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Alaskan Teen Marches to a Different Beat
WASILLA, AK (May 25, 2005) - When 16-year-old Katelynn Heasley first began
practicing drums in the fourth grade, the experience wasn't always a
pleasant one for her parents. "It was painful," admits her mother, Joy.
"The first few years of practicing the drums were not the most
rhythmic," says her father, Butch.
It's no longer painful and the teenager's improvement in keeping a
rhythm has been noticed by many across the country. She soon will spend
six weeks at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, one of the
nation's premier arts camps for youth. "It's the Julliard for
teenagers," Butch says.
"I'm excited, but I'm also nervous," says Katelynn, who attends Mat-Su
Covenant Church. "I don't know what to expect." Katelynn does have
expectations, however. "It should be a real growth experience," she says.
Katelynn, has expanded her skills to different percussion instruments,
including the marimba. She spent all of last fall and early winter
preparing to send a CD of her music to judges and learned of her
acceptance in April.
The extensive practice that regularly spans 20-24 hours a week, not
including performing with several music teams, did take a physical toll,
however. She is undergoing physical therapy to help with her hands,
which experienced pain as a result of one difficult piece. Two drumming
techniques in particular caused problems for her nerves. However, she
praises the physical therapist who came to a concert to watch her play
and made suggestions about her playing style that has helped her recovery.
Katelynn performs with the University of Alaska Anchorage Percussion
Team, the church's worship team, and Rhythm of Life and Carry the Cure
groups. Carry the Cure is a suicide prevention ministry that uses music
in schools and villages to spread its message.
Katelynn is the only high school student that travels with the ministry,
which is made up primarily of young adults. They have helped mentor the
teenager musically and spiritually. "I joined the group after CHIC,"
Katelynn says. "It was really nice because I had a life-changing
experience at CHIC.
"I started growing in music, and it's been more of a stretch," Katelynn
continued. "The experience also has encouraged her. "It's reinforced my
faith," she says. The suicide rate is high in the villages, but it is
believed the ministry has helped reduce that number. "To see the healing
that takes place is amazing," she says.
The leader of the group is Bill Pagarran, who has a history of
developing young musicians. Of eight percussionists honored in a
regional contest, six were taught by Pagarran. "He's really helped her
grow," Joy says. She now also plays for the youth group's music team,
Rhythm of Life. "She's an outstanding musician," says Pastor Tom
Luchsinger. "She's an outstanding kid."
And what of her longer-term goals? She hopes some day to play for the
elite U.S. Marine Corps band - "The President's Own."
(Editor's note: The accompany photograph was taken by Casey Ressler,
a photographer for the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, and is used
with permission.)
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
