From tragedy to instrumental mastery
A childhood tragedy opened the path to a brighter future for Kirkwood Community College Music major Allison Offerman.
Offerman, who suffered severe burns to her arms and hands as a child, turned to music not only as a form of emotional therapy but physical therapy as well. She has taken her love of music far from its therapeutic beginnings, turning it into a passion and a lifelong pursuit.
Although she specializes in the oboe, Offerman said she has used her time at Kirkwood to play a variety of instruments, nine to be exact, as a member of the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band and Woodwind Ensemble. She has also taken her talents to the Coe College Concert Band, the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra.
“I started on the clarinet in fifth grade. My band director suggested I take up the oboe because I was advancing on the clarinet at a very fast pace,” Offerman explained. “I picked up the flute because I wanted to outshine my sister, I learned to play saxophone (alto, tenor and baritone) because my high school band director needed a sax player in the jazz band and I picked up piano because I needed a way to stretch out my hands after my burn surgeries.”
Offerman said Kirkwood has given her the opportunity to specialize in music and “advance my music theory skills and make me see what it takes to succeed as a musician.” She cited her biggest influence as Dr. Beth Zamzow, associate professor of music. Offerman said she learned different aspects of music, ranging from the analysis of scores to stage presence and confidence from Zamzow.
She will be transferring to the University of Northern Iowa following her Kirkwood graduation, where she will major in Instrumental Music Education. Offerman received the Steve West Foundation Music Scholarship from UNI and plans to participate in the schools orchestra, concert band, color guard and chamber ensembles. Part of her requirements at UNI will involve learning a string and brass instrument and another percussion.
In the end, Offerman said knowing upwards of 10 instruments and getting the strong musical background will only serve to further her professional capabilities.
“I want to be a high school or middle school band director,” she said. “I think I can help all kids overcome different obstacles because I have been through many of them myself.”