New Students Join SMWC for 2019-2020 Academic Year

Now that another academic year has begun at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, it's time to introduce our new music therapy students to the rest of the SMWC community! They recently performed in the "We Are Family"-themed Homecoming Departmental Concert. What a great way to introduce our new students to their new campus home.

Freshmen music therapy students after Homecoming concert:
Lydia Huston, Madeline DeBaun, Tiffani Nunn, & Sophia Ricard

Sophia Ricard, freshman music therapy major

Sophia (Sophie) Ricard - 

Freshman music therapy major Sophie Ricard is no stranger to performing with choral ensembles. She has been singing in Church choirs ever since sixth grade. At Holy Names Academy in Seattle, Washington, she participated in Concert Choir her freshman year and Advanced Concert Choir sophomore through senior year. Additionally, she performed with the audition-only Vocal Ensemble her junior and senior year composed of fourteen women. One of her fondest experiences was singing "He Never Failed Me Yet" by Robert Ray with the Vocal Ensemble.

"This song is very close to my heart and always will be. It reminds me of God’s unending love for His people, He will never fail us no matter what we do" - Sophie

In addition to singing, Sophie played French horn and trumpet in her middle school band and has been teaching herself guitar for the past two years. Her fifteen-year-old twin brothers also play instruments. One plays guitar and the other plays banjo and mandolin, and her father played trumpet while in school. A few of Sophie’s other interests include traveling, photography, drinking coffee, and art.

Who are your musical influences?

"My musical influences are my choir director, my youth minister, and my parents. My choir director and I were very close, I could go to her for anything. She was the one that made me realize that I had talent and made me excited about music. My youth minister has always been my role model – she is the holiest and kindest person I know. She has always been a huge inspiration to me – she studied sacred music in college. My parents are my biggest supporters, always reaffirming my faith and musical abilities. Never once did they question me when I told them I wanted to study music therapy instead of nursing (Sophie thought about studying to become a neonatal nurse). They always said that before I could talk, I could sing. Even though they didn’t have the greatest voices, they would always sing to me – I think this is what sparked my love for music."

What is something you’re looking forward to during your time at The Woods?

"I am really looking forward to my practicums. I have never actually experienced a music therapy session before, so I am very excited to see what it’s like, first-hand. I can’t wait to try out different settings, see different clients, and try different forms of music therapy."

How was your first SMWC concert experience?

“My first SMWC concert experience was absolutely amazing! I loved every minute of it! Being on stage and singing with my fellow classmates and with the alums was such an honor! I especially loved performing with the Madrigals- it was so lovely! This concert made me realize that I really have made the right decision in choosing SMWC. The music department here is like my second family and the Conservatory is my second home. I feel so blessed and grateful to be a part of such an amazing group!"

Lydia Huston, freshman music therapy major

Lydia Huston-

Lydia Huston grew up surrounded my music. Her older brother and sister both pursued music degrees. Following in their footsteps, Lydia has also felt a calling to further her education as a freshman voice primary in the music therapy program here at SMWC. She has taken voice lessons since middle school, played the piano for nine years, and recently picked up guitar and ukulele. The first vocal piece she learned was “Down by the Salley Gardens.” Additionally, she participated in her high school choir and handbell choir, singing solos at various concerts and talent shows. Her fondest musical memory was her first performance in front of other people as an audition for a musical. Lydia also performed with the Indianapolis Youth Chorale, an Indianapolis Children’s Choir, in high school at venues such as the Hilbert Circle Theatre, Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, and Lucas Oil Stadium. Some of Lydia’s pastimes include spending time with friends, reading, and exploring.

Who are your musical influences?

“I wouldn’t say there’s necessarily one person who really got me into music just because it has been a part of my everyday life for so long. But I definitely would not be the musician or person I am today without my voice and piano teacher Amy and Patrick Fata. They taught both me and my siblings about music.”

What is something you’re looking forward to during your time at The Woods?

“I look forward to all the new friendships and memories I’ll make.”

If someone was considering studying music here at The Woods, what would you tell them?

“I think the department does a really good job of balancing having fun but being able to be professional.”

How was your first SMWC concert experience?

“I had an amazing time at the homecoming concert. It nice to have all of the alumni sing with us, and really see that music was what connected everyone. After the concert, I feel closer with everyone in the department, and I am excited that we'll continue to do so in the future. Ultimately, for me it wasn't just a concert, for me it made me realize this school, this department, is my home. And I don't have enough words to express the gratitude I feel that I was able to find and attend a school where I could have that.”

Tiffani Nunn, freshman music therapy major

Tiffani Nunn - 

Fort Wayne, IN, freshman music therapy major Tiffani Nunn participated in her middle school and high school choirs, including a show choir. At Bishop Luers High School, she was also cast in various musicals and participated in ISSMA contests for four years. One of her favorite pastimes is making pictures of encouraging quotes and Bible verses to help encourage others.  Her first solo performance was in sixth grade for Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Solo & Ensemble, singing “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s Pocahontas. 
“…I ended up getting a first place, gold medal for my performance and I had never felt better before” Tiffani

Who are your musical influences?

"The one person who really got me into music was my middle school choir teacher, Mr. Gerke. He never stopped pushing me when I wanted to give up and look where I am now."

If you could learn how to play any instrument, what would it be and why?

"I am really excited to learn piano because it is just a beautiful sounding instrument."

What is something you’re looking forward to during your time at The Woods?

"I am really looking forward to the choral performances, the theatrical productions, and hopefully the France trip."

Madeline DeBaun, freshman music therapy major

Madeline (Maddie) DeBaun –

Freshman music therapy major Maddie DeBaun has been playing the piano for eleven years after discovering how passionately she felt about learning the instrument. Although her three sisters used to play, she is the only one who has continued with the instrument. Once her piano teacher encouraged her to begin enrolling in piano competitions at a young age, she continued to compete in Hoosier Auditions every year in Terre Haute, IN, even getting the opportunity to go to state as a soloist and duettist. One of the first performance pieces she remembers was “Solfeggietto” by C.P.E. Bach. In addition to playing the piano, she sang with the St. Joseph’s University Ministry Choir during elementary and middle school where she attended St. Mary’s School in Paris, Illinois.

Who are your musical influences?

"A musical influence for me is my piano teacher, Lai Ping Jean Ho. She has been my piano teacher for almost my whole piano career, and I owe everything I know to her. She was an amazing teacher, and I'm very grateful to have her in my life. My dad is also a huge influence on me. He's my biggest fan and always pushes me to do my best in performances." 

What is one of your fondest musical memories?

"One of my fondest memories relating to music is during adoration this past summer while on a mission trip with my youth group. I wasn’t actually performing myself, but there was music playing in the background of adoration. I remember watching all of my friends - they all had their eyes closed and were listening to every word of the songs and praying through the music. We were all shedding tears of gratitude and love for God, and it was through the music being performed that brought this out of us. The music is what exposed our innermost emotions to each other, and because of this we grew much closer."

What is something you’re looking forward to during your time at The Woods?

"Something I am looking forward to at The Woods is the Ring Ceremony! Not just my own, but all of the juniors and sophomores of this year, too!"

If someone was considering studying music here at The Woods, what would you tell them?

"I would tell them to definitely come to The Woods! The music program here is one-of-a-kind; you really can’t find the close-knit relationships you gain with your classmates and professors at any other school. All of the professors work to make sure you are understanding the class fully and completing the assignments without issue and help in any way they can. The atmosphere of the school feels like a second home. You never feel alone, no matter where you are."

The new students mentioned being drawn to SMWC because of its small size, tight-knit community, beautiful campus, and faithful roots. As they realized their mutual passions for helping others and love for music, they discovered the SMWC Music Therapy Program. After applying to multiple other music therapy programs, Sophie felt most at home here. She describes the campus as “peaceful and inviting” and that SMWC is “different from other schools”. 

The combination of a challenging curriculum, supportive professors, and individualized attention for each and every student further drew her to attend SMWC. Maddie explained that her mother, an SMWC alum, encouraged her to look into attending the College. As the owners of DeBaun Funeral Homes in Terre Haute, IN, her family has helped the Sisters of Providence with preparing funeral services. As an active horseback rider, Maddie also looked forward to joining the equestrian teams. She said, “…After going on a tour of the campus, I immediately knew I wanted this to be my home for the next 4 years of my life.”

After music having such a large impact on their lives, all of the new students were guided here to further their education in an environment where they felt they could thrive. After being asked about their experience here so far, they all described feeling welcome, encouraged, and supported by upperclassmen, professors, and their fellow freshmen music cohort members. Interacting with genuine people who have a passion for music has made their experiences memorable.

New music and music therapy students - 
Row 1: Madeline DeBaun, Ethan Stattner (freshman music major), Sophia Ricard 
Row 2: Lydia Huston, Tiffani Nunn

Blog Post Author: Autumn Wilson, Music Therapy Student Assistant and music therapy major

Blog Post Editor: Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program

Photo Credits: Autumn Wilson, Music Therapy Student Assistant and music therapy major

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