Playing for the governor

In June, Bethany Martinek, 12, was touring the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia with her family. In the ballroom sat two Steinway grand pianos. Her desire to play one gave her enough courage to ask if she could. That bold move led to her performance at the mansion during a holiday party on Dec. 1.

“If you want to do something, just ask and do it,” said Bethany. In June, when Bethany played the piano in front of the tour guide and mansion coordinator, they were impressed. She was well-prepared, having played at Musicfest Northwest at Gonzaga the month before.

“The mansion coordinator, Teresa Olson, was so impressed she immediately asked if Bethany would want to play for an event at the mansion,” said Bethany’s mother, Kelly Martinek. A couple of months later, Bethany’s name was added to the calendar of events for the party.

Bethany has been playing the piano since she was 5.

“The reason I play piano is because of my best friend, Lauren Archibald, who was playing piano before me, and of course I wanted to do everything she did so I got the same piano teacher and started taking lessons.”

Bethany took extra lessons for two months prior to her engagement at the mansion, where she had her picture taken with Gov. Chris Gregoire. Bethany played eight pieces, including “What Child is This” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Bethany enjoys skiing and hanging out with friends, and she is involved with Christian Youth Theater. The Bowdish Middle School seventh-grader believes that communicating with her teachers is important. “I talk to them a lot,” she said. Her ability to communicate and perform earned her an audience at the Governor’s Mansion and will continue to aid her in the future.