Isabella Walsh
(Bachelor of Music in Voice and Philosophy Double Major)
“Music chose me: My family all loves music and with it being such an integral part of my early childhood, I can’t imagine a world in which I don’t sing or make music.”
Isabella Walsh’s journey into the UCSC Music Department began in her first quarter, when she auditioned for Concert Choir. Encouraged to pursue further auditions for voice lessons and Chamber Singers, she decided to major in classical voice. Although not her original plan, her choice to be involved led her to discover the “wonderful community”, “amazing faculty”, and “supportive environment” that has been present every step of her college experience.
Everyone’s music journey is unique, and for Isabella it all started in elementary school. In the third grade she began taking keyboard lessons, and by the fourth grade, she began her choral studies. This early involvement ultimately led to her taking voice lessons focused in Contemporary Music in the eighth grade and to joining the advanced ensemble early in high school. Since coming to the University, she has continually participated in lessons, choir, and numerous UCSC Opera Productions.
Music has contributed many things to Isabella’s life, but perhaps one of the most important is the sense of community. She’s always found such a beautiful, deeply supportive community having met almost all of her closest friends through shared music spaces. Music is a central part of her life—whether it’s the joy she gets from listening to music in her downtime, practicing, rearranging pieces, or hosting open mics. Even the stress of keeping up with the demands of being a music student do not outweigh her passion for it. For her, the challenges are always worth it, because there is always more to learn and perform.
As a musician, personal and professional growth takes many forms. During her undergraduate years, one of her most significant experiences was her time with the on-campus a cappella group Cloud 9. Serving as the group’s Music Director for three years, she learned how to lead a rehearsal and collaborate with peers in a semi-professional setting. While she says she still has much to learn, she acknowledges that her time with Cloud 9 has helped deepen her understanding of both herself as a musician and her growth as a leader.
Though Isabella is still uncertain of her career path after graduating this winter, she aspires to work in arts administration.
Q&A
How have the resources within the department contributed to your growth as a musician? And what resources have contributed to your growth the most?
“The resources in the department have contributed immensely to me as a musician. Scholarships for voice lessons have contributed to my growth the most. For example, in my lessons with Sheila Willey, I am learning to sing an entirely new genre (classical) while becoming stronger in other previously studied genres. Apart from singing, I appreciate the Keyboard Fundamentals Series where I’ve learned how to play keyboard at no cost. I have become much more proficient in keyboard in a way I had once never thought feasible.”
What advice would you give to anyone interested in joining the music department or any sort of music studies at UCSC?
“Get involved in as much as you can, and take every opportunity.”
Written By Maddison Ramirez