Ronan student heads to Houston

Ronan freshman Lexie Gauthier will be headed to Houston July 30-Aug. 4, but first, she’s going to hold a summer camp to help pay her way.

She and her mother, Rachel Edington, are hosting an art camp at New Life Church, 1414 Second Street West, Polson, next month where children will be able to recreate famous pieces of art in new ways.

“We both love art and thought it might be fun to share our love for art with others,” Edington said.

The mother-daughter duo will go to Houston so Lexie, 14, can compete in the Nationals Convention for Fine Arts.

The Ronan freshman started playing piano when she was 7 years old, after she told her dad she didn’t want to play T-ball anymore.

“He was really into it and I was not into it at all,” Gauthier said, laughing.

Her father told her she had to be involved in an extracurricular activity, so she chose the piano, following her older sisters Gracie and Cassie.

Music has helped her grow, Gauthier said. “It’s definitely my way of getting through things.”

Although her main instrument is the piano, Gauthier has also played both tenor and alto saxophone and the violin, in addition to taking voice lessons.

To qualify for the national competition in Houston, Lexie had to compete in Great Falls on May 12, where she played Allegro Burlesco, a piece she chose because she finds the song “circus-y and fun.”

Inclement weather intially caused a delay by more than a month for the state competition, giving Gauthier time to fine-tune the jovial song.

The additional time “was very important because I had it ready, but it wasn’t perfect,” she said.

That extra time allowed her to master the song, which she’ll play again in Houston.

While competing in Great Falls, Gauthier also competed in the short sermon and spoken word categories, but ultimately placing while playing the piano.

All of the Assembly of God Churches from around the country will attend the five-day event, where Lexie will compete and attend classes with about 1,000 other youths.

Gauthier’s favorite composer is Beethoven, and she also enjoys playing selections by Bach.

In addition to playing classical pieces, Gauthier also composes her own work, in what she calls “pop-genre.”

Gauthier enjoys music and the arts, and she also likes math in school.

There are 10 spots available for the art camp that the mother-daughter duo will hold July 9-12.

Cost of the art camp is $100 per child.

Morning classes will host children 6-8 years of age, while the afternoon sessions will be for children 9-12.

Gauthier is also able to accept donations and sponsorships, Edington said.

For more information regarding the art camp, contact Gauthier at (406) 833-0016, or Edington at (406) 813-1192.