artistspot Andrea Bodholdt

Age: 35 • Hometown: Fort Dodge • Instrument: Piano/Vocal/Organ

Who has the greatest influence on you musically?

The two people that really encouraged me and taught me to pursue my passion in music include Joellen Brightman and Kathleen Schreier. There are so many people to include in the last 25 years.

If you had a chance to meet any performer/ musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose?

Never thought about it. I have no idea.

What are some of your musical accomplishments?

Music was my first job. I loved it and played piano all the time. I have played for many funerals and weddings. I don’t think I have missed any more than two Sundays a year in the last 23 years. I have played for services in four different denominations. I have held many piano/music recitals in all kinds of venues for my students. We have really had a fun time.

How did you first become interested in making music?

My mom started teaching me to play the piano when I was in kindergarten. I started lessons with a teacher the next year. In high school, I became interested in taking organ lessons from Kathleen Schreier and throughout the rest of my college years. I also started vocal lessons in college and earned my BA in Vocal Performance.

How long have you been performing/teaching?

I was asked to play for the St. Paul Saturday night church service when I was 12 years old. I have played for a church ever since. I started teaching piano lessons in 2004 and have been teaching piano lessons ever since. I have also added vocal and organ lessons.

Tell us about a couple of your most memorable piano recital experiences.

My first recital was the most memorable since I had no idea what a recital was. I was very shy and when my teacher asked if I would like to play a certain song, I said yes even though I did not like the song at all. I had no idea I could ask if I could play my favorite song. So, lesson

In the early years, my mom and I often played duets together at the Villa Care Center since we had an adopted grandma there. I remember one lady in particular during one of our piano visits, pretty perturbed that we were making her miss her afternoon tv program. Not sure if they had TVs in their rooms, but there was one in the room next to the piano where we were playing. I think she called war on our music. We could hear the volume get louder, so we giggled and played a little louder. Other residents (and staff) were asking her to turn the TV back down. I can’t remember who won that round.

Fast forward a few years, adding much more experience. We had a music recital at the old Thompson Friendship Haven center. That was rewarding because we had a room of residents who were eager to see and hear young students perform. Not only did I play my solo piano pieces, but I also played a few pieces in a trio with a violin and cello. That was the first time I played with any other instruments. A whole new exciting world opened up to me!

I used to play keyboard and sing in a classic rock band the first two years of college. Then another blues/rock band a few years later. At one point, I would play with the band at a bar or event Saturday evening until 2am, go home and sleep and play one or two services Sunday morning. It was never boring!

Tell us about your educational background with music.

I went to ICCC and took music theory, vocal lessons, and participated in jazz, concert band and choir for two years. Those were great years of learning, making friends and memories!

I finished my degree at BVU taking most of the classes needed to be a music teacher. I drove from my house in Fort Dodge for two years to Storm Lake. I still needed to do student teaching, but after getting my BA in vocal performance, I thought I would finish that part in Fort Dodge. I was asked if I would consider teaching music/ choir at Community Christian School. I wasn’t sure about it, but decided I would give it a try. I enjoyed my time teaching the kids and being part of the staff for 5 years.

I encourage them to set a routine for practicing. Just like eating and sleeping, we need a routine so we can evaluate our progress and be encouraged by how far we have come.

What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and performing?

Hm. Hardest lesson – no matter how hard you practice or rehearse, something will be “out of the ordinary” when its time to perform. You can only learn how to overcome or get through that during the performance. That is one thing you cannot practice, but the practice itself comes from performing enough so you can expect those unexpected out-of-the ordinary things. Nerves. Sweaty hands. Dry mouth. A little breeze that sweeps the music off the piano. A sticky piano key that won’t play. A bench that isn’t that right height. Someone holding a microphone for you instead of in a stand. Someone standing over your shoulder holding up the music. Your hands being ice cold. A music stand that is busted and can barely hold up your music. A binder too big for the keyboard stand. Not enough light to see the music or the sun shining so bright on the music that you have to lean to the left in order to see thru the glare.