Letter of Support for Jessica Marsh To Whom It May Concern:

June 2011

As a faculty member (Music - Songwriting II), I have had the pleasure of teaching Jessica, and have witnessed first-hand how multi-talented, organized and positive she is. In my class, Jessica provided a dynamic element through her commitment to her work, her support of other students, and her eagerness to dive in and lend a hand wherever it was needed onstage or off-stage. Jessica is a gifted songwriter, but this is only one of her many talents. In the Songwriting class, students are often in a vulnerable position, exposing new work to their peers and myself for critique. Not only did Jessica handle her moments under the microscope with grace and openness, but she also demonstrated two other valuable qualities when she offered her own critiques: critical thinking (excellent analytic and problem solving skills); and tact (emotional awareness and respectfulness in the delivery of criticism). These skills, combined with a naturally caring attitude, made her popular with the other students, and have served her well in the variety of roles she has played in the arts community in Edmonton. Jessica may be relatively young in years, but she is a mature individual who has worked independently in many challenging situations. Behind the scenes she has stage-managed recitals and concerts, worked as a live sound technician and organized numerous music events through the Students Association. In such capacities, Jessica has had to deal with both the human element (a wide variety of personalities and expectations) and the technical element (computerized recording, sound systems, communications systems) in some rather demanding environments. And when called upon to shine, Jessica has always proven to be a wonderful performer, bringing a well-developed sense of humour, passion and charm to the stage. As a person who has graduated from both the Music Program and the Arts and Cultural Management Program at MacEwan, I believe Jessica is particularly strongly qualified to assume any role in the arts. Even her two courses of study reflect the balanced and diverse individual she is. I know that she is highly regarded by Music Faculty, and as a recent graduate and past member of the Students Association, Jessica would be able to relate and connect with those she is working with effortlessly. I am certain that Jessica would be a perfect fit for any arts position and recommend her enthusiastically. Sincerely,

Robert Walsh 8707-64 St. Edmonton AB