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Former music teacher leads a dance band
A noteworthy senior
Photo by Dana Bowler
Emily Vaniman, above, on lead saxophone for Seniors of Note and the only woman in the band, plays for a packed audience at the St. Patrick's Day dance at Leisure Village earlier this month. Vaniman is also the band director. "Directing a band is not much different than teaching students music. In the band they are just older," said Vaniman.
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Photo by Dana Bowler
Emily Vaniman, left, talks with Bruce Colell about the arrangement of musicians moments before performing at the Leisure Village St. Patrick's Day dance.
Emily Vaniman has been consumed by music for more than 45 years, and she isn't likely to slow down anytime soon.
Vaniman, a 75-year-old self-taught musician, has played all 17 instruments of a typical dance band at least once but prefers the clarinet and saxophone.
She has spent the past 10 years directing the Seniors of Note band in Camarillo.
Don't be fooled by her small stature. Standing 5 feet tall, Vaniman not only is the band director but also plays the lead saxophone.
Vaniman's musical pursuits began in Ventura County in 1962, working in the Pleasant Valley School District as a music teacher for several schools. Her legacy stretches from Simi Valley to Somis, including Santa Paula and the Conejo Valley.
"If you are going to teach music, you have to know how it all works," she said.
"My life as a teacher has been a whirlwind because the music programs were always the first to be cut in school districts when the economy would go down," Vaniman said.
She recently returned as director to Seniors of Note after recovering from surgery to have a kidney removed. The time away from playing weighed heavily on her heart. She was out for more than a month, and it was her longest stretch away from musical instruments.
"I didn't realize how much I enjoyed playing in the band until I couldn't do it after my surgery. I just couldn't wait to get back to my music and my band," Vaniman said, smiling.
"Emily is so valuable to us in the band. When she isn't here, the practice is just not the same," said band member Bruce Colell.
Going into directing a band was a natural move after teaching music for Vaniman.
"Teaching is about helping and guiding. Directing a band is not much different than teaching students music. In the band they are just older," Vaniman said.
Being the only woman in the band, she sometimes draws questions. "I was asked recently if I am respected because I am the only female, and I replied, I better be respected by the band; I am their director."
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