Meet our latest #IAmAcceptd feature, Carlie Mae Pool!
Acceptd: Hi, Carlie! What should we know about you?
Carlie: Hi! I’m Carlie Pool, I’ve been in choir and musical theatre nearly my whole life, I’m a junior in high school, I’m in Bartlesville, OK, and I’m a leftie!
Acceptd: What first got you interested in the arts?
Carlie: My mom actually has a great story about me singing in harmony with my dolls when I was 18 months old. It’s always been something I loved and as I got older people kept telling me I was good at it and it started to become a real passion for me.
Acceptd: What inspires you? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Carlie: The future inspires me. If I’m ever down and out I remember that there’s so much waiting for me if I get through this moment.
Acceptd: What does it mean to you to be accepted? Can you recall a time you recently felt this feeling?
Carlie: To be accepted is to be truly valued for the person you are. I was recently at church and the choir I sing in has been so welcoming. I know that they value my presence as not only a singer, but a person as well.
Acceptd: What do you plan to do either in the arts or with your artistic talents in the future?
Carlie: I plan on going into music education and hopefully performing whether it be on Broadway or in local community theatre.
Acceptd: What is one piece of advice you’d give aspiring creatives like yourself?
Carlie: The only piece of advice I have is to cut yourself some slack. Learning these skills takes time, no matter how talented you are or what time in your life you start. A lot of us are perfectionists and if you beat yourself up too much, you can lose your love for the arts.
Acceptd: What is “art" to you?
Carlie: Art is expression. The way or medium in which you do it is up to you.
Acceptd: What is your Instagram handle and any other channels we can find you on?
Carlie: My Instagram is @carlie.the.mae, my YouTube channel is Carlie Mae Pool!
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About Acceptd:
Acceptd is the world’s largest arts network, connecting organizations with top talent and providing artists tools to help them flourish. Acceptd boasts more than 600 partner organizations, universities, festivals and other arts groups as well as more than 450,000 artist user profiles. From performers at Sydney Opera House to the marching bands in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Acceptd has had the privilege of working with premiere arts organizations around the globe to optimize their application process and connect with the right talent.
