Playing the piano has been a passion for local Meagan Milatz ever since she first took to the ivory keys at the age of five.
Playing the piano has been a passion for local Meagan Milatz ever since she first took to the ivory keys at the age of five. Now in her final year of high school at the Weyburn Comp, Meagan is one of Canada's top young pianists who has earned provincial and national achievements.
That talent and passion will be displayed at the Comp Cafetorium on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m., for one of the Weyburn Concert Series "Stars For Saskatchewan" season.
"There will be a few different styles," said Milatz regarding her repertoire for the concert. "I will be doing a piece by Beethoven, and a Clair de Lune by Debussy, as well as a Chopin virtuoso piece, and a concerto with Cherith Alexander."
It was under Alexander that Milatz learned how to play, and was introduced to the art form by parents Paul and Brenda Milatz. "My sister Danica had taken lessons from Cherith a few years before I did, and my parents really encouraged me."
Through competition, Meagan has earned the right to represent Saskatchewan at the national level, and placed second at the National Music Festival in 2009. She has also played with the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra in Quebec in 2007, and during the summer of 2009 was a member of the Morningside Music Bridge program in Gdansk, Poland.
"You have to be mentally prepared for (performing) beforehand, and I just try to not let my mind wander," said Meagan.
It also takes a lot of preparation for Milatz to memorize the piece so she can perform without the need for music. Meagan said this was because, "After I have played the piece so many times, and have learned it, it just comes easily."
According to Cherith, in the 20 years that she has taught piano, she noted that memorizing music doesn't come easily for every pianist. "Meagan is one of those once-in-a-lifetime students. Not everyone knows that she is one of the top high school pianists in the country. The fact that she has done what she has is just amazing."
Meagan and Cherith both noted that there is a respected tradition of piano teachers and students that is carried on in the community of Weyburn. "All the adjudicators that come to the Weyburn Rotary Music Festival talk about the very high calibre of the piano students in Weyburn," said Alexander. "Meagan is one example of that strong group of pianists."
Heading to the future, Meagan wants to get her Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance. She will be attending three different auditions this year before determining which post-secondary school she will attend.
