Arand receives merit scholarship for piano | KUDOS

Amy Arand, a senior at South Whidbey High School, recently received a merit scholarship to study piano at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, where she will begin this fall.

April 13, 2012 5:53 pm
Merit scholar Amy Arand said she will attend Pacific Lutheran University in the fall.
Merit scholar Amy Arand said she will attend Pacific Lutheran University in the fall.

Amy Arand, a senior at South Whidbey High School, recently received a merit scholarship to study piano at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, where she will begin this fall.

Arand will perform in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15 at Langley United Methodist Church as part of her senior high school graduation project.

Arand, who is also a company member of the Whidbey Island Dance Theatre, plans to major in music and arts education, with a minor in dance.

She has been studying piano since fifth grade, first with Marsha Engel and later with Maureen Girard, with whom she currently studies. She began playing piano with the Langley Middle School jazz band in sixth grade and has played both piano and vibes with the high school jazz band for the past four years under the direction of Chris Harshman. As a junior, she was the accompanist of the high school choir.

“I have been fortunate to study jazz with Maureen, Jessica Foley and Chris Harshman and am thankful for their encouragement,” Arand said.

Arand is the daughter of Paul and Betsy Arand of Langley.