.beyond.measure.

The love I have for this group is well....'Beyond Measure'.

Being apart of something like this is a dream of mine.

I feel like I have known these people for the longest time. 

Feeling like I belong somewhere is worth while.

Being with these people doing what we love feels right.

Ladies and gents...BYU brings to you their first coed acapella group...

'BEYOND MEASURE'

.music.

I love listening to music that just makes you break down and cry...not because it's sad...but because it is so powerful and the message is gives is so moving. I love the power of music.

.missing.her.

Sometimes her songs come on my iTunes shuffle and I can't help but break down and cry.

Missing you every day sweet angel Sophie Rose Barton.

Keeping singing with the angels.

"Feel the fear and do it anyway."

.unknown.happiness.

I walked out of class today feeling genuinely happy.

Now this is a feeling I haven't feel since...well to be honest...I don't know.

I had just finished my Intro. to Special Education class.

A class that is nearly 3 hours but for some reason does not bother me one bit.

I didn't know why I was happy.

Nothing specific had really happened that day to bring on this sort of happiness.

So why was I this giddy?

Maybe it was because the sun was shining.

Maybe it was because with the sun shine came actual warm air and no more bitter chill.

Maybe is was being I was listening to John Mayer (favorite male singer) with my new ear muffs that can play music.

Maybe it was because I was finding myself actually enjoying this new university and change.

Maybe it was because I loved my major.

Maybe it was because my application to the program was officially done.

Maybe it was because I just wanted to be happy...so I was.

I literally could not stop smiling.

There was a giggle here and there.

I would shake my head just laughing at myself for being so giddy.

I probably looked like a complete fool walking home today.

I didn't care.

Especially since I hadn't felt this way in a REALLY long time.

It was well worth the wait.

"Wanna know why I smile so much?

        ...because it's worth it..."

                                -Marcel the Shell

Lost.

I was driving home by myself last night.
I love driving by myself.
It gives me time to turn on music that I want to listen to.
I put my phone on silent.
I usually ignore texts or phone calls.
It's Annie time.
Not anyone else's time.
I found myself lost in the lyrics of a song.
I found myself being the story of the song.
Being a musician and someone who has grown up loving music,
I find this to be a regular occurrence.
I love it.
I love taking the time to listen to the lyrics.
I love putting myself in the song writer's shoes.
I get lost in their story.
I don't even realize that I have now pulled into my apartment parking lot.
It's when the music shuts off that I come to reality and know that
there is a world out there.
That there is other noise out there besides the sound of a voice, piano and guitar.
It sometimes breaks my heart.
I wish my life was a constant song that never ended.
I love being lost in the lyrics.
I love not caring about the outside world.
I love music.
I love the power it has in my life.
The influence.
The emotion.
The passion.

Uke life away...

For Christmas, Aubrey got me a Ukulele.
I have 3 cousins that play so we like to jam together whenever I'm in town.
Aub granted me my secret wish.
A uke!
Mine was defected...so she called in and asked for exchange for a new one.
They said, "Oh just keep that one! We'll send you another one for free!"
FREE??? Okay!
We ended up getting mine fixed.
So what was once just one uke...turned into 2!
Aubrey and I have decided to dedicate Friday's to our Uke's.
Zooey and
Joseph Gordon.
After class, we had some time to kill before heading up to Salt Lake.
Why not uke life away for the time being?
It was a sunny day and it was warm!!
We took my laptop outside along with our ukes and sat down on the sidewalk and played.
We made friends and people passed by.
I love Friday's now.
Uke time with Aubs and Synergy!
Thanks for making my Friday afternoon so much fun Aubbie!

Although the night ended a little rough for me,
I have learned to rely on the Savior when times get hard.

Concert of angels...

Today was an incredible day.
After a lot of frustration, KSL ads, phone calls and texts,
Trent, Aubrey and I were able to get tickets to the Parachute concert.
Parachute is one of Trent's favorite bands.
He was stoked.
Tessa Barton and her band were opening for them.
Aubrey and I were stoked.
It was the best of both worlds.

Parachute was awesome!
I recognized a few of their songs.
They know how to put on a show!

Now rewinding to the pre-show.
I love watching Tessa perform.
Ever since her sweet sister Sophie passed away, I see so much of Sophie through Tessa.
I used to perform with Sophie in a singing and dancing group and I saw so much passion in her when she performed.
That passion shows through Tessa now.

"I want you to think of the most beautiful girl. She is tall. Has blonde hair and has an amazing voice...she is my sister Sophie Rose."
-Tessa Barton

Tessa performed a number called, "Walk With Me"
This is a song that her and Soph wrote together.
In The Venue is a loud joint but throughout this particular song, the audience was dead silent.
We all stood and listened to Tess perform this song.
It was Tessa.
Her guitar.
And Sophie's sweet spirit.
All on one single stage.
The power and spirit in the room was overwhelming.

This is a video that Tessa and her brothers made for Sophie on her birthday.
I've watched it 3 different times.
All 3 times of watching it have led me to tears.
Tessa is so strong.
Chas is so strong.
Luke is so strong.
The whole Barton family is so strong.

Keep singing through Tessa Sophie....
We all love hearing both of you sing.

Passionate.

Something I am passionate about...

DANCE.

I dance when I'm upset.
I dance when I'm happy.
I dance to find joy.
I dance to change lives.
I dance and leave the world behind.
I dance and find myself lost in the music.

Dance has given me opportunities to travel the world.

Orlando, Florida at Epcot

Philippines 2012

I have been able to change lives.

I have been able to have my life changed by others.

Synergy 2010

I have been taught by many amazing teachers. 

These are people I look up to in so many ways,

These are people I will never forget.

 Susan DeMille & D. Kim Clayton

Susan has worked with me through 7 musicals.

She is a brilliant choreographer and director.

Anyone who has done a show with her will agree with me.

She pushes me hard, but shows me that she loves me at the same time.

She has taught me dedication.

I love Susan!

Kim is a second father to me.

I have been under his direction since I was 5 years old.

He scared me when I first saw him.

Hey! He's 6' 7"!

But he is nothing but a soft spoken man who has so much passion for what he does.

He has had over 7,000 students walk through his studio.

He has changed many many lives.

It's because of him, I am confident enough to perform in front of 4,000 people.

I love this man.                         

Dance has made me work hard in life.

I auditioned for Olympus Dance Company 3 times.

I finally made it after that 3rd audition.

Worth it?

I think yes!

Olympus Dance Company 2010 Seniors

Dance has helped me reach out to others.

I was able to work with a group called Starstruck.

This group is for kids who are handicapped.

I love these kids.

I have been forever changed by them.

Allison & Jeffrey 

I was able to teach at Clayton with the dance company.

I was only able to teach for a year because I moved down to Orem for school.

I loved teaching dance!

Not only did I teach these girls, but they taught me many lessons as well!

Shanay, Becca, Ellie, Mikayla and Andrea became little sisters to me.

I loved this group!

Xcite 2010-2011

Not only did I get to teach a dance company group,

But I got to be in one!

I loved Monday nights!

It was a night where I got to teach for 3 hours,

and then dance for 2!

There girls became some of my best friends.

We all got so close!

Dream 2011

The dance company staff was amazing to work with.

Steph Dowse, Steph Wood and Megan became some of my best friends.

We are al in Synergy together and it is so much fun to be in a group with all 4 of us.

Vanessa was the dance company director. 

She did a wonderful job!

Clayton Dance Company Teachers 2010-2011

This past summer, 

I was able to be in my dream show.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I was in the children's chorus when I was 6 back at Kingsbury Hall.

Being a wife/dancer in this show was a dream come true for me!

And I got to be in it with my brother Hugh and some close friends!

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Draper 2011

I guess you could say that I love dance!

I'm very passionate about it.

I love what it's taught me.

I love how it's impacted my life.

I love how I've changed lives.

I love how I've been changed by others.

I love performing.

I love learning.

I love teaching.

I. LOVE. DANCE.

               

Chills...

I already blogged today...
But who cares? Here comes another post.
I was studying today while listening to Pachelbel Meets U2 by Jon Schmidt.
I wanted to see him the man himself play it.
So I got onto good ol' YouTube.
Then I searched "All of Me".
This video popped up.

Best part about this video is that this is the ONLY video on YouTube of Jon Schmidt playing this song himself. I began to tear up...not gonna lie. I now have a goal set for Christmas break...to finish learning this song. 2 pages down...a lot to go.

Hold On...

Her life was more than mine, 
Like a proud shooting star into the night, 
She crashed through the airwaves and ripped like a knife. 
It was a bad disease; her searching was over, over. 
Hold on to the light that guides you, 
Hold on to the air that cools you, 
Hold on, hold on to me 

Her mind steadfast through time, 
Her family stood by trying hard not to cry, 
With patience and virtue, kept strong through the night, oh. 
She never fell to her knees, her searching was over, over. 

Hold on to the light that guides you, 
Hold on to the air that cools you, 
Hold on, hold on to me 
Hold on to the light that guides you, 
Hold on to the air that cools you, 
Hold on, hold on to me 

And then my eyes stretched out, 
As I saw her hand slip away 

Hold on to the light that guides you, 
Hold on to the air that cools you, 
Hold on, hold on to me 
Hold on to the light that guides you, 
Hold on to the air that cools you, 
Hold on, hold on to me

"I have confidence..."

The sound of music is one of my favorite movies.
Yes I'm a musical nerd sometimes.
But I like it.
I love the song, "I Have Confidence"
Julie Andrews is amazing when she sings it!
It's been stuck in my head all day.
I. Have. Confidence.
Right now....I feel out of place.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Physically.
This song put a smile on my face.
I have confidence hat school and work will be good this week.
I have confidence that all will go well with my family.
I have confidence that friendships will continue to grow.
Having confidence is something that I'm working on this year.
I still have a long ways to go.
But I'll get there.

Music...

Day 17...

Today I am grateful for music. There is nothing better than driving in the car by yourself while listening to your favorite artist. There are people that hate driving...I LOVE it. Especially by myself. I am my own DJ. Today I listened to Taylor Swift while I drove to and from Salt Lake. I have realized that I can relate to every one of her songs. That's when I realized that I am grateful for music. I love listening to music anytime of the day. It puts me in a good mood. I can't help but be in a good mood when I listen to Natasha Bedingfield...I can't help but sing along with Taylor Swift...I can't help but melt when I listen to Michael Buble...I can't help but sing at the top of my lungs when I listen to Wicked...I can't help being happy when I listen to Sophie Barton...I can't help but smile when I hear Mindy Gledhill's voice...I can't help but calm down when I listen to John Mayer...I can't help but reflect back on my childhood when I listen to Billy Joel...all such different music....but all so meaningful to my life. I'm happy to say that I like all types of music. Country. Rock. Pop. Rap. Indy. I love it all! Music has played a huge part in my life ever since I was 5. It speaks to me. It understands me. It gets me through hard situations. It makes me happy. Music is well said to be the speech of angels. Music should never be harmless. Where words fail, music speaks. Music is LOVE in search of a word.

Bottom line...I LOVE MUSIC.

Some of my favorite songs and artists...

Mindy Gledhill-Whole Wide World

Trent and Annie-Fast Car

Natasha Bedingfield-Strip Me

Taylor Swift-Story of Us

Billy Joel-We Didn't Start the Fire

"You don't have to be a Mozart.."

Day 14...

Ahhh the piano.

The piano the piano. How I miss my shiny black Yamaha back in my living room. With ivory white keys and charcoal black keys. I remember my first piano lesson. Age 6. In the basement of Marlene Larsen's home. I fell in love with that instrument. I learned a lot from those lessons. My dance schedule was too busy to allow me to take lessons after school. So 6:45 AM lessons it was! Every Wednesday. Did I dread waking up for those lessons? Yep. Did I ever feel like giving up? Yep. But I didn't. Ya, I quit taking lessons in 9th grade...but I never gave up playing. I found myself on that piano more after I had quit lessons that while I was taking them. I was my own teacher now. I wanted to learn. I just didn't have the time to balance dance AND lessons. All of my church callings have been involved with music. From YW pianist...to ward choir accompanist...to Relief Society pianist...to ward chorister...to ward choir accompanist...yet again. I love having these callings.

Today, I needed to escape my apartments...my homework...my stress...my life. I didn't know how I was going to do that. I looked down at the sheet music for my ward choir that was sitting on my desk. Without even thinking, I picked it all up and walked out the door, got into my car and headed over to the ward building. Lo and behold... it was open. All I needed was the piano to be free. Amazingly enough...it was. I played and played and played. Mostly the choir music. But I started playing Jon Schmidt's "Waterfall". I forgot about the world for that period of time. I forgot about school, drama, stress and life in general. For that moment, it was just me. The piano. The music. The spirit. I needed that. I was bummed to look at the clock and see it read 7:20...time for 7:30 class. But I was just happy that I was able to have my own personal time for that hour. I LOVE playing the piano at home when no one is there. I open the piano lid to the highest level and just play my heart out. If I'm angry...I let it out on the piano...(without breaking it of course)...I play what my mood is and the piano plays along with me. Now I wouldn't say that I'm Beethoven, Mozart or Yanni. I just enjoy the passion I have for the piano. I'm so blessed to have music in my life.

"You don't have to be a Mozart...if you just play it from the heart..."

-Natasha Bedingfield