A Full-Circle Story in the Cherry Blossoms

Many years ago, while teaching musical theatre summer school at the Port Moody Arts Centre (My family's Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts), I made a special connection with two remarkable sisters: Amanda and Melissa Assalone.

They were young students then—full of spunk, energy, talent, and big dreams. The cherry on top with these two wonderful teens was their character: grounded, kind, and truly salt-of-the-earth humans, not ego-driven. 

Over the years, naturally, Amanda and Melissa became beloved teachers at Lindbjerg Academy, helping build the strong community it is today (thank you Chad for carrying the Lindbjerg Torch for almost 2 more decades).

Now, the little girls in these photos are their daughters. They are cousins growing up together, with the same sparkle, joy, and spirit their mothers had all those years ago. Watching them play beneath the cherry blossoms felt like stepping back in time.

As I stood behind the camera, I found myself almost choking up as I reflected on how quickly time passes and how precious it is to see friendship, family, music, and community through generations. 

Adding another beautiful layer to this story, my mom, Elaine Lindbjerg, recently began teaching piano lessons to a grandmother-and-granddaughter team: Anna Assalone and her granddaughter. The idea for this photo session came from Nonna Anna herself:

"I would love photos of my granddaughters in the cherry blossoms."

It is amazing to watch the journey of time through my lens. From students, to teachers, to mothers, to grandmothers—and now to these beautiful young girls beginning their own journeys.