Piano is the feature instrument this week as the 12th annual Shuswap Music Festival continues.At 19, Joseph Dansereau has been practising for his appearance in the festival. He says, with a laugh that he should have been at the piano for about three or four hours a day.But there are other things he needs to do – the written part of the Royal Conservatory of Canada’s associate program, something he hopes to have completed by Christmas.Dansereau began playing when he was 10, picking it up easily and continuing because so many people told him how well he played.While he’s determined to get associate status, the 19-year-old has not yet determined how music will figure into his career plans.“I get extremely nervous before I perform,” says the young man who is a student of Marjorie Duncan and regularly plays at St. Joseph’s Church.Sponsored by the BC Registered Music Teachers Association and the Rotary Clubs of Salmon Arm, the event has attracted more than 450 entrants in musical genres ranging from classical piano and strings to jazz bands, and musical theatre, to men’s choirs. The festival culminates with the “Night of Stars,” a gala that features the winners of this year’s competition. This celebration takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, April 27 at First United Church.

Salmon Arm Observer