This semester I joined VCU’s all-inclusive choir, Choral Arts Society. Choir has been a huge part of my life since I was in high school, so when I heard that VCU had a choir for all majors, I had to do it. Dr. Freeman is the conductor of the choir; she is full of so much energy and love for what she does that I just had to interview her. She is truly an inspiration for all students pursuing a music education career.
Dr. Freeman’s official title at VCU is Assistant Professor/Director of Choral Activities. Dr. Freeman actually holds a joint position with the Richmond Symphony Chorus, so along with being a conductor for VCU choirs, she is also the director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus. She is actually really new to VCU, just joining the faculty at the beginning of the Fall 2014 semester. She has lived in Richmond since 2007 but has worked here since 2005 as the director of the Richmond Philharmonic orchestra while still living in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Freeman teaches and conducts the Commonwealth Singers and Choral Arts Society. She also oversees the Vocal Chamber Ensemble, a group that is student led and faculty coached. In her free time she runs, cooks, reads and is a volunteer at the Robinson Theater here in RVA. I asked her if it was difficult balancing so many different choirs.
“I don’t think that when you are a professional musician there is such a thing as balance because you are lucky enough to be doing what you love as a living,” said Freeman. “So there is so much overlap between work and love that you’re sort of doing it all the time anyways; what you love and what is part of your humanity is your job.”
Dr. Freeman is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She did her undergrad at Northwestern University where she studied vocal performance. She then went on to Boston University to get her MMus (Masters of Music) in choral conducting. Finally she got her DMA (Doctorate of Music) at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Believe it or not, Dr. Freeman did not even know that teaching could be a profession!
“I didn’t know it was possible,” she said. “I didn’t even realize that you could be a professional musician. I didn’t even know teachers were paid; they all loved what they did and I didn’t think it was possible.”
Like any teacher, Dr. Freeman learns from her students every day she teaches.
“I always learn from my students,” she said. “When I’m with students I always learn how I am able to learn. Teaching reminds me that I have to learn things and continue learning things. I learn what they experience and what they hear. Students change the way you think, particularly in the arts.”
Dr. Freeman is a perfect example of someone who figured out what she was passionate about and worked hard to pursue it. She gave some great advice to anyone at VCU pursuing a music education degree.
“Fully commit,” she said. “Specifically to each moment you are doing it. It is really hard to do a career in music, it is very competitive. If you’re not fully committed to it you’re going to fall short, rehearsals are precious, spend every second in rehearsal.”
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