Covenant News

Alaskan Teen Marches to a Different Beat

WASILLA, AK (May 25, 2005) - When 16-year-old Katelynn Heasley first began practicing drums in the fourth grade, the experience wasn't always a pleasant one for her parents. "It was painful," admits her mother, Joy. "The first few years of practicing the drums were not the most rhythmic," says her father, Butch.

It's no longer painful and the teenager's improvement in keeping a rhythm has been noticed by many across the country. She soon will spend six weeks at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, one of the nation's premier arts camps for youth. "It's the Julliard for teenagers," Butch says.

"I'm excited, but I'm also nervous," says Katelynn, who attends Mat-Su Covenant Church. "I don't know what to expect." Katelynn does have expectations, however. "It should be a real growth experience," she says.

Katelynn, has expanded her skills to different percussion instruments, including the marimba. She spent all of last fall and early winter preparing to send a CD of her music to judges and learned of her acceptance in April.

The extensive practice that regularly spans 20-24 hours a week, not including performing with several music teams, did take a physical toll, however. She is undergoing physical therapy to help with her hands, which experienced pain as a result of one difficult piece. Two drumming techniques in particular caused problems for her nerves. However, she praises the physical therapist who came to a concert to watch her play and made suggestions about her playing style that has helped her recovery.

Katelynn performs with the University of Alaska Anchorage Percussion Team, the church's worship team, and Rhythm of Life and Carry the Cure groups. Carry the Cure is a suicide prevention ministry that uses music in schools and villages to spread its message.

Katelynn is the only high school student that travels with the ministry, which is made up primarily of young adults. They have helped mentor the teenager musically and spiritually. "I joined the group after CHIC," Katelynn says. "It was really nice because I had a life-changing experience at CHIC.

"I started growing in music, and it's been more of a stretch," Katelynn continued. "The experience also has encouraged her. "It's reinforced my faith," she says. The suicide rate is high in the villages, but it is believed the ministry has helped reduce that number. "To see the healing that takes place is amazing," she says.

The leader of the group is Bill Pagarran, who has a history of developing young musicians. Of eight percussionists honored in a regional contest, six were taught by Pagarran. "He's really helped her grow," Joy says. She now also plays for the youth group's music team, Rhythm of Life. "She's an outstanding musician," says Pastor Tom Luchsinger. "She's an outstanding kid."

And what of her longer-term goals? She hopes some day to play for the elite U.S. Marine Corps band - "The President's Own."

(Editor's note: The accompany photograph was taken by Casey Ressler, a photographer for the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, and is used with permission.)

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