Madeline Hildebrand's most recent memory of Squamish was at the first-ever Howe Sound Music Festival back in 2001.
Her parents were the adjudicators for the event and she still vividly remembers the festival and the passion that Squamish residents have for performing.
Fast-forward to 2012 and Hildebrand will be the one at the front of the stage when she performs at the St. John The Divine Anglican Church on Sunday, Feb. 26, and she hopes to inspire a new generation of kids the same way she was inspired in Squamish more than a decade ago.
But it wasn't a simple path to being on the stage. Hildebrand admitted she was pushed a little toward performing but she eventually grew to love the piano.
"I'm one of those situations where I started when I was five and I guess it wasn't really my choice," she said. "But I'm very grateful that I was pushed because once I started to get into the real music, around 13 or 14, something sparked inside of me and I started practicing by myself. I didn't have to be pushed anymore and it went from there and I haven't looked back."
Hildebrand grew up in Steinbach, Man., then moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance in 2010. Along the way, she performed in several notable festivals and represented Canada at the Eastern European Cultural Arts Festival in Romania.
"The summer in 2007 when I travelled to Romania was a really amazing experience," she said. "I represented Canada in the classical music division at the festival and I presented my program to them. It was a great experience."
This past summer Hildebrand was invited to summer festivals in Banff, Alta., and Orford, Que. to learn under several renowned pianists and connect with other young talents.
"This summer was very special for me," she said. "I got to meet some outstanding young pianists from all over the world in both Banff and Orford. It's really a small world in classical music and it's interesting getting to know everyone and seeing familiar faces."
Hildebrand is still a student, as she's finishing up her Masters of Music at the University of British Columbia. She's months away from completing the program and said it's been a lot of work.
"I spend long hours in the practice rooms at U小蓝视频," she said. "A typical day is getting up at 9 a.m. and practicing until you're tired or you need to go home."
She said the most important part of her degree is the piano lessons; there is pressure in performing pieces to perfection, she said. For her final exam in May, she needs to present a 70-minute solo program, which will be identical to what she plays when she comes to Squamish.
"Coming to Squamish will be a very good exercise for me because I get a chance to run my program before I get graded on it," she said.
In addition to the performance on Feb. 26, Hildebrand will also conduct a masters class for Sea to Sky pianists.
"There's room for eight pianists of all different levels and we listen to each other play and I then get a chance to work with each student individually," she said. "We'll soak in all the music, discuss technique and interpretation. It's going to be a great experience for the young pianists."
Hildebrand's show will consist of a mixture of contemporary and classic pieces and begins at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $15 and are available at Billie's Bouquet Flower House or at the door. For more information on the show, visit www.howesoundarts.ca.
