2022 Scholarship Recipient Maïté Agopian reflects on her experience

thanks to Bernd Academy, I am learning to make and tune my instruments to sparkle some joy around. 

For all the hardship Covid brought, while it isolated many, it did open some of my world, giving me the sudden opportunities to learn from many puppeteers, and “meet” a worldwide online community from the comfort of my little alaskan cabin. Bernd Ogrodnick first Academy Class was such an opportunity. I could take the time to learn from a master puppeteer in Iceland how to transform my little workshop into a partial woodshop, how to make wooden puppets from scratch, how to use some tools I was so afraid to touch before, and how to get over performance fear, all on my own good time. Over a year and a half, I started to truly understand how to make various kinds of wooden puppets through repetition, time, well documented lessons, and our monthly facebook Q&A, gaining not only craftmanships but also confidence. 

With Bernd’s new Mastermind Program (AMP), I can continue to learn in this rhythm that works so well for me, as classes are intertwine with my regular life and projects. This year I'll focus on tuning my instrument and steadily grow into a more "rounded" puppeteer. I continue to learn from a community of engaged puppeteers who are willing to share their doubts and concerns as much as their accomplishments. This program as a whole helps to feel connected and spark joy, while being very professional, which is what for me puppetry is all about.