(STURGIS) - A former Sturgis resident was the keynote speaker during Tuesday's Sturgis Fest Kick Off Dinner.
Deborah Mayer, who graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1986, has traveled the world as an opera singer, performing in many operas along with directing many musical productions.
Mayer has taught voice at the University of Notre Dame since 2006. She has also been on faculty at Goshen College, Southwestern Michigan College, and The Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University South Bend.
Mayer says the first musical she remembers seeing was "1776" and she fell in love with them at that point. She says musicals hold a special place in people's hearts.
Mayer says musicals bring together two of the oldest forms of entertainment, storytelling and music. She says people used to gather to tell stories with words and songs and to perform. Mayer says musicals continue that tradition and bring people joy. (LISTEN ABOVE).
Mayer encouraged the audience to continue the great tradition of having musicals and other forms of entertainment locally at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts to inspire future generations.