Heather Watts

Arts education is a big part of building a 21st century creative mind, and I think that we have let way too many kids lose their way by not drawing in their young minds with music, dance, painting and the other various ways we can express those things we do not have words for.

I don't want to be one of those people who have the best part of their life be 'back when.'

I have always believed that those that have been given a lot need to share in all areas of life.

In 2007, when my husband Damian Woetzel took on the artistic direction at the Vail Valley International Dance Festival, we both felt it was important to offer the entire Vail community access to dance.

I believe strongly in the power of arts education to engage and empower young people.

There are nights when you are lucky enough to tap into something about yourself that you are unaware of and can't possibly control, and somehow, at that moment, other people can view it or sense it or feel it.

With her grace and grit, and the will to lead change, Misty Copeland is truly a ballerina for our time.