Artist Series: The Life and Hymns of Fanny Crosby

At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, October 11, 2011 Melissa Cancel and the CCC Cantorum will present the life and music of famed hymnwriter and poet, Fanny Crosby. The artist series event will be performed on the main stage in the gymnasium.

Fanny Crosby was born in 1806 in Putnam County, New York. Due to an early childhood illness, she lost her sight and remained blind until her death in 1915. At the age of 8, Miss Crosby penned her first poem about her blindness:

"Oh, what a happy soul I am,
though I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don't,
To weep and sigh because I'm blind
I cannot, and I won't!"

Dr. Melissa Cancel, associate professor of speech communication, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from CCC, a master of arts in communication from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in communication from the University of South Florida. She teaches a variety of communication courses at CCC, including acting, communication theory, the fundamentals of communication, and oral interpretation. An avid writer and communicator, Dr. Cancel has appeared in several publications and has presented papers at the National Communication Association.

Please join us for an evening of inspiration, music, and drama as Dr. Cancel brings us into the world of Fanny Crosby through her dramatic interpretation. Tickets go on sale September 6, 2011 at $10 general admission, $8 seniors, students, military, alumni. Contact the box office at 727-726-1153 ext. 0 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for more information.