By Gabriel Ruiz — Anna Fuelberth will present her recital, “Fragments of Femininity,” on November 9 at 3 p.m. This program reflects her passion for music and gender studies and explores how these themes intersect.
“Fragments of Femininity” will feature a selection of culturally diverse pieces across six different languages, spanning time periods from as far back as the 1500s to contemporary works. Anna holds particular regard for Austrian composer and author Alma Mahler and Italian composer and singer Francesca Caccini as female artists who are often overlooked.
The songs in the program highlight the experiences of women and the many ways in which femininity unfolds.
Reflecting on her experience with the Morningside University Music Department, Fuelberth said, “It’s been so incredible, the faculty and staff just are so supportive of letting you take what the requirements are and run with it in your own direction.” She added, “There’s just a lot of support in learning about yourself and exploring your own interests.”
Speaking on the department’s approach, she noted, “They set high expectations for us, but there’s not an expectation that there’s only one way to do things, and I really enjoy that flexibility and creativity.”
Anna also credited Shannon Salyards Burton, director of voice studies at Morningside, for being there for her “not only as a vocal teacher but as a fellow human,” adding, “With other teachers, it feels like they’re trying to mold my voice to a prescribed shape. But with Shannon, it’s like she wants you to find the best version of your own voice, and the most sustainable.”
Reflecting on her time at the university, she said, “It feels really crazy. I like to say it’s not my senior year; it’s just my fourth freshman year. I very much have had the experience of the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.”
Looking ahead, she plans to become a music teacher. “Coming into college, I had a clear vision that I was going to teach high school, and I wanted to have a top choir in the state…as I’ve gotten further into it in my time at college I’ve realized teaching the little kids is so rewarding and interesting pedagogically,” she said.
“I’ve realized that more than teaching an ensemble to sound good, I want them to be feeling good and connecting with music… I’ve realized how important that is versus the external success. You have to have a balance, and I wholly believe that if you’re working hard and teaching kids to connect with the music and sing in a way that is healthy, then you’re going to see that external success, but that can’t be the sole focus,” she added.
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