Susan Shirel, voice teacher and Belle Canto director, was recently accepted into the Doctor of Arts and Music program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Shirel will study primarily music education with a secondary emphasis in vocal performance. Although the program will keep her away from Harding, Shirel said she is excited to return to her home state and be closer to her family. Apart from proximity to relatives, Ball State offered many other advantages that Shirel could not turn down.
“(Ball State) is one of only two D.A. programs in the country, and the advantage of the Doctor of Arts degree is that it allows for two areas of emphases,” Shirel said. “Being able to have two emphases means that I don’t have to choose between my two passions: music education and voice.”
Shirel was awarded a full doctoral assistantship in music education, which means that during her time at Ball State, she will be working for the department in exchange for a tuition waiver. This is a prestigious award that Shirel said she is grateful for because of the opportunity to continue teaching while earning her doctorate.
Cindee Stockstill, producer of theatre, has worked with Shirel for three years and said she is an amazing vocal coach and music teacher. Stockstill said her love for students, energy and joy will be greatly missed while she is away.
Senior music major Austin Collum agreed.
“Ms. Shirel makes an impact by legitimately caring about her students and being able to balance education with spirituality,” Collum said.
Collum has spent a lot of time with Shirel while being in the fall musical and Spring Sing, both of which Shirel was involved with.
“She has become like a mom to me, and I’m going to miss being able to run into Grand Central Station (her office, as known by students) and ask her anything,” Collum said.
Not only will her presence on campus be missed, but Shirel explained that Harding’s presence in her life will be missed as well. She said Harding’s community has made a big impact on her life and being away from that will be hard.
“I know I am blessed to work with caring, talented colleagues, staff and students, and I will miss celebrating with them when they achieve things bigger than they expect and supporting them when there are struggles,” Shirel said. “I will also miss being on the receiving end of that support system.”
The program requires Shirel to be away from Harding for three years, but she said she plans to return upon completion of the program. Shirel said she wants her students to know that transitions are not things to be feared, but celebrated.
“God’s vision for our life is always better than our own,” Shirel said.
