Nancy Watt is just happy to make music and help others to do the same. She’s not in it for the awards but sometimes praise comes your way when you least expect it.
The local piano teacher and arts enthusiast was one of 12 recipients of the 14th annual Capital Region Integrity Awards, a program put on by local chapters of the Rotary Club.
“I was really honoured and humbled to be included among the others,” she stated.
Every year each Rotary Club in the District 5370 region submits a nomination for someone who is not a Rotarian but that they feel represents the same qualities and ideals of community service that the club itself upholds. The awards give a pedestal to people in the greater Edmonton community who provide impressive contributions to improving the community while upholding great personal and professional integrity.
Don Vaugeois of the Saint City Rotary Club was the one who put her name forward. He explained St. Albert’s music scene wouldn’t be the same without Watt.
“Nancy’s a real strong, behind-the-scenes kind of community lady,” he said. “She’s very much involved in getting things rolling, a mover and shaker getting people to acknowledge what’s happening within our community. Many times she does all this without any pomp or fanfare.”
He praised her involvement as vice-chair of the StArts Fest committee.
“The Mayor’s Celebration was kind of my original idea and it’s blossomed from there,” she said.
He also recalled her outspokenness last year when city council was debating whether or not to purchase the five aboriginal art sculptures by artist Stewart Steinhauer, now on permanent display along the riverside trails adjacent to St. Albert Place.
“Nancy was one of the first ones to come up and say, ‘No. We need to buy them.’ She’s that type of a person.”
Her other activities include acting as chair of the St. Albert Piano Teachers’ Association and adjudicating various music festivals. She was also instrumental in producing the St. Albert Chamber Music series, now wrapping up its first season.
“She’s not just a piano teacher down the street,” Vaugeois stated.
This year’s presentation ceremony took place on April 13 during a formal dinner event in Edmonton.
Other notable past recipients from St. Albert include John Farlinger, Dr. Morag Pansegrau, Kris Wells and Brenda Power.
