Wisdom from the Class of 2025
The end of the year at the School of Music includes juries, recitals, finals and more for students and faculty. Two of our graduating students shared their thoughts from their time spent at the University of Louisville.
"For any incoming student to the School of Music I would say this: come in with an open heart and mind, and let your passion be your guide," advises Henry Davidson, 2025 graduate in music performance and pedagogy.
As a scholarship recipient in the School of Music, Henry felt at ease during studies, knowing that he had support. It made time in school much more comfortable and let him put all of his focus into being the best student and player possible.
Henry experienced tremendous growth through his career at the School of Music. His research, teaching and leadership skills all blossomed due to the opportunities he had within the school and our guitar program. "My personal taste in repertoire has also grown." Henry describes his increased appreciation for contemporary music which resulted from his exposure to new styles and composers.
We asked about a defining moment in his college journey and he had one in mind: "a very specific moment that I believe would define my collegiate career was my experience in guitar ensemble, preparing and performing Javier Farias’ Arauco. This opened my ears to a new style of music, and it also challenged me as a player like I had never been challenged before. It was also a great experience to collaborate closely and bond with ensemble members."
After graduation he plans to continue his education at the Eastman School of Music, pursuing a Doctorate in Performance and Literature and an additional Master’s in Music Leadership.
"Find time to celebrate your successes during college. Music school has lots of ups and downs, so find your support group, and lean on them when you need to," said Stephanie Lawson, 2025 music therapy graduate and Presser Scholar.
As a recipient of the 2025 Presser Scholarship, Stephanie was honored for her musical and academic excellence and her demonstrated leadership and service. We saw evidence of her passion in the music therapy showcase where she both conducted and played for our Warm Hearts Choir and All-Abilities Band.
Stephanie appreciated how others invested in her education, and she was grateful for their commitment to her success. She grew more confident during time at UofL. "Music therapy majors end up being a close-knit group because we literally practice therapy on each other, so I grew to be more comfortable with trying new things and failing in front of others. I also learned to be proud of myself, whether it was recognizing my strengths or owning up to mistakes."
"Being accepted for an internship at Norton Healthcare made me feel as if all my hard had work paid off." Her resilience has shown through after the isolation during Covid. She says she was eager to start over in a new place and make connections with new people.
Stephanie plans to stay in Louisville to pursue her music therapy career. She would like to eventually start a music therapy program at Hildegard House, a nonprofit hospice in the Butchertown area.