Parents, if you can go to AMTC, do it…

Mrs. Carey Arban,

I guess I’ve started this email about three times and keep finding myself unable to convey my thoughts in a non-novel manner. This was our second trip to AMTC; the first trip ended with Baileigh signing a contract in LA with Osbrink (outstanding people) where she was able to book some work and go on numerous auditions. Unfortunatally, a couple months before Baileigh was to return to LA, Jamie had a near fatal car accident.

So, for the past year it had been about getting mom better. Just as we were discussing a return trip to LA, our mother agent Donna Groff from Memphis asked us if we would like to return to AMTC; to get Baileigh back into the swing of things. After the experence we had during our first trip, we (without hesitation) said yes.

Baileigh did very well and had numerous visits with New York agents. After the conference we received a call from an agent whom we spoke with at the conference (CFT). They asked if we were going to be in town because there was an audition they wanted to send her on. She did not book the job but did make it to second call back out of 200 kids.

After the conference and for the past week, I’ve been able to reflect on the first and second AMTC trips and have come to the conculsion that it is an experience of a lifetime. For one week you are surrounded by people saying “good luck” or “good job”; it is a positive and caring atomosphere. It is a place where you can care about other people and cheer as loudly for someone else as you can for your own child.

It is a place that you can make lifelong friends, it is a place that you can enjoy some gifted and blessed people that have all struggled and overcome adversity to make it to AMTC. I took a little survey at our last group meeting and asked how many would come back? Everyone raised their hand. I am looking forward to a third trip to AMTC. I hope AMTC brings you as much joy hosting as it brings to those of us watching or Participating.

At the introduction, Mr. Bob congratulated those contestants that stuck with it and had the resolve to make it to the conference. And that’s when I realized that dreams do not come easy, an unwatered flower soon dies, but a nurtured flower will flourish. I saw many nurtured flowers, but I also thought of those who had come so close and chose not to come. What an experience they missed out on, what an opportunity they missed.

To see my child and others stand in front of a thousand people and sing, dance or talk, that is always amazing no matter how many times you see it. The confidence and training that AMTC provides is priceless. If you figure a family vacation compared to what AMTC cost, there’s really not much difference. But if you factor in the experience and exposure, AMTC is a better bargain at twice the price. I feel you already know this, and this email is addressed to you, but intended for those of you that are looking but just can’t commit. I would return to AMTC as an observer, just for the experence of the people.

I wish my parents would have given me a gift like AMTC when I was young, I know I wouldn’t have had the talent, but I could have used the confidence everyday for the rest of my life. Parents, if you can go to AMTC do it, get a loan if you have to, it’s worth it and will make a bigger impact on your and your child’s life than a couple of pictures on a beach somewhere. AMTC is not an event; it’s an experience! To: Mrs. Carey, Mr. Bob and the entire staff of AMTC it was such a joy to get to see everyone again and I look forward to seeing each one of you soon.

Thank you for all you put into AMTC.
May God bless and keep you,

Bill West, Baileigh’s Dad