Spring 2013

Hannie McGarity is a junior at Bellingham High School. She takes pride in her school work, and challenged herself this year with AP Biology and AP Calculus. She spends time playing music, playing volleyball, enjoying the sun when it decides to make an appearance, and finding new recipes to bake. Music has been the most important part of her life not only because of the joy it brings her, but because she has made some of the most amazing friends in orchestra.

Hannie began violin through Columbia Elementary’s 5th grade strings program with Mark Schlichting. Since then she has studied with Rodger Alexander, Kathy Diaz, Nick Strobel, Grant Donnellan, and her current teacher, Walter Schwede. Hannie has played with North Sound for six years.

Hannie has enjoyed other musical opportunities such as playing in pit orchestras for theater, All-State, solo/ensemble contests, and Marrowstone Summer Music Festival have allowed her to work with both friends and respected coaches. She is concertmistress of the Bellingham High School Chamber Orchestra, which was selected to compete at the Washington State Solo & Ensemble competitions this April. Hannie’s piano/string quartet was honored with 1st place in the state competition – “State Champions!” – a first for Bellingham High School.

Hannie does not yet know where she would like to attend college, but she knows she will study music and hopefully human nutrition and physiology. She would like to thank her grandmother, who purchased her violin, and her family and friends for the endless support they have given her.