By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Feelings play a key role in the creative process for young songwriter Aurora ter Heide.

The 15-year-old pianist from Craik said composing a tune comes much more naturally to her at times of strong emotions, whether she’s happy or unhappy.

“A lot of it is driven by how I’m feeling at the time,” she said Wednesday. “I just sit down and play until something comes.”

Learning that she had won an award from the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association (SRMTA) also generated a strong response.

“My first instinct was to break down,” said ter Heide. “My second one was to jump around and scream.”

A piece written by ter Heide, entitled “The Ferret and the Fox,” was the top entry in the SRMTA Student Composer Competition in the 15-and-under age group, under Class 1. She also won the Adjudicator’s Choice award in the provincial competition.

As a first-place winner, her song will be entered into the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations (CFMTA) Student Composer Competition.

Aurora is the oldest of two children of Wade and Lia ter Heide. She is entering Grade 11 at Craik School this fall.

She began taking piano lessons at the age of seven. Previously taught by Brenda Bowman, she now studies with Sandra Read of Saskatoon.

Aurora said she has been putting together her own songs more or less since she started playing, but began entering them in competitions about four years ago.

For the full story, please see the July 4 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.