Artist of the Month: Anna Olson

by Dalton Raykowski

Co-Managing Editor

May 2022

What arts are you interested in?

I love trying any new types of art that are available to me! But, my main focuses are in choir, theater, photography, and yearbook.

When did you start musical education?

I started music education through my introduction to choir in sixth grade. In sixth grade, I was in the choral ensemble and the auditioned honors choir at McNeel. Since then I have been in various ensembles throughout middle school and high school.

What moment in your life inspired you to pursue an artistic education?

The moment in my life that inspired me to pursue an artistic education occurred when I was in elementary school. I went to Beloit Memorial High School to watch one of their theater performances. It was amazing to see the actors performing on a stage right in front of us. At the end of the performance, we got to ask questions. That was when I noticed that they were students. Students just like me. Students that go to school during the day and go home at night. This showed me that the opportunity to perform on stage could be available to me, a simple student in Beloit, Wisconsin.

As you are a graduating senior, what are your plans for next year? What college are you planning to attend?

I am planning to attend the University of Wisconsin Whitewater on a Performing Arts Theatre Scholarship. I will be majoring in the performing arts through theater and choir.

Do you have any goals with your music? Any big plans you hope to achieve?

By majoring in the performing arts I will help others to find their voice, and give a voice to the stories of others. Whether this is through my performances or the lessons I teach to other performers. I will become a performing arts teacher. I want our next generations to have a musical presence and connection in their lives. With an environment filled with support, understanding, and inclusion for all students. A space for students to understand their emotions, share their thoughts and feelings, and experiment and imagine new things.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome with art? Do you have any tips on how you persevered?

The hardest obstacle for me in the performing arts was first learning how to project. You have to project in order for the audience to hear your message. I was never a loud person, I was always quiet. Theater helped me to come out of my shell and allowed me to develop a connection to the messages we shared through our performance. Through this connection I gained the strength and confidence to be louder, to truly put myself out there, and to develop a deep connection to my performance.

Is there any advice you may have for aspiring artists?

Always be willing to look at your art from another perspective. Just because you originally see something one way, doesn’t mean you cannot see it another way. We are not always going to have the same view as someone else due to our past experiences, but we cannot stay stuck in one view. We must be willing to change and see new possibilities. Art is seeing and connecting to the messages of a piece, through seeing the different perspectives of others.