Along with the title comes an honorary stipend and some heavyweight status. Such artists don't have to wait in lines at restaurants or hold their own umbrellas anymore. If Knoxville ever decided to recognize its own living treasures, Donald Brown would be near the top of the list. By night, just about every day of the week, you'll find him on a local stage playing the unique brand of jazz that has earned a him an international reputation as a composer and performer. They're two different ways I can make a contribution.
Teaching is a lot like parenting.
You give what you can to the students and share what you know. Over a period of time you see each student develop musically. They may go on to perform or they may go on to teach themselves. By performing, I give something directly to my audience. You can tell when they enjoy it, when what I play makes a difference.