The 9th Day of Thanksgiving: Mr. Beckstead

I am the greatest fan of the opera! I could hardly wait to see “Madame Butterfly,” which played at the Capitol Theatre recently in Salt Lake. I love getting dressed up and walking into that elegant theatre, savoring the stage, the costumes, and the stellar performances. And to top it off, David and I had the best seats in the house. When I heard Cio-Cio San sing her aria in the second act, I felt as though my heart was going to fly out of my body! I fought back the tears and that’s when I thought of Mr. Beckstead.

Mr. Beckstead was my orchestra director in junior high. I had played the violin for three years by the time I entered seventh grade. He took me under his wing and taught me how to play the viola very well—so well that I was able to become a member of the junior youth symphony in our school district.

One day after school, I went in to the band room to pick up my viola. There wasn’t a soul there but Mr. Beckstead. The stereo was on, and the room was filled with the music of “Madame Butterfly”—it was so beautiful and so loud you would have thought the entire opera company was in the band room with him. Although I had never heard the music before, I knew there was something special about it: Mr. Beckstead was “air conducting” the opera, eyes closed, tears streaming down his cheeks. He didn’t even know I was there.

That was the day I fell in love with opera, and since that day, my love for the arts has grown. I went on to play in the senior youth symphony, then in the BYU Symphony, where I began a major in music. I dreamed of someday performing in the Utah Opera Company, but as it turned out, I later chose to pursue a different creative love.

Although the art of stamping and scrapbooking became my career, music remains a lifelong passion and Mr. Beckstead’s legacy lives on: Each of my four children has played a stringed instrument, and I’m delighted, warmed, and reminded of my mentor every time I hear one of them play.

Because of Mr. Beckstead, I have learned that music is truthful, creative, and logical, with rules to follow and a promise that always delivers. Music has made me appreciate balance and composition—elements that guide me every time I design a new scrapbook pattern or select colors for a new kit. The passion for the arts that he instilled in me many years ago lives on. Because of him, I listen to “Madame Butterfly” with my eyes closed, and tears streaming down my face. Wherever you are, Mr. Beckstead, I thank you.