Alumna competes in Miss America pageant

A native of Lakeville, Minnesota, Nicole Swanson (Camp 1998), was recently crowned Miss Minnesota. The former Emerson scholar and principal violist in WYSO competed in the Miss America pageant in January. In her new role, Nicole has used her public platform to promote music education.

What is the difference between pageants like Miss America, Miss USA and others? Why did you decide to get involved in the Miss America program?
The Miss America program is the world's largest provider of scholarship money for young women. In addition to its emphasis on scholarships, the main difference between Miss America and other pageants is that Miss America has a talent competition ... and it is the most heavily weighted category, counting for 35 percent of your score. I decided to compete to see if I could use skills and talents I had already developed to help myself through college.

Is it fair to say that there is a stigma attached to this type ofcompetition?
I definitely have to work against the common misconception that all "beauty queens" are overly-processed and unintelligent. Yes, we wear heavy makeup onstage - but what stage performer doesn't? People often don't realize that being Miss Minnesota is more than just winning a pageant ... it's what you do after you win - it's a job. Doing the job well requires intelligence, business sense, conviction and compassion.

Miss America competitions require that contestants represent platforms - specific causes that they champion. Your platform is "Music is Instrumental." What do you mean by this?
Teaching violin and viola lessons opened my eyes to the array of needs within the music community - funding and support for in-school programs; committed, passionate and well-trained teachers; arts integration with other school disciplines. My personal mission is to provide opportunities for youth to be exposed to, inspired by, participate in, and able to afford music programs.

As Miss Minnesota what are your responsibilities?
My first responsibility is to represent Minnesota at the Miss America pageant. Beyond that, my responsibility is to promote my platform and the Miss Minnesota organization. I travel to communities throughout the state to connect with people using concerts and presentations to highlight the importance of an arts-inclusive education.

In pageant competition and in your life, music has played such a prominent role. How did you get involved in music?
Music runs in my family. My mother was a piano major in college and my older sister, Marissa (Camp 1996), played violin. I started violin lessons when I was 3 years old. In first grade, my mom took me to an orchestra concert that featured a viola soloist and I fell in love with its deep, rich sound. After the concert, I said, "Mom, I want to play that." I've been a violist ever since.

What are your future plans?
Graduate school is the next logical step. After that, I'll see which doors are open for me: I'd love to join an orchestra, be a full-time teacher, or be in a professional string quartet. I could also easily see myself moving to the administrative side of the business as dean or director of a music school or conservatory.

How do you think Interlochen shaped you as a person and musician?
It was my time at Interlochen that made me realize I wanted to pursue music as a career. So many friendships that started at Interlochen are still part of my life now. I love reuniting with Interlochen alumni as I travel around the country.

What is your fondest Interlochen memory?
Shostakovich 11 with Larry Rachleff. Anyone who was in the WYSO in 1998 will likely feel the same! The symphony depicts the first Russian Revolution in 1905 and is a lamentation about violence and loss of life. At the end of the concert, the entire audience in Kresge was still and I fully apprehended music's power to transcend time and tell the story of humanity. I have yet to participate in or witness a more moving performance.