Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative reports that Quincy local Tristan McMichael’s rural roots have shaped his dream to pursue music education.
Like many cooperatives throughout the country, PSREC serves a rural demographic. Lumber prices, crop and livestock yields, seasonal recreational tourism, and the day-to-day operations of anchor institutions are the primary drivers of the local economy. For children growing up in rural towns such as those within the cooperative’s footprint, it may seem as if educational and professional career paths are limited and even predetermined in some cases, said PSREC. But for one local, nothing could be further from the truth.
Tristan McMichael was raised in Quincy and knew from a young age his path would be unique.
“I fell in love with music when I had recorders in third grade with Ms. Lemnah, and it quickly became my passion,” he says. “I now study it and hope to be a full-fledged music teacher and saxophonist in the near future.”
In 2020, Tristan, a then-junior at Quincy Junior-Senior High School, was selected for the PSREC/National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Washington Youth Tour. Weeks before the trip, however, the tour was canceled due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19.
Due to the unfortunate news, a monetary scholarship was awarded to McMichael instead, as he was set to graduate the following year.
As most seniors can attest, preparing for the next step after high school graduation can be daunting. Support from teachers and peers was crucial.
“In my senior year of high school, Jane Brown became the music teacher at Quincy High School, and she helped me through the whole process of applying to college and auditioning for college,” McMichael says. “She also created an AP Music Theory class, which has helped me through many of my college classes and helped me have a successful first year of college. She is also an amazing teacher and musician, so I look up to her very much.”
Growing up in a small rural community shaped his passion for music, McMichael says.
“Seeing how music can be a safe and welcoming place with the right teacher inspired me to want to create that safe space for other people and become a teacher one day,” he says. “Growing up in a rural community showed me that there are still places in the world that are not fully accepting of people who may come from backgrounds other than the most prominent demographic. I found that music was one place where I could express myself without being fearful in a rural town.”
Being a musician in Quincy, a place with a rich musical background and host of the High Sierra Music Festival, connected him with others. He found that to be true everywhere he went. Discovering the closeness and support of the musical community inspired him to further pursue his dream of being an integral part of it.
“I saw the powerful impact music education has as both an academic subject that reinforces other subject matters, as well as an amazing vessel for social-emotional learning, and I wanted to be the person that helped bring that to more people,” McMichael says.
Despite Quincy’s musical history, there are still obstacles.
“Growing up in Quincy, I had to advocate for music education to ensure we had access to it because it was often threatened by many poor administrative decisions or financial cuts,” Tristan says. “Through this advocacy, I grew a passion for teaching music and ensuring all students have access to it no matter what their background is.”
“Seeing how music can be a safe and welcoming place with the right teacher inspired me to want to create that safe space for other people and become a teacher one day.” —Tristan Mcmichael
In his time spent outside of the classroom, Tristan is involved with the University of the Pacific Chapter of the National Association for Music Education, the Mu Eta Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, the Pacific Repertoire Orchestra, Plumas Performing Arts and the Pacific Pep Band.
Tristan has big plans for his next steps. “I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s in saxophone performance,” he says. “I plan to teach music in a TK-12 setting while also seeking professional performance opportunities as a saxophonist, woodwind doubler and conductor.”
As he continues his journey to becoming a music teacher and professional musician, his spirit of resilience carries him through, said PSREC. Fueled by his passion for music, shaped by supportive mentors and a close-knit musical community, he is determined to advocate for music education.
His story encourages others in rural areas that no matter where they come from, they can pursue their passions, and that opportunity can emerge from the most unexpected places.
Information provided by Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative
