Annalee Hiebert, a pianist in the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts is earning her music education and piano performance degrees with the intent to become a band teacher.
Annalee Hiebert
By Quinn Keller, CLA Student Writer - October 9, 2024
Undergraduate student Annalee Hiebert has been following her passions ever since childhood. At eight years old, she began playing piano, encouraged by her mom and thinking that it may be a nice hobby. Now, Hiebert is majoring in music education and piano performance at the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts (SVPDA).
Growing up on a small farm outside of Corvallis, Hiebert didn’t think her weekly piano lessons as a young girl would turn into much more, but two years after she started, she would never stop playing.
“After a year I wanted to give up, but my teacher and mom had made an agreement that I would take lessons for two years before deciding to continue or not ,” Hiebert said. “During the first year, I was frustrated with how long the learning process took and I didn't sound how I wanted. I’ve been playing now for 14 years.”
After Hiebert’s love for piano was kindled by her piano teacher, Linda Hansen, it was a transformative middle school music teacher that Hiebert recognizes influenced her decision to pursue music education at OSU. Hiebert described herself as a shy student at Philomath Middle School, but Diane Crocker, the school’s music leader, helped Hiebert find her voice through music.
“Mrs. Crocker was a very engaging person to be around and she created a safe space within her classroom,” Hiebert explained. “I want to create that for future students in my classroom, where they can speak and build confidence through their performance.”
Hiebert credits many exceptional teachers throughout her education who have inspired her and served as role models, something she’lll always be grateful for.
Now a junior at OSU, Hiebert specializes in classical music and performs in SVPDA’s Wind Ensemble. As part of the music education program, Hiebert will be placed at Memorial Middle School in Albany next year to gain student-teaching experience. After she graduates, Hiebert will be able to begin teaching full-time with her degree.
“The hardest part is figuring out how to teach music,” Hiebert explained. “I’ve been learning music for 14 years and I need to think back on what it’s like to start from square one again.”
While not playing piano or learning how to teach music, Hiebert makes time for her other passion born from childhood, riding horses and mules. Hiebert fell in love with horses as a young child and purchased her first horse when she was 15. With help from a neighbor, she was introduced to riding mules as well, including recently returning from a competition in Bishop, CA, where she earned world championships in several divisions.
“I love doing it,” Hiebert said. “I have two main passions, and that's music, and horses and mules. You don't find a lot of people who are interested in that combination. The music is very expressive, and almost analytical for me. The mule and horse riding offers an opportunity to connect with nature, clear my head at the end of the day, and create a special bond. I love that duality.”
