[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It's time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. From the latest school and district news updates on various district hot topics and opportunities to meet all of those that help make LPS great, *In the Loop with LPS* is here to provide yet another opportunity for us to stay connected with you.

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
So let's get started and send you to the longtime Director of Communications with Liberty Public Schools and your host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

[00:00:34] **Dallas Ackerman:**
And we welcome everyone back. It’s great to be back. This is *In the Loop with LPS*, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. My name is Dallas Ackerman, and I am the Director of Communications for LPS. Of course, we’ve had some interruptions in recent weeks with snow days and virtual learning from home days here in Liberty Public Schools.

[00:01:02] **Dallas Ackerman:**
So we’ve had to cancel, reshuffle, reschedule. We’re so excited to have our guest with us this week, Liberty High School senior Langston Tervort, who made headlines back in January when Director of Fine Arts Aaron Money shared the all-state lists. Langston was named all-state in choir, orchestra, and band, which is phenomenal.

[00:01:40] **Dallas Ackerman:**
We really appreciate Langston taking time to come by and join us here at the District Administration Center. Langston, welcome to *In the Loop with LPS*.

[00:01:50] **Langston Tervort:**
Thank you for having me.

[00:01:51] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Good to have you. I guess the first question is, as an LPS senior, rate the level of excitement to have not one, not two, not three, but eleven inclement weather days due to winter weather recently.

[00:02:08] **Langston Tervort:**
Well, first they were great, but just the longer it went on, I was like, I want to get back out. It feels weird being cooped up at home and doing school.

[00:02:23] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Routine is good, isn’t it? What does a snow day look like for Langston?

[00:02:36] **Langston Tervort:**
I sleep in until maybe ten, get some food, do a couple hours of schoolwork, and then sit on my phone or computer the rest of the day.

[00:02:54] **Dallas Ackerman:**
We recently recognized all-state students, and it was fun introducing you three different times for choir, orchestra, and band. That had to be quite the journey. Can you talk about that?

[00:03:44] **Langston Tervort:**
My parents have always supported my musical endeavors. They paid for piano lessons, cello lessons, vocal lessons, and let me do what I enjoy.

[00:04:11] **Langston Tervort:**
I started piano at three, so about fifteen years now, ten years of cello, and about three years of vocal, though I’ve always sung at church.

[00:04:36] **Langston Tervort:**
There wasn’t one specific moment. Music was always in the house. It’s always been there, and I’ve always felt connected to it.

[00:04:59] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Tell us about your journey in LPS.

[00:05:18] **Langston Tervort:**
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and lived there for six years. My family moved here when I was in first grade, and we’ve been in Liberty ever since.

[00:05:33] **Langston Tervort:**
I went to Shoemaker Elementary. In middle school I started orchestra, and I didn’t join choir until high school. Freshman year, Miss Roller walked in while I was working on a cello solo and asked if I sang. That changed everything.

[00:06:36] **Dallas Ackerman:**
How do you balance being all-state in three different fine arts areas?

[00:07:08] **Langston Tervort:**
A lot of practice — multiple hours every day. When I’m not practicing, I’m thinking about music. Mental practice helps, too.

[00:08:16] **Langston Tervort:**
Liberty High’s fine arts program is incredible. I’ve felt safe exploring everything that interests me.

[00:09:03] **Langston Tervort:**
I’ve been gunning for all-state since freshman year. Orchestra was an incredible experience.

[00:09:56] **Langston Tervort:**
I’d tell my freshman self to practice more and enjoy it. High school goes so fast.

[00:10:48] **Langston Tervort:**
Outside of music, I crochet and knit. It’s just a hobby I pick up and put down.

[00:11:35] **Langston Tervort:**
Mrs. Krauss really stands out to me. She’s an incredible musician, and I love playing with her.

[00:12:32] **Langston Tervort:**
There are times my life isn’t balanced. I’ve learned to listen to my body — eating, sleeping, and taking time to relax.

[00:13:48] **Langston Tervort:**
One of my best memories is being part of musicals and orchestra concerts. The community here really cares about each other.

[00:15:15] **Langston Tervort:**
Graduation feels real now. I had my first college audition recently, and that made it sink in.

[00:16:14] **Langston Tervort:**
I have more auditions coming up. I’m excited for college because it’ll be a better academic fit for me.

[00:16:48] **Langston Tervort:**
I’m planning to stay fairly close to home — far enough to be independent, but close enough to come back.

[00:17:19] **Langston Tervort:**
My family is very musical. I’m the only one who doesn’t play bass.

[00:17:48] **Langston Tervort:**
This summer I’m going back to Boise State as a counselor and then to Taiwan for an English teaching program.

[00:18:48] **Langston Tervort:**
Schooling in Taiwan is harder academically, but there are a lot of opportunities in the U.S., especially for music.

[00:19:42] **Langston Tervort:**
I’d love to be a performing artist someday, whether in an orchestra or as a soloist, and travel a lot.

[00:20:33] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Time for three random questions. If you had to pick one — band, orchestra, or choir?

[00:20:57] **Langston Tervort:**
I can’t choose. I love them all in different ways.

[00:22:09] **Langston Tervort:**
If I could attend any concert, it would be pianist Grigory Sokolov.

[00:23:48] **Langston Tervort:**
My dream vacation would be Germany. It’s beautiful and has incredible music.

[00:24:58] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Langston, thank you so much for joining us. We’re incredibly proud of you and wish you all the best.

[00:25:11] **Langston Tervort:**
Thank you for having me.

[00:25:35] **Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend a few minutes with us and getting in the loop with LPS. This has been a production of the Liberty Public Schools Communications Office.

[00:26:01] **Announcer:**
For more about this podcast and all you need to know about LPS, visit lps53.org.