Each month, we ask a staff member to answer five questions about their position at The Walt Disney Family Museum, their fondest Disney memories, and other personal tidbits. As schools start to break for summer, we'd like to introduce you to someone on our education team... so today, we're asking Alyssa Carnahan... what do YOU do??
WDFM: What is your title and what do YOU do here at The Walt Disney Family Museum?
Alyssa: I am the Open Studio Coordinator, which means that I coordinate the activities that happen in our Art and Digital Media Studios during the first two weekends of the month. I also coordinate our Look Closer Gallery Talk series, teach our School Experiences and Summer Camp Workshops, and answer inquiries from students asking for information about Walt Disney. As a member of the Education team, I am required to be an expert in the content of the museum and Special Exhibitions, and then to create programs which engage visitors with the artifacts and stories told in the galleries.
What is your fondest Disney memory OR what is your favorite gallery at the Walt Disney Family Museum and why?
I grew up going to Disneyland with my family at least once a year. I have more memories of Disney than I can count on ten hands, but one that stands out to me is my first memory of watching the Main Street Electrical Parade. It was about the most magical thing I had ever experienced. I listened to the soundtrack from that parade about a million times and even staged reenactments at home in the yard with my two sisters. My favorite part of the parade was the Elliot float from Pete’s Dragon.
How does your job communicate and interpret the legacy of Walt Disney?
My job allows me to engage very closely with the life and legacy of Walt Disney. Whether I am answering a question, giving a tour, planning a program, teaching a class, or writing an entry for the museum’s blog Storyboard, I am constantly trying to relate back to Walt and his work. Because he had so many diverse interests, his legacy allows us to pursue topics in many different directions. This keeps me on my toes, so to speak, and keeps my job interesting.
Describe your workspace OR your favorite item on your desk:
My desk is covered in bits of Disney imagery, original artwork, and photographs. I like to surround myself with a lot of color and many different types of inspiration. My favorite item on my desk is my Disney daily calendar. I received it from Corinne Leles, the Museum Store Coordinator, whose desk is close to mine. Every morning I look forward to tearing off the page from the previous day and discovering a new piece of artwork or Disney fun fact of the day.
Tell us a little known fact about you!
My greatest passion is dancing. I have trained in ballet since age four, and I have been a dance teacher for several years. I often get distracted by the music and dancing in my head--I have a very active imagination!