Last month, longtime Pierre music teacher Jeannette Beemer was honored for her lasting legacy with a 2015 Governor’s Award in the Arts for Outstanding Support of the Arts by an Individual.
Beemer was born in 1918 and grew up in Highmore, South Dakota. She graduated from Huron College with a bachelor of arts in music in 1940 and two years later married her husband, Mel, and together they raised six children. She taught in the Pierre elementary schools for several years before becoming director of the music system for the Pierre school district. She’s been involved in several community arts organizations over the years and at the age of 96 remains a supporter of the Pierre arts scene.
Others 2015 Governor's Awards in the Arts recipients include Hot Springs artist Jon Crane for distinction in creative achievement; trumpeter and former Rapid City Stevens High School band director Milo Stevens for outstanding service to arts education; and the Dacotah Prairie Museum in Aberdeen for outstanding support to the arts by and organization. Lydia Whirwind Soldier, Sicangu Lakota writer, artist and business owner, received the living Indian treasure award. South Dakotans for the Arts and the South Dakota Arts Council sponsor the awards every other year.
Jeannette Beemer joined Dakota Midday and discussed her long career in music education.