Many people on Whidbey Island have heard Maureen Girard play piano, and many have taken piano lessons from her. Her path to her professional life began when she was a young girl growing up in New York. Her uncle was a vaudevillian performer and stage manager at Caesars Palace who passed down a legacy of music and showmanship to Maureen. She says, “Music coursed through my veins, just as it did his, and started me on my path to where I am today.”
Her original piano was destroyed in a move, but her determination persisted. She found another piano, and began pursuing her dream of becoming a professional musician.
Her dream got a huge boost when she auditioned to perform on a cruise ship, and was hired for an expedition to the Northwest Passage. After the ship became trapped in the Arctic sea ice, the passengers escaped with the help of the ship’s doctor and a bush pilot.
Following this rather scary beginning, she began her career as a nightclub performer, and then transitioned to becoming a successful concert pianist and a beloved piano teacher. She had a 15-year career as a nightclub performer before deciding to focus her energy on teaching, as well as performing.
Today she notes that she has taught over 1,200 students in her renowned piano studio and performance space in Langley. She also has become a well-established local celebrity after 40 years living on Whidbey.
She is pleased with her skills to not only encourage her students’ musical talents, but also to help them build their confidence and creativity. She has received many heartfelt notes from her students thanking her for her teaching abilities and their shared times together.
Now, her talents are leading Maureen on a new path…as an author. She has just published her memoire, “The Arctic Sonata” that shares several stories from her beginnings as a young piano student to her current reputation as a performer and a teacher.
She notes: “I hope my story will inspire others to embrace their dreams, face adversity with grace and use creativity as a beacon of hope and renewal.
A review from author Gene Brown (“Asano no Katana” – Sword of Asano) states: “Girard’s journey is sometimes perilous, often humorous, and always inspiring. She dodges lecherous men and even polar bears. Told with guts and wit, “The Arctic Sonata: The Courage to Rise” is a real-life story of resilience that will keep you captivated from start to finish.”
Her memoire is being released on Amazon and other major platforms and will be available at Moonraker and Kingfisher book stores on Whidbey beginning June 10th.
You can visit Maureen on her Facebook page and at www.facebook.com/authormaureengirard and Instagram: @authormaureengirard.
