Nicole Swanson, who holds the title of Miss Minnesota 2006, made an appearance at Park Center on April 10, 2007. We were fortunate enough to have Nicole come to Park Center by the request from Ms. Mary Gagnon, PCSH orchestra teacher. A colleague of Ms. Gagnon knew Nicole from working with Northern Symphony Orchestra and suggested that she contact Nicole.

I asked Ms. Gagnon she was hoping to accomplish by having Miss Minnesota come to Park Center. Ms. Gagnon: “This artist residency will provide string and orchestra students with an exciting opportunity to interact with an excellent professional musician who is also famous locally and nationally as Miss Minnesota 2006. Nicole Swanson is a good role model for students from a musical, academic, and personal standpoint – she is a fine musician, an excellent student, and a representative of Minnesota on the national stage. Students will have the chance to hear a performance by Ms. Swanson, be taught by her, and perform with her. They will be exposed to teaching and playing at a very high level. This will help open the students’ minds to what is possible, what they can dream and what they can become.”

After the string and orchestra students arrived in the auditorium for their 4th hour class, Nicole introduced herself by playing a song. She and the students then had a discussion about how music is universal. Three students performed a solo for their classmates and Nicole gave them tips that would enhance their playing. Hopefully many orchestra students will take the experience of Miss Minnesota’s teachings and performances and turn it into positive aspects of their lives.

Well-known nationally and locally, Nicole Swanson is a 23 year old who hails from Lakeville, Minnesota and also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the U of M. She started playing the violin and viola at a very young age when most of us are just mastering our ABC’s. She won “non-finalist – talent” at this years’ Miss America pageant. Not only is she musically talented, but Nicole also an academic scholar. How does one achieve such success? Let's ask Miss Minnesota herself...

Q: Did you compete in other pageants prior to winning Miss Minnesota 2006?
NS: I was Minnesota's Junior Miss in 2001 (as a senior in high school). The emphasis in that program was, and still is, talent and scholastics.

Q: "Music is Instrumental" is your platform. What exactly is a platform?
NS: In the Miss America system, all titleholders are required to have a platform: a social cause to which they are devoted. This year at Miss America, platforms included global warming awareness, character education, and anti-bullying, among others. Being Miss Minnesota has opened many doors for me to speak and perform on behalf of music education.

Q: Why is the education of music important to you?
NS: I grew up surrounded by music and started violin lessons as a 4-year-old. My life has been profoundly affected by my musical adventures; I have friends around the world and have traveled to a variety of places because of music. Beyond that, music education has been linked to high academic performance and strong emotional health - two things that are extremely important to succeed in today's world!

Q: You graduated as valedictorian of your high school class. How did you balance schoolwork and music?
NS: It's just that: a balance. It's not easy to make everything fit, but it comes down to deciding what's important in the long run. Also, I've always been more concerned with quality and not quantity, and that has applied to my study habits as well as my practicing. Short, focused intervals work well for me.

Slideshow image
Pictures from 4th Hour
After passing on the crown to the next Miss Minnesota, Nicole will seek a Master of Music and a career as a professional violist. If you missed her appearance on April 10th, you can catch her perform a viola solo with the Park Center Orchestra on their final concert of the year on Thursday, May 17th at 7:30 PM @ PC.

-Maria Pham, PCSH Webteam