Klebe has life-long love of music
MINOT, N.D. – Growing up in Minot, Megan Klebe has always felt as though Minot State University has been a part of her life.
“I was drawn to Minot State for the people,” said Klebe. “Having been in Minot my whole life it was comforting to me to have a strong relationship with my professors before my freshman year.”
Now, as a student at Minot State, Klebe is majoring in music education, and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, a professional association that represents and champions music education in every classroom. Before college, Klebe had spent 10 years as a member of the Western Plains Children’s Choir, where she also picked up her interest in music.
“I had my first foray into music outside of my general music education in third grade when I joined the Western Plains Children’s choir, an organization under the Western Plains Opera that has three choral ensembles that range from grades 3-12,” she said. “I was a part of that group for all 10 years! But I think I truly fell in love with the idea of teaching music as I progressed through my years in the wind band at Minot High.”
Along with her interest in music and performing arts, Klebe has also played the trumpet for many years.
“One day in fourth grade, a local music store came to my elementary school and had everyone in my grade try out mouthpieces of all kinds of band instruments,” said Klebe, “I was told that either trumpet or horn would work really well for my natural lip shape. I then went home and proceeded to do a bunch of research on both instruments. I remember very clearly that the Wikipedia page for the horn said one needs a very musical ear to play the horn. I was intimidated by that a bit, so I went with the trumpet. Years later, I now can play both instruments.”
After 10 years of the Western Plains Children's choir and her interest in music, Klebe is now a member of the Western Plains Opera. She has worked as assistant stage manager for “Barber of Seville” in 2018, stage manager for “Into the Woods” in 2019, and in 2020 she was the Dew Fairy for Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.” She will be performing as Amahl, in the upcoming, “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”
“Amahl is a young boy who has a physical disability where he can’t walk, but he doesn’t let this stem his creative mind and his affinity for being a trickster,” Klebe said. “This can be much to the chagrin of his single mother who is trying her best to raise her child with no money or food. We begin the opera on a night where the sky is alit with the Star of Bethlehem announcing the birth of the Christ child.”
The Minot Symphony Orchestra and Western Plains Opera will present Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. Tickets start at $25 for adults with senior and student discounts available. Tickets are available at www.minotsymphony.com or through the box office at 701-858-4228. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
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Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 11/24/21 |
