Scout Katz started violin at Orcas Elementary just last September and is already playing beautiful scales. “I feel like I’m getting quite a bit better, not as screechy,” she says, “| like when you hit that perfect note and it makes the perfect sound.” Scout has been honored as the Music Student of the Month for April by Strings Director Pamela Wright. Mrs. Wright explains, “Scout, as a beginner, is eager to learn and it shows that she takes her instrument home and practices there as well. I greatly appreciate her great attitude in class and hope that she will stick with it!”
Scout said she feels supported in Mrs. Wright’s class, for example, “getting help with the bow hold and through each step of playing each song.” Before picking up the violin, Scout was also interested in playing the cello and tried out the viola, but is very happy with the violin. “I like the feeling of when I’m playing music, it’s fun,” she added. “Music is one of my favorite subjects along with Art and Math.” In addition to enjoying the school music program, Scout makes sure to participate in the school’s indoor roller-skating events every other Saturday.
Congratulations to Scout Katz, April 2026 Music Student of the Month!
The Music Student of the Month series recognizes Orcas Island Public School musicians who work hard at their musical skills and whose love of music is an inspiration to their fellow student musicians. Thank you so much to the Orcas Island businesses who are sponsoring this monthly series throughout the 2025-26 school year that recognizes the efforts of student musicians and the value of school music!
–as published in Islands’ Sounder April 2026