Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2012 - (Page 42)

one step ahead My Double Life I’ve been singing my whole life, but I really fell in love with it when I began voice lessons in ninth grade. Throughout high school, I participated in all the choirs and a cappella groups I could find. I had cousins who decided to pursue music careers, but I’d never seriously considered it. My parents stressed how impractical a music degree was, urging me to pursue a “real” college major. Knowing how hard it would be to support myself as a musician, I agreed. So during high school, I focused on both music and academics, loving it all. I knew that eventually I’d have to choose between the two, but that day seemed far off. Four years later, I still haven’t had to choose. When it came time to apply to college, I found myself struggling: Did I want a degree in one of the liberal arts, or did I want to sing? I didn’t want to study in a conservatory full time. What would I fall back on for financial support if I didn’t cut it as a musician? I didn’t want to give up music entirely. Maybe I would cut it and find a job I was really passionate about. When I researched double-degree programs, I found what I was looking for. Several colleges offer programs where you can study music at a conservatory while completing a bachelor’s degree in another subject. Popular programs include Columbia, Rochester, Oberlin, Lawrence, Tufts, and Johns Hopkins. I chose the program at Johns Hopkins and the Peabody Conservatory. I dove into freshman year excited, ready to tackle degrees in both vocal performance and international by Hannah Elson relations. But as the year progressed, I felt I was living two lives. I shuttled between the Hopkins and Peabody campuses at least twice a day, running from choir rehearsal to political science classes. This dual existence has definitely had its ups and downs. On one hand, I’ve had double the class choices and double the friends. Whenever I tire of being at Hopkins, I can head over to Peabody for awhile, and vice versa. The downside is that I always feel pulled between the two, not able to commit fully to either. Being a musician is a full-time job, and I haven’t been able to practice as much as I would need to in order to reach a professional level. And at Hopkins, I haven’t had time to complete as many international studies internships as I would have liked. But while balancing these pursuits has been challenging, the opportunity to pursue both of my passions is well worth the effort. As a junior, I’m starting to think about what I want to do after college. I still haven’t chosen between music and academics, because I’ve realized I don’t have to. I’ve worked hard to become a well-rounded student with many interests and passions. I plan to take a year off after college to focus full-time on music and see if I’m interested in pursuing it further. If not, I can study international relations in graduate school or find an entry-level position in the field. Choosing a major is a big decision, but there really are no dead ends: most colleges allow you to switch majors as late as junior year. As long as you work hard in the program you choose and love what you’re doing, you’ll be able to do anything you like. I’ve heard about kids majoring in English and deciding to become doctors, of physics majors who attend law school. If you stay true to your passions and have a good attitude, things will fall into place. They certainly are for me. Hannah Elson is a junior at Johns Hopkins university in Baltimore, MD. When she’s not busy pursuing a double degree, Hannah participates in Model united nations and enjoys playing the piano, knitting, and reading to inner-city elementary school students. FlICkr/letIDeASCoMPete 42 imagine Mar/Apr 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2012

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2012
Big Picture
In My Own Words
Theater Bound
Art Song
Out of My Head
Playwright’s Journal
Play(wright) in Progress
For All Time
My Life in Felt and Foam
Preserving the Golden Past of the Silver Screen
An Actor and a Critic
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Broadcom MASTERS
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2012