In Focus | Michael Guzzi of Studio9 School of the Arts

If you get a chance to chat with Michael Guzzi, you better be prepared to hear about his kids. We are not referring to his natural children, but to all the ones he has adopted at Studio9 School of the Arts. Michael is the leader of the arts-focused education that has carved out a niche for Studio9 in Kelowna. There, students are encouraged to celebrate their differences rather than conform to fit in. Giving students a voice to express themselves has benefited them tremendously. And it's probably why Michael uses his voice to sing their praises In Focus.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Imagination is more important than knowledge

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Paul McCartney

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Honour in the Arts

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Ghandi

Who inspires you?
John Lennon

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
A volunteer stint for ocean research or saving an ocean species
Scuba Diving with Whale Sharks
A new full facility for Studio9 School of the Arts

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Imagination

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
The day we move into a new Studio9....you know just like the one in my mind.

What are you passionate about?
The Arts especially music, the Environment especially the oceans, helping people discover their passion and following it.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
The day my wife and I certified as scuba divers and dove a reef together. Nothing quite like seeing a tropical reef up close and personal for the first time. Well, maybe a Beatles concert.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Bringing Studio9 to fruition with some arts-passionate people beside me.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
Old Vines Restaurant

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
Center for Arts and Technology 48 Hour Film Challenge or their Annual Student Film Festival

What is the name of your business/organization?
Studio9 School of the Arts

What does your business/organization do?
Pre-school through to Grade 12 Arts focused academic school

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.studio9.ca

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-guzzi/19/7ba/766

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Studio-9/185017564940417

What is your Twitter account?
twitter.com/Studio9Kelowna

What is your mission?
With a focus on the Arts, at Studio9 Independent Arts School we strive to challenge and empower our students in a creative, progressive, nurturing and unexpected arts educational environment.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Proving once and for all the power and value of comprehensive arts programming in education

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
At a reasonable size in a self-contained facility to accommodate a comprehensive arts curriculum staffed with people as great as those that around us now, including staff, contractors and friends.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Belief in people
Connection to students
Passion for the Arts

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for bringing your passion to Studio9

How does your business/organization impact the community?
To inspire young minds to discover and create while being confident and comfortable in who they are or have to offer the world.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Arts in education and project development/funding. I would talk their ears off about a million possibilities they could be involved with to create the perfect school for all those young minds who want to experience the arts everyday and at the same time have imagination and creativity in their academic education. Just point me to that elevator.

If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
An economy/process to properly support families in affording to live here

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
This area has had the fortune of having passionate people with honest-to-goodness vision and belief in this community like WAC Bennett, Barry Urness, Ben Lee, Jim Stewart, Robert Fine and Walter Gray. There are others but those are just some samples. We always point to things like geography, climate and facilities, but it's the people that make a place great.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Vivian Hughes

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Let's please get out and support your local arts community with donation and ticket sales.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at WelcometoKelowna.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!