Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2012 - (Page 9)

career spotlight for these talented cast members it all started when they met a mouse hen Justin Muchoney and Jim Kapsimalis visited the Disney Parks with their high school performing arts groups, they probably never imagined they’d be coming back to work for The Walt Disney Company after graduation. Little did they know that what they thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip down Main Street, U.S.A.®, would spark the inspiration to use their creativity in a whole new way. W has many memories of being among the “lucky few” in his high school who got to experience two performing arts trips to the Walt Disney World® Resort. “These opportunities showed me how far music could take me and how much fun I could have along the way,” Justin remarks. “After experiencing the worlds of performance and entertainment through my Disney Performing Arts experiences, I was never going to be able to settle for anything less than that incredible feeling.” Justin After graduating from college with a degree in music education, Justin taught high school band outside of Pittsburgh, Pa., and served as the marching unit director when he took his students on their own performing arts trip. “Knowing that they are learning from and working with world-class Disney musicians was one of the greatest moments of my career,” recalls Justin. The impact that Disney had on Justin’s life didn’t end there — a few years later he won a nationwide promotion to elect a “Chief Magic Official” for Disney Parks, which brought him full circle — experiencing Disney Performing Arts as a student, a director and a Disney Cast Member. Now Justin is an Entertainment Manager at Epcot® and says “I would not have gotten to where I am today if I had not had those chances to perform at Disney. I’ve been lucky enough to perform in Europe, march in the Tournament of Roses Parade and travel the world with Disney, but there will never be a memory like marching down Main Street, U.S.A.” Justin Jim , a two-time alumni of Disney Performing Arts programs, was a drummer in his high school band in Chicago, Ill. “Our trips to Disney were always the highlight of the year, and we all spent quite a bit of time fundraising so we wouldn’t miss out!” Jim says. “I still remember the first time we came bursting out from backstage, instruments blaring, and seeing all the people who had lined the parade route. They were cheering on our band from Illinois as if they had been following us their entire lives. It was an amazing experience. The opportunity to perform in The Happiest Place on Earth … there’s just nothing else like it.” Little did Jim know that, years later, he’d be coming back to Disney — this time to work as a Cast Member. Today Jim is a Digital Marketing Manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where he promotes The Walt Disney Company via social and mobile platforms. “Now I get to walk through the Parks whenever I want, and it still gets to me, seeing all the happy kids and their families,” remarks Jim. “Every once in a while I do actually catch myself thinking about the first time I got to march down Main Street, U.S.A., and the rest of Disneyland® Park. That always makes me smile.” Jim N extra credit | 9 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2012

Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2012
Contents
Welcome
Events Corner
Career Spotlight
Center Stage
Disney Parks News
Disney Performing Arts Alumni
Competitive Performances
Start Spreading The News
The King Of All Surprises
It's Showtime
Real-World Education
Benefits Of Student Travel
Travel Planner Honors
Music With A Cause
Mickey's Mind Teasers

Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2012

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