The Start of a New LEAF

A few Questions for Director Jennifer Pickering

1.       How did LEAF get started and why?

Totally by a series of accidents, circumstances, and innocence. When it became clear that i was starting LEAF, my main endeavor was to create a festival that was a sampling of a variety of artistic expressions that the Asheville area offers and a sampling of cultures through the music and the dance.

 

2.    What is your biggest achievement or major accomplishment since the organization was founded?

creating LEAF in Schools & Streets in 2004 which now has worked with over 16,000 youth in our local area and LEAF International in 2006 which has programs in 6 countries and has worked with over 600 youth.

 

3.    What were your biggest obstacles in obtaining to your goals?

Funding and lack of support staff year around

 

4.    What CDs have you’re purchased recently or downloaded?

Playing for Change for we are partnering with them to build a music school in Kigali Rwanda. Currently- we are making our third LEAF CD which has a global focus and will be a fundraising tool for LEAF International

 

5.    What community issue or social cause is most important to you personally?

Youth in public housing communities having positive enrichment. I believe the health of a community is based on the "health and positivity" of our youth.

 

6.    What has LEAF done to give back to the community?

Locally through LEAF in Schools & Streets we have worked with over 16,000 youth since 2004 enriching, educating and empowering with music and arts through residencies, cultural enrichment concerts, mentoring, and year around teaching artists in the public housing communities. Many of these youth also become "performers" at LEAF alongside their teaching artists or mentors.

 

LEAF International empowers youth by connecting them to THEIR local cultural music traditions. Instruments are bought locally, local teachers are hired, and the community helps design the program.

 

7.    What do you think of Concepts4Charity and our mission of engaging youth in philanthropy through sports and the arts?

Fabulous & important!!!!

 

8.    Where do you see LEAF in Ten Years?

I hope for LEAF in Schools & Streets and LEAF International to have independent funding and support sources from the festival so that they can continue to grow and make a positive impact on local and global youth.

The festival is beautiful with what it is and hopefully logistics will be smoother and easier- i see it continuing as a strong family & friend tradition and allowing people to discover other cultures and explore new adventures while enjoying the outdoors.

 

9.    Is there anything else you would like to add?

We believe in the power of collaboration and love the energy and the vision of your work and hope we can collaborate somewhere in the future. YOU telling the stories is a HUGE step forward for all of us.