We were lucky to catch up with Megan Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

I had to think long and hard about this question. There have been countless acts of kindness over the course of my life, especially from family and teachers. I think the older I get the more I value all the small acts, like phone calls and text messages and opportunities given. If I had to think of one kind act that changed the course of my life, it would be when my high school clarinet teacher, Wendy Westberry, gave me lessons during my lunch every day, no matter if I had money to pay her or not. I liked playing clarinet, and I liked band, and I knew I wanted to become a music educator. But Effingham County is a pretty isolated place in terms of private lesson instructors and I happened to be in the exact right place and the exact right time to have Wendy as a teacher. Her soon-to-be husband at the time, Ryan, was our assistant band director – and they were only in Effingham for those four years. Wendy was a clarinet performance major from Furman, and if she had not been in Effingham at the same time as my high school career, I have no doubt my life would not be what it is today.

Lessons are so important for anyone who wants to major in music. Students need individual guidance, and without it, it’s very unlikely that a student would be successful as a collegiate music student. Because of Wendy’s kindness, I was able to make the Georgia All-State Band several times, I was able to perform with the Savannah Winds (an adult community band), I was able to attend the Governor’s Honors Program, Janfest…the list goes on. To say that her act of kindness and sacrifice of time changed my life is an understatement.

When I think back on that time, I know that I learned so many musical things about tone and phrasing and how to play collaboratively through playing duets, but I also know I learned how to be a teacher. Wendy taught me what a private lesson was, and now when I teach 34 students a week I try to emulate those lessons. Not only that, but if I ever have a student who’s parents go through a tough time financially I always find a way to make it work. I teach several students for varying rates and though there are some musicians who say that I am underselling myself and not always getting what “I am worth,” I don’t see it that way at all. I see it as paying it forward and knowing that what I received from Wendy twenty years ago is a gift not to be taken for granted.

Thank you, Wendy.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I currently work as a private clarinet instructor in metro-Atlanta, as well as for seven local schools on a rotational basis. I serve as the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestras of Atlanta, a non-profit benefiting metro-Atlanta music students through three performing orchestras, a free summer workshop, and our chamber music program. I also serve as the Community Engagement and Development Coordinator for the Georgia Music Educators Association. I worked as a school teacher for 16 years prior to the work I do now. I am also the founder and organizer of Atlanta Clarinet Day – a day for all clarinetists in the Atlanta area to work on their craft and learn new musical skills.

I am the most proud of the fact that I have two young daughters and my sweet husband at home. All of those professional accolades and titles mean very little without our four-person family. My favorite part of any day is when those two little girls wake up and come find me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of any endeavor I undertake is the difference it makes in individuals’ lives. When I teach a private student for seven years and they go on to be a collegiate music major and then I see them out in the world being successful – THAT is the reward. When I see people being highlighted for GMEA in our publications or on social media – I know it makes a difference and people should know and celebrate others’ successes. I also think that the reward is small daily interactions. When a person gives you a hug because you wrote a grant that funded a free workshop, or you organized a day of musical education and you can see the palpable excitement in the students’ faces – that’s the reward.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I don’t know that there’s a back story to this – but any time anyone is rude or ugly to you, it is 100% a reflection of them and what they are going through. I never really understood that “hurt people hurt people.” and I think that my lens has definitely shifted in this regard. When someone has a big reaction that feels completely out of place, they are showing that they are going through something. Now, I’m not perfect at this by any means. Sometimes I still react back, and that is something I’m working on daily. But in the deep crevices of my mind, I am constantly telling myself to be silent and not react. It very rarely helps the situation and only escalates the other person’s anger. Maybe this is what people mean when they say you get wiser as you get older.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atlantaclarinetday.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-williams-0494647
• Other: https://www.mysoatlanta.org

Image Credits

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