When most people think of a high school music program, they don’t think of the person behind the scenes who runs it all. Maybe they’re more focused on the drums in the band, or the voices of the choir, but not enough credit is ever given to the accompanist.
A typical accompanist’s role is to play piano alongside music ensembles and, sometimes, participate in the coaching of students leading up to a performance. A full-time job is rare at the high school level for a typical accompanist. However, Mrs. Natasha Mah is not your typical accompanist.
“I consider Mrs. Mah our collaborative pianist because she’s not just an accompanist; she’s another teacher and so much more,” choir Director Mr. Matthew Begale said. “She is always on the same wavelength as me. This type of thing can make or break your program.”
In spring of 2023, the LFHS music program took a trip to Europe, performing in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
“Mrs. Mah and I had a lovely moment where we stopped for a moment and took a picture right in front of a little arch,” Begale said. “I was happy to have my good friend there with me as we enjoyed the world together.”
An important factor for pianists is having a good relationship with the other members of the music program as the environment in the classes is created by the teachers. Additionally, the relationships between teachers is such a crucial part of classes because it influences relationships with the students. Mah excels at connecting with students.
“Everyone in the choir calls her ‘Mama Mah,’” senior Nora Sharman said. “The name is so fitting because she is constantly going out of her way to create a safe and welcoming space for students.”
One of the additional tasks Mah takes on outside of being an accompanist is coaching the Bel Canto singers. Bel Cantos is a holiday-themed acapella group for treble voices, meaning typically freshmen and sophomore girls participate.
“It’s like my baby. It feels like a community within the community,” Mah said. “I feel like even though I have a son, all of the Bel Canto singers are like my daughters.”
Mah seems to do everything music related. On top of her work at LFHS, she also plays piano for the local church, plays music with her son throughout the community, and accompanies all of the honors music students.
“Mrs. Mah uses every second of her day, including her lunch, to fit in rehearsals for the honors students,” Sharman said.
For someone with such undeniable talent, it’s hard to imagine how she learned all of it. Mah’s progression started all the way in Latvia, where she is from.
“I started music when I was five when I auditioned for a performing arts school,” Mah said. “When I started, I think I was doing it because my parents wanted me to play the piano, but eventually I developed my own love for music.”
When Mah came to the United States during high school, she looked to her love of music to assist with the transition. At school, she played piano in the orchestra and participated in chamber music.
“Though I didn’t really speak much English, music helped me assimilate into the high school and find friends,” Mah said.
Music helped Mah in high school, and now Mah has made it a core value to help other students through music.
“I love Mrs. Mah dearly. We always just look at each other and start laughing. She has such an amazing style, and I would consider her an icon,” senior Siobhan Boyle said. “I never have to worry about disappointing her because she always just wants what’s best for all of her students.”
Mah goes out of her way to create individual bonds with each student through a variety of things, one of those being ‘page-turning.’ The page-turner’s job is to follow along with the sheet music, turning the page when needed during performances. Sharman is one of these page-turners.
“It’s honestly become one of my favorite parts of each concert. I love my and Mrs. Mah’s little chats before we go on, or even just little side comments between pieces,” Sharman said. “She always gets me a Starbucks gift card and a handwritten note as a thank you, which just goes to show how thoughtful and genuine she is in everything that she does.”
In 2023, Kenna McBean graduated from LFHS. As an avid choir member and page-turner for four years, she wrote her college essay about her relationship with Mah. Upon hearing about this, Mah was “incredibly touched.”
“I think one of the biggest things that all of us teach is actually not music. I think we teach our students about life,” Mah said. “I think that’s what makes our jobs so rewarding. I still stay in touch with Kenna. When she comes home for breaks, it’s great to see how you can make an impression on a student.”
Kenna’s sister, junior Lila McBean, has carried on her sister’s legacy of page-turning for Mah, developing that same close relationship.
“I met Mrs. Mah through my church since she plays piano there,” Lila said. “It’s so nice to have her as a teacher because as you get older, it’s always a class you can come back to and know you have a cheerful face waiting to see you.”
Mah has become an inspiration for students. Through her comforting attitude and motivating skill, it is easy to see why people love her.
“She’s an amazing person. I look up to her all the time, and her fashion sense is on point,” junior Lily Kienzle said.
Mah is nothing short of amazing. She does so much to make the school function.
“Most people don’t even know half of what Mrs. Mah does,” Sharman said. “Everyone knows that she is an outstanding pianist and accompanist, but what they don’t know is that she is the key to the LFHS music department.”
