Op-Ed: Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts is a piece of Cullman that was missing all along

Whew.

I must have said that in my head a dozen times on Thursday, Jan. 30, as I watched the students of Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts step onto the stage. Each of them had spent weeks preparing, practicing and refining their performances, all leading up to this moment — to stand before their family and friends and sing their hearts out.

Twenty-two young ladies took to the stage that night, each selecting a song that reflected her own voice, her own style and her own story. From powerhouse ballads by Adele to worship-filled songs by artists like Lauren Daigle, to ending the night with the powerful performances of Broadway, the stage became a patchwork of genres and experiences, woven together by the sheer passion of these young performers.

Initially, I had come to cover the event, planning to write a follow-up article about this promising new performing arts studio led by Paige Clabo, a Cullman native who once graced the stages of Dollywood as a star performer. It was supposed to be a celebration of the local talent she was coaching — a showcase of what this new program had to offer.

But somewhere during the night, something shifted for me.

One of Paige’s students, Addie Wood, took to the stage to sing a song called “The Truth,” by Meagan Woods. Addie had an incredible voice, the type that makes you hang on to every word. There was depth in her voice, the kind that makes you feel something.

I sat there, unexpectedly emotional. Maybe it was the song itself. Maybe it was the simple, unfiltered air of worship that she brought to the room. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the fact that I sat there beside my 7-year-old son, watching him soak in the music, the same way I had once done as a young dreamer in high school getting to watch stars in the making on stage.

And then it hit me.

This, Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts, was a piece of Cullman that had been missing.

As a high schooler, I had longed for something like this, a place that nurtured talent, where young artists could stand in the spotlight, find themselves in their talents and chase their dreams. And now, right in front of me, was a new generation getting that very opportunity.

For students in schools that lack the resources to invest in fine arts or where funding is overwhelmingly allocated toward athletics with little consideration for the other half of the student body, Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts offers a new opportunity. It provides a dedicated space for young artists to develop their talents, build confidence and chase dreams that might have otherwise gone unexplored.

Rest assured, this comes with the dedication of a committed, passionate teacher in Paige Clabo, whose belief in her students was evident in every interaction. From the moment she took to the stage to open the recital, her voice was full of intentional affirmation and a face that glowed with pride throughout the night.

There was a moment during the recital that stood out as a true testament to her leadership and dedication to her students. One student struggled through her song and got lost in the words. Instead of allowing her to falter, Paige stepped onto the stage, took her hand and calmly asked for the song to be restarted. Teachers face a choice in those moments: allow a student to fail and learn from it or walk beside them through the struggle to help them come out stronger and more confident. Paige chose the latter. The young singer, now reassured and supported, completed the song on the second attempt, met with roaring applause and a standing ovation from Paige herself.

To me, this recital served as more than just a showcase of talent, it was a glimpse into the future. A future where young performers in Cullman have a real chance to dedicate themselves to their craft. A future where they have a mentor who believes in them and a stage where they are encouraged to be bold.

As I sat there watching, I couldn’t help but reflect on what this meant for my own kids. Whether my boys play sports, which they love, or discover a new passion or talent through performing arts, I love to know that I have the option to give them an opportunity that I never had access to.

Don’t get me wrong, I am forever grateful for the opportunities that I had at Vinemont High School. But for students who wanted to pursue a career in acting or the performing arts, the opportunities simply weren’t there. Whether due to a lack of resources or simply not having the faculty with the knowledge of how to foster such dreams, students lacked the environment necessary to explore that path. It was something many students at the time noticed and something that, for a long time, I was unsure would ever change.

But that’s not the case anymore.

Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts isn’t just for one type of performer; it’s for anyone of any age or experience level who wants to learn, grow and chase their dreams in the arts.

So, thank you, Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts, for a night of wonderful entertainment that I got to share with a community of family and friends who came to praise the hard work and bravery it takes to stand on the stage as a young person and sing like these 22 young ladies did.

Thank you, Paige, for creating something that was missing in Cullman for far too long. Thank you for allowing me to witness your proud heart, standing in ovation for each of your students and praising them for their accomplishments.

And to the students, thank you for sharing your talents with us. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or are already far down the road, I encourage you to lean on your leader, encourage your friends around you and continue to be bold and work toward your dreams. After all, it’s people like Addie Wood, a young performer who doesn’t even know me, who was able to bless me with nothing more than a song and allowed me to have a moment to cherish with my son.

I look forward to seeing Heirlooms grow and attending many more recitals and events. After all, it only takes one visionary to spark a dream — and that dream multiplies through the students who now have the chance to chase theirs.

For more information on Heirlooms Fine & Performing Arts, call 256-339-8876 or email Paige at paigeclabo@gmail.com. For any other information, visit www.heirloomsfineandperformingarts.com.

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