Honor Society

Performing Groups Are All Ears

Disney Performing Arts participants now earn a special kind of recognition: the Ears for the Arts badge
by Matt Robinson

If you visit a Disney resort, you're bound to leave with some sort of souvenir. And now, for the students and teachers who are invited to participate in a Disney Performing Arts program, there's a unique piece of Disney magic that can help them both remember and show off their accomplishment.

Disney's Ears for the Arts badge is a special pin that has been designed exclusively for Disney Performing Arts participants. The first sets of badges were distributed at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort this past February and have already started a buzz within the performing arts community. The inaugural badge recipients at Disneyland were dance students from the Academy of Ballet in Orem, Utah. Led by director Tyne Crockett, the troupe were handed their badges by none other than Minnie Mouse.

On the East Coast at Walt Disney World, the first badges went to a group of band and choir students from Pittsford Mendon High School in Pittsford, New York. "About two weeks before we left for our trip, a Cast Member told us that there would be a special event after our performances," Pittsford Mendon music department leader Mark Puma says. "We had no idea what was going to happen until the event began."

Pittsford Mendon groups had performed at Disney before, but this was the first time they had gotten such of official recognition. "We were all surprised when we got back to the warm-up facility after our groups had performed," choir director Edith Rice says.

"The facilitator said that we exemplified Disney's 'Three Cs': confidence, character, and camaraderie," Puma recalls.

"They complimented our musicianship and how well we represented our school," Rice adds. "My colleague and I were presented with Mickey ears with 'director' embroidered on them, as well as a pin and a poster congratulating us. Then Mickey came out for pictures with us and the students. Each of the students then received a pin."

Because Puma and Rice emphasize the importance of leaving a "legacy of excellence" to their students, they were especially grateful to receive this special honor. It's the opening chapter of a long-running story that will set all future DPA participants apart.