandmother was a visual artist, who also had a knack for instantly connecting with strangers and getting their own stories out of them!  They were always supportive of my creative efforts, and game when it meant casting them in the home plays I made.  I strive for that kind of deep connection and shared inspiration with every older adult I work with.

I love that Lifetime Arts is helping to redefine aging and creating more opportunities for our grandparents, parents, and ourselves! Because of my work here, I’m excited about my own journey towards elderhood.

I am a tinkerer and maker of things, a painter and drawer, and I enjoy woodworking.