Graduating Music Education Student Anna Shepherd Answers Questions About Her Time at BYU
Q: What is your favorite project you've worked on as a student?
Shepherd: One of my favorite projects was putting together a music video for the BYU Tangents Quartet in Laie, Hawaii. We recorded the piece “Ku-ka-ilimoku” by Christopher Rouse. It was so cool to get to experience being in a recording studio, and to have the experience of filming a music video on a set location. We also got to perform a clinic at BYU-Hawaii for the collegiate percussionists there. It was an incredible experience!
Q: How have the arts helped you grow spiritually?
Shepherd: I’ve learned how to rely on my Savior more, especially when encountering hard challenges within the arts world. Preparing for a recital required my full trust and reliance on Him to show me how to best prepare and to consecrate my performance to Him. I’ve also had the unique opportunity to share the light of the gospel through music in different situations, such as going on a BYU Wind Symphony tour and attending an international marimba academy in Poland. In all of these experiences, my testimony of the Savior has grown as I’ve learned how to invite Him into all aspects of my life and call upon Him for help and guidance.
Q: What initially drew you to the world of music?
Shepherd: My childhood was very musical. All the kids in my family took piano lessons, but I was always drawn to music in large part because of my dad. He’s an incredible pianist and often filled our home with beautiful music when I was a kid. My parents have been my biggest supporters in pursuing a music career.
Q: What was your favorite class that you've taken at BYU?
Shepherd: There have been so many classes that I’ve loved, but being in the ensembles has really impacted me — especially playing in the BYU Tangents Quartet. I became very close with the members of that ensemble and the professors who helped run it. It was such a rewarding experience to perform high level repertoire, to film music videos, and do outreach projects at local high schools to encourage young percussionists to pursue collegiate percussion. It’s been a highlight of my college experience.
Q: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Shepherd: I actually was dead-set on being a veterinarian since I love animals, but I learned that I would not have the stomach to do any kind of surgery. I also was briefly interested in becoming a paleontologist.