True Stories
The Gold Standard
April Lindevald '77
We asked April Lindevald '77, a professional musician, to reflect on her educational experience at Washington College.
When I landed my first professional singing job with a renowned choral group that recorded, toured and had several Grammies under its belt, I was surprised to find I was already familiar with most of the first season's broad-ranging repertory; I had already sung it at Washington College! I found I also had the skills to read what I did not know as quickly as many of the seasoned veterans, and the stamina to withstand long hours of rehearsal and nightly performances. The stagecraft I learned in Tawes Theatre also gave me a solid foundation to rely upon as a professional performer through years of concertizing, and later in theater and opera chorus. I found myself ahead of the crowd at almost every step in my career path because of the education I had received at Washington College. Knowledge of languages, mathematics, form, historical and literary references and cultural trends were invaluable to me. I learned how to work toward a goal with diligence and determination, how to open my mind to the new and unfamiliar, and how to be a good team player, cooperating and compromising for the sake of a greater end—these are not only career skills, but life skills, transferable to almost any arena. They have served me well throughout the years.
How could little Washington College be responsible for so much of my success? The secret lay in a caring faculty, passionate and knowledgeable in their disciplines and willing to spend personal time and attention on the individual student. Add to that a lively classroom atmosphere; a rich and varied array of extracurricular activities which afforded us many opportunities for growth, performance, leadership and creativity; and flexible programming tailored to the talents and aspirations of the individual; this an extraordinary recipe for excellence!
A state-of-the-art facility can only add a new dimension to what has always been a gold standard in arts education. I am overjoyed that tomorrow's music and drama students at WC will enjoy the same quality education I had, but in a modern, spacious and well-equipped building. I applaud the patrons, donors, leaders and decision makers of our beloved alma mater for putting a high priority on quality arts education, and supporting a program that produces both excellent professional and avocational artists, and ultimately, better citizens of the world! Thank you, Washington College, with all my heart, and may your rich traditions long continue.