The Pianist and Teacher

    By: Laurel Kraus

   Music has been a part of Karen Hagerty for almost her entire life. Organ was her primary instrument all through high school, but once she enrolled in Western Michigan University she became greatly involved with the piano. In 1980 she became a music therapist.

“Music therapy is basically using music to enhance life,” Hagerty said.

Hagerty has worked in the Fraser district for 19 years and has been the teacher of the Piano Studies Class here at FHS since it began. The class started up in the fall of 2008 and has been such an amazing success that there’s even a waiting list to get in.

Piano Studies is a class that enables students to begin or continue studies in piano. Each class holds a variety of students, from kids with no experience to others who are looking at a possible career in music.

“About 70 percent of students have never played before so we focus kids to move forward regardless of where they started,” Hagerty said.

Piano Studies holds kids from the football team to kids from the drama club to kids who aren’t in much of anything. No matter what, there is a place for everyone.

“Music is a universal language and so the purpose of this class is to nurture the love of it,” Hagerty said.

Hagerty has done so much in her life, yet she considers her greatest achievement to be a personal one rather than an honor she received.

“I believe my greatest achievement is coming into class and being able to share the love of music with my students,” Hagerty said.

Overall, Hagerty remarked that she feels blessed to come into work, each and every day.