AMTC: Strong Foundation and Precious Opportunity

Dear Ms. Carey Arban,

What a gift and an absolute blessing it has been to be a part of the AMTC program—a program of real values, a Christian perspective, and a launching pad of in-the-know resources in the entertainment industry. It was an honor and a blessing to meet you and be touched by your words of wisdom and grace. Prepping for AMTC has involved a tremendous amount of work and planning, but the time, money, and energy spent of figuring out each detail has been rewarding and I have loved the process of preparing, performing, learning, and growing.

Your kindness, vision, and generosity are limitless. I am inspired by your dedication to each participant at AMTC and by the real radiance of your faith. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, resources, and insights with all who seek opportunity and for encouraging us to let our light shine. I truly had the experience of a lifetime, grew, and learned at all of the rehearsals and training opportunities that AMTC offered.

Receiving finalist commercial model, overall dancer, and performing as a top dancer in the talent showcase and a TV commercial in the Top 40 TV commercials showcase was the icing on the cake for me. I have gained insight, perspective, and first-hand experience in my time at AMTC Winter Convention 2010. As a quadruple plus talent, I am working on my skills in all four areas: singing, modeling, acting, and dancing… I am taking guitar and drum lessons, working on some original songs that I hope to perform, I am shooting regularly and modeling for a local vintage clothing store called Design Archives, I am taking acting classes focusing on performing monologues through the local Community theatre, and I am actively participating in fitness-based classes at the gym I joined (bellydancing, zumba, cardio, fit beat, hip-hop, yoga, latin dance, and etc.).

I am working with Allie Reeves for follow-up and look forward to expanding and developing my skills as I launch into my vital next steps. I am currently signing a non-exclusive contract with Advantage Models & Talent, based in Nashville, TN, possibly Marilyn’s International of Greensboro, NC, and hope to plan a trip to New York to work with agencies: FFT, Herman & Lipson Casting, and Don Buchwald Associates.

I look forward to keeping in touch with all of my AMTC family, including charting the continual progress of my fellow AMTC contestants. Savannah Livengood had been one of my ballet students and I was thrilled to see her colorful image appear in a promotional page in the AMTC Winter 2010 program book. Also, Jon Barnes (who had tied for Overall Dancer in the AMTC Summer 2009 convention) and I are finding opportunities to both dance and choreograph with each other.

Everyone I have met through AMTC has been so optimistic, helpful, caring, and supportive, from fellow contestants in various conventions to the VIP’s to the administrative staff, like Lisa Morely, along with the excellent directors and coaches. Lauren Welt was a particularly resourceful source for tips and tidbits; she wholeheartedly shared her daughter, Nicole Welt’s, experience with us.

I am also grateful to Glynis Arban and Lexy She. I have learned a lot from their generous sharing and expertise and was able to have superb photos that were used in the Photography competition.

I look forward to the journey ahead and feel confident that I have been given and will continue to be provided with the tools, knowledge, and experience to burgeon into a promising career in the entertainment industry… I am truly grateful to be given a strong foundation and precious opportunities through AMTC. Any and all of my involvement with AMTC has been insightful, invigorating, interesting, and inspiring… The future is bright and beautiful and I look forward to staying inspired on my journey.

My sincerest gratitude,
Susan Schabacker