College: Northwestern
Major: Music Performance
Elizabeth Myers’ love of music began in first grade when she learned the piano. By fifth grade, she had picked up the clarinet, and by her sophomore year of high school, she realized she wanted to pursue music professionally.
Sophomore year, Myers’ music career had skyrocketed. She got into youth orchestra and all-state–the creme de la creme of high school band. This furthered her dream of performing for a living.
“I was first overall bassoon [in all-state] this year,” Myers said. “I’ve also been able to get some substitute work with community orchestras.”
Rebecca Friesen is the head band director at KHS. She has been in the district for more than a decade, this being her last year.
“She’s a phenomenal musician who works hard,” Friesen said. “She’s talented but most of it comes from hard work.”
Friesen taught Myers into her senior year with Jeffery Panhorst, assistant band director. The two tutored Myers from novice clarinet to beyond college-level bassooning.
“I met her when I taught her in fifth grade,” Friesen said. “[It was] pretty cool to see her go from playing simple Hot Cross Buns to playing with the Saint Louis Youth Symphony, it’s incredible.”
Friesen said she never saw Myers burn out or lose momentum with her music career. Myers is always perfecting the craft.
“It’s in her soul, It’s just part of her, I don’t know if she would ever get sick of it,” Friesen said. “She started clarinet and has taken off ever since.”
Emily Royalty, sophomore, is alternate bassoon for the all-state band. Myers had once mentored Royalty in eighth grade, and she is now going down the same path as Myers.
“She’s nice and friendly,” Royalty said. “It’s helpful to play with her because it helps me improve [too.]”
According to Royalty, Myers’s talent is what she strives for. Friesen said Myers has a passion for music few possess.
“It’s important to remind yourself why you do it,” Myers said. “It’s so easy to get burnt out, [you have to] remember progress isn’t always linear and you’re not always going to win everything.”
