The Children's Pianist: A Monica Scott Interview

It is not new to our ears to hear that Moroni Channel will once host The Spirit of Music with an acclaimed LDS Pianist/YouTuber since most of the special guests in the program are musicians who are pianists. But Monica offers a different approach compared to the previous performers. Monica performed in a Christmas setting where she played Children and Christmas arrangements. Scott is also the first female musician to perform on Moroni Channel. And we are lucky enough to had the opportunity to ask Monica a few questions.

Question: Monica is this your first time performing in an LDS Based media?

Answer: No it’s not. I have had the opportunity to perform on Mormon Channel Studio twice and I have done one live fireside on LDS sister missionaries. I am grateful for this opportunity on Moroni Channel to give this online fireside this weekend.

Q: When did you start playing the piano?

A: I started playing the piano around age 9-10.

Q: Is the piano your first instrument? What was the first piece you’ve played?

A: My first instrument was the violin. My mom started me and my 4 siblings all on Suzuki strings when we were tiny. My first piece that I ever played that is forever engrained in my head is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations” by Suzuki.

Q: Monica I’m a violinist and admire a lot of great musicians like David Archuleta and Lindsey Stirling. How about you? Do you admire other musicians? Why?

A: This is such a great question. I also admire David Archuleta and Lindsey Stirling as well as so many other talented musicians. I know how much work and time goes into the life of a musician and so I have a great appreciate and respect for musicians.

Q: What inspires you to play the piano?

A: Playing the piano has always been an outlet for me. I love putting my feelings into my music on the piano. I began writing music because I love to be able to create and express what’s in my heart.

Q: Do you have an unforgettable musical experience? What is it?

A: Hmm.. this is a hard one. I guess the first one that comes to my mind is when I was in High School and I was playing a piano concerto with my high school orchestra. It was a really difficult piece and I was really nervous on the night of the performance. During the performance with an auditorium filled with people – and my peers- I completely forgot my spot and stopped playing. It was so embarrassing and at the time as a high schooler seemed so humiliating and was definitely an unforgettable moment.

Q: Monica you have children right? Do you want them to also be muscians someday?

A: Yes, I have been blessed with 4 beautiful children ages 6-11 and they are my world. I have been asked often if I want my children to also be musicians and my answer is that I want my children to be passionate and love what they do. If that is music then that is wonderful, but if it’s not then that’s okay too. It is a goal of mine though to have all of my children learn the piano- just so that they can play at least one instrument. And as most parents can relate, getting their kids to practice can be a challenge! So I am always looking for creative ways to keep them motivated so that they can learn to play the piano.

Q: Today, music is accessible more than ever. We can listen to music on Spotify, on the radio, and on social media. Music is indeed entertaining isn’t it? But there are some that drives the spirit away. How do you choose the best music to play considering what the for the strength of youth states that we should always select media that uplifts the spirit?

A: As a mom, I have noticed when life gets chaotic, Music can have such a powerful influence on our home. Music has the power to bring the spirit in and so for this reason, I try to be very selective about Music that we listen to in the car, or at home. When my kids are not getting along, or fighting in the car, I love to quietly turn on quiet children’s primary songs and I have noticed that it seems to help. This is one of the reasons that I found myself writing children’s music! We were listening to these beautiful primary songs so much that I just decided one day it would be fun to write my own songs that I could teach my children. Not realizing at the time that I would have more than my own family using these songs! It has been a great blessing to be able to write these songs and it is my hope and prayer that they can bring the spirit in.