Tara Neeley

Mrs. Tara Neeley is passionate about helping students discover their own artistic paths and experience the lifelong benefits of the arts. As Graland’s artistic director, she supports visual and performing arts experiences that encourage creativity, confidence, self-expression, and collaboration. A music educator and practicing artist herself, she believes there are countless ways to engage in the arts and that everyone has the capacity to create. Ask her about her pottery studio and what she loves to create!

I especially love anytime we have the parachute out in music class. Music in early childhood is so playful and imaginative. There is a particular song about a hot air balloon that students really love because they take a hot air balloon ride with the parachute and land in different “worlds.” They get so excited to imagine different worlds because they have to act and move like the creatures in that world while I improvise some background music on the piano. They giggle and smile and beg to do this song throughout the whole year!

There are so many amazing Graland programs, but within my own department, I am especially inspired by the growth I see in students through our musicals and modern bands. It is truly amazing to watch students who may start out timid or shy blossom into confident risk-takers who are proud of themselves. Even if they don't continue performing on stage, the skills they develop will serve them throughout life.

I love working at Graland because the arts are seen as an essential and valuable part of a student's whole education. They are supported by administration, faculty, and parents.

I don't think I can pick just one!

I haven't been on all of the trips, but I have chaperoned Grade 5 at La Foret a number of times, and I really love this trip! You get to be outside, and it's great to see students challenge themselves. They often start the trip saying they don't want to try certain high-rope elements, but then choose to take on the challenge in the moment and are so proud of themselves in the end. The other students are so supportive and encouraging. I love seeing this camaraderie. The world needs more of this!

I am passionate about educating the community on why the arts are important for building lifelong skills, not just artistic skills, and helping students find their own artistic paths. Not everyone needs to be on stage or be a great painter. There are so many roles in the arts, and we are all artists. We just have to find our own path!

I love learning about new artistic processes and trying new ideas. It is a lifelong journey to accept one's work as an iterative process and continue through trial and error with constant motivation.

I lived in a mid-century modern ranch growing up, and since I was an only child, I had to entertain myself. I would set up “track courses” throughout the whole house that I had to run using things like paper bags, piano benches, and my dog as hurdles. I did, in fact, run track in high school, and it was my best sport!

Since I was young, I have had a favorite Native American proverb: “When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” This has always guided my life and really is my ultimate goal: to make others' lives better, be kind, walk in my own truth, live authentically, and bring some beauty to the world through the arts.

A potter and a mom of three boys who aren't so little anymore! In my free time, I am most often found throwing on a pottery wheel or glazing pottery for my small business, Apotheclay Studio. Our three teenage boys keep us busy with all things band, and I enjoy cooking with lots of savory spices. Curry is my favorite spice, and I love experimenting with new soups!

Humane Colorado and 27J Performing Arts

Wooster, Ohio

As an only child, I spent a lot of time exploring outdoors. I have great memories of photographing nature and animals with my camera. I also made best friends with a buckeye tree outside my window, and I still love collecting buckeyes today. You might see me around Cranmer Park or Graland in the fall collecting these little treasures!

Master’s in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado

Bachelor’s in Music Education from Ohio Northern University