Betsy Tietze

As a restless four-year-old, senior Betsy Tietze hated learning the piano. She suffered through intolerable lessons imposed by her parents, sitting still and focusing on which small finger went on which key. After finding herself bored of the piano, Tietze struck an agreement with her mom and dad that allowed her to switch to trumpet lessons, and she hasn’t stopped playing since.

Tietze is attending Loyola University in New Orleans to specialize in classical trumpet performance and hopes to partake in a symphonic band as a future career. Performing is a giving process between the musician and the audience for Tietze––one of the main reasons for her dedication to music.

“A lot of the stuff that we do is selfish. A lot of people get jobs to pay for financial things, but with music and art, it’s not really for you. It’s for the listener,” Tietze said. “I’ve heard stories about classical pieces written in a time of somebody’s life where they were going through something hard and then somebody in the audience comes up to the composer and tells them about how it reminded [the person] of themselves. There’s a lot of connection you can have without words. It’s really powerful.”

Aidan Reese

It takes commitment to be the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of a band while still in high school, but Marin School of the Arts senior Aidan Reese is eager to rise to the occasion. As an extension of his fervor, he will be pursuing music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall.

Drawing inspiration from alt-rock artists such as Mac DeMarco and The Growlers, Reese explores his musical talent alongside his band, The Inbetweens. As a former Redwood student, he continues to make his mark on the Tam District’s music scene by performing at local venues such as the American Legion Post 313. He describes his three-person band as indie-alternative.

“When I first played music for people, I felt this connection performing on stage. Providing a service for the people who are paying attention to you by entertaining them with music––it’s super satisfying, it gives you a rush,” Reese said.