Here at BSM, many of the teachers have specific talents that they incorporate within the school’s walls as well as on their own time. One English teacher in particular, Jennifer Bevington, is a skilled violin player and singer.

Bevington has been playing the violin for over 27 years. Starting in first grade, she has continued to play her whole life. Originally, Bevington started playing because lessons were offered within the Wayzata school district, where she attended grade school. Having always loved music her parents thought this was something she would enjoy. “People came to the classrooms and were like, ‘hey, does anybody want to learn to play an instrument?’ I had always really loved music and musical instruments when I was a kid so my parents were like, ‘this seems like something you’d be into.’ I got really into it, and just discovered a love for it and just kept going,” Bevington said.

In high school and college, Bevington kept her love for music. She joined a rock cover band in high school and joined the Concordia Orchestra in college. Currently, she is a member of VocalEssance, a professional choir from Minneapolis. “I usually rehearse with them once a week and we have performances several times a year…It’s an intense schedule, especially when you have concerts coming up because you finished a full workday and then you go and rehearse for three more hours at night. And since it’s a professional choir you’re expected to learn your music on your own. They’re not going to teach you the music you’re expected to show up and be able to sing it at a professional level because they want to make the most of that ensemble time so it’s pretty intense,” Bevington said.

Between the choir and practicing violin, Bevington stays very busy with music outside of school. However, she also incorporates music into the school day by playing with the BSM Orchestra during all school masses. Bevington has always had a strong connection with music ministry. She grew up playing at the Holy Name of Jesus with her parents and now retired band director Paul Keefe’s choir. When she got to BSM and Keefe asked her if she’d want to play here, she jumped at the chance. “After joining them a couple of times on violin [choir teacher Ryan Werdon] said, ‘Do you want to just consider yourself part of the music liturgy team and join us every week’ and I was like, ‘You know what, I can’t think of anything better. That sounds great,’” Bevington said.