TAMC Legacy XXV

by Warren L. Maye

“I hope that they are closer to Jesus, that they are stronger in their faith, that they feel valued, that they feel like they have a place, that they are His child, that they are loved by Him and others, and I hope that they feel a part of something very important to God.”
—Carol Jaudes

August 8, 2025 — On Friday evening at The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training in Suffern, N.Y., Salvationists celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Territorial Arts Ministries Conservatory (TAMC). Many past attendees and instructors had returned to teach and volunteer, underscoring the program’s strong bond with them. This year’s theme of “Legacy,” symbolized by a rose, was woven into a continuous narrative reflecting TAMC’s journey — and the story of its founder, Carol Jaudes, former Broadway star of Cats, who was guided by God’s divine light.

Two back-to-back performances of the finale, titled The Gardener, mixed exciting and worshipful instrumental and vocal music, documentaries and testimonies, and dazzling choreography, acting, set design, and videography. It was all written, directed, and executed by current delegates and alumni of TAMC.

“TAM Conservatory was formative for me as a young person,” said Territorial Arts Ministries Director Kathryn Higgins, writer, producer, and co-director of TAMC Legacy XXV. In an exclusive interview with Good News, she said that on the opening day of this year’s conservatory, she met with all the instructors and staff and asked, “Show of hands — who was here as a delegate at some point?” Around 80% responded.

“We wanted to bring back some of those folks who were so important and part of the formation of this space,” Higgins said and pointed out how some even took vacations to be involved. “They’re volunteering, juggling family, and working at the same time, but they want to be here. It continues to be a special place.”

Others who were there from the beginning were Becki Philips, a major instructor, and Colonel Janet Munn, who served as this year’s chapel devotional leader. Her messages, based on 2 Timothy 1:13–14, were a significant reminder to the delegates, both young and old.

A spirit-led moment

This year’s theme came to light last year when several people approached Higgins about it. She recalled, “Within 48 hours of the end of that finale, three people approached me separately asking, ‘What do you think about the theme of legacy for next year?’ I thought, ‘Whoa, OK, something is moving here.’ This theme was birthed from a spirit-led moment.”

For Higgins, it’s been interesting to watch as today’s generation comes into TAMC. As far as they know, it seems like TAMC, launched in 2001, has always been around. But Carol Jaudes was the driving force who established the ministry. In 2019, her position as director split into two; Higgins took over the arts, and Jaudes went into special events. Then COVID happened, and everything stopped. And Jaudes would lose a battle with cancer in December 2023.

“When we got back on track, we found that … we have a new generation of delegates post-COVID,” Higgins said. “All they know is what’s been happening in the last couple of years. They don’t know the history, and several don’t know who Carol was, which is shocking given how influential she was and yet remains so present.”

‘The Gardener’

To ensure that Jaudes’ legacy would not be forgotten, this year’s TAMC finale wove her story into an allegory about a master gardener.

“I [keep] returning to the image of the garden light because the character of the gardener always looked to the light and followed where the light was leading,” said Higgins. “That’s so important because this isn’t the ‘Carol Memorial Service,’ as much as it could easily be. It is very much a celebration of what the Lord has done here through a faithful servant and many other faithful servants. If she was here, she would point us back to the Light.

“I can just see her, enjoying the charm of it all. She was never dismissive of praise, but she had a way of acknowledging other people first that made it kind of impossible to give her a compliment. She was always acknowledging the group effort and what other people were giving, and she always pointed back to the Lord. That was special about her; that’s the kind of person she was.”

Cultivating lives

Back in 2001, at the conclusion of the first TAMC finale, Commissioner Joe Noland, then the territorial commander, said, “What you have seen tonight and what you see happening in this territory is something that I have been trying to bring about. But I’ve never been in a position where I had the authority or where I had the resources or where I had the passion to make this happen.” Back then, Noland, now retired, had already created a legacy of his own as an innovative, risk-taking Salvationist, best known for creating the “God Squad,” which made inroads into California’s youth culture. Soon after he got to the Eastern Territory, he said, “the Lord answered my prayer — in Carol Jaudes.”

In a video shown during the finale, several people who’d been involved in the conservatory from the start spoke about its far-reaching impact. Colonel Janet Munn, also retired, reflected on the remarkable journey of Jaudes, who left a successful career on Broadway to work for The Salvation Army and create something entirely new. Munn described this decision as a marvelous expression of divine purpose: “This must be God at work.”

Munn recalled a nurturing environment filled with spiritual hunger and unity at the conservatory, and a collective aspiration to grow together that provided the foundation for fruitfulness. “The corps and the divisions feed into the conservatory,” Munn said, “but then powerful things happen at the conservatory year after year after year, and that overflows back out to the divisions and into the corps. I think the conservatory has become a hotbed of nourishment and creativity and enthusiasm and belonging that overflows throughout the territory.”

Major instructor and script consultant Becki Philips shared her memories of the initial brainstorming sessions, full of excitement and uncertainty as she and Carol dreamed up big plans for the new conservatory. There were logistical concerns and questions about who would come, but Philips said Carol’s organizational skills and character were key in shaping the project. Through her vision and lots of hard work, they created “this beautiful opportunity” for the territory’s youth.

Salvationist Amber Hood, who’d been involved in college theater, spoke about discovering the vibrant community at TAMC, which crackled with what she calls “holy electricity.” This power of art, dedicated to Jesus, profoundly impacted her as an artist. It marked a pivotal moment in her life, where she publicly declared, for the first time, that God made her an artist, helping her embrace her evolving self.

Part of the original TAMC on the technical side (lighting), retired Major Donald Berry reflected on the conservatory’s inclusivity, how it catered to children interested in drama and dance, beyond traditional brass instruments and singing.

When he first attended a TAM finale, Nealson Munn (son of Colonels Janet and Richard Munn) wasn’t a delegate yet, but he was so moved by the performers’ energy and joy that he discovered his own artistic side. The TAMC spirit — combined with Jaudes’ lessons in being prompt, present, and prepared — has helped guide him in his career as a business consultant.

Another TAMC alumnus, Jonathan Shaffstall, described it as a “home” where an impromptu worship night led him to recommit to God. At the conservatory, he learned to value excellence over perfectionism, a principle that inspired him to pursue a theater degree and has informed his work ethic ever since.

Brittany Parks recalled arriving at TAM in her early 20s feeling out of place and insecure. Supportive instructors helped her grow in skill, confidence, and leadership. Now on staff as a children’s outreach ministries coordinator, she treasures the chance to mentor young participants just as she once was, completing a rewarding full-circle journey.

Award presentations

Retired Major Carl “Butch” Ruthberg welcomed attendees to the “garden” of TAMC and honored two key figures in the ministry’s arts programs. He spotlighted his dear wife, the late Hollie Ruthberg, lauding her costume, stage, and set design work for TAMC productions. And he tearfully announced Araya Ward as the recipient of the inaugural Major Hollie Ruthberg Scholarship for excellence in costume design or dance.

Ruthberg also revealed the recipient of the 2025 Carol Jaudes Award, celebrating excellence and always being prompt, present, and prepared: Kyle Solano.

Urging donations to both funds to continue their legacy, Ruthberg closed with a prayer of thanks and praise to God.