RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-927

A resolution recognizing Shirley Blackburn for her 40 years of outstanding service to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

WHEREAS, Shirley Blackburn, Director of the Metro Dance Program, with the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation, is stepping down after getting the Metro Dance Program through one last production of the Nutcracker; and

WHEREAS, Shirley is an extremely talented, compassionate and dedicated individual, who worked tirelessly while overseeing a multi-faceted program that includes classes in ballet, creative rhythms, Flamenco, dance for musical theater, and tap as well as three performance groups: Centennial Youth Ballet, Music City Ballroom Kids, and Metro Parks Swinging Seniors; and

WHEREAS, amongst her many accomplishments she has she reviewed dance for The Tennessean for 21 years and has contributed articles to professional dance publications including Pointe Magazine, has served on the board of the Tennessee Association of Dance for nine years and received that organization’s Margaret Martin Award for furthering the public image and accessibility of dance in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, she has studied ballet with numerous teachers of the art, attended summer courses at American Dance Festival and Birmingham Southern College, completed teachers’ training courses at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School (certificate) and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (certificate), has been certified in the Vaganova method of teaching ballet (Grades 1-3) by John White of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, and currently teaches beginning level ballet for Metro Parks and Belmont University; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize the service and accomplishments that are evidence of her love of dance and wish her well.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Shirley Blackburn for her 40 years of outstanding service to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Shirley Blackburn.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Megan Barry

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	December 3, 2013
Adopted:	December 3, 2013
Approved:	December 5, 2013
By: