In this Summer@Eastman 2023 blog post, you can meet the S@E Marketing Intern: Violist and DMA Candidate Joyce Tseng, who, as you’ll read, is enjoying her many performing, educational, and professional development opportunities at Eastman and the University of Rochester.
Joyce representing Summer@Eastman at the Upstate New York College Fair, November 2, 2022 (Photo credit: Lauren Sageer)
My name is Joyce Tseng, and I’m a third-year DMA student at the Eastman School of Music. I major in viola performance and I am also a candidate for the Arts Leadership Program Certificate within Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership. Because I completed both my BM and MM at Eastman, I feel like I know almost everything about Eastman! I also hold a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Rochester, which I did at the same time I was pursuing my MM at Eastman.
Before I even set foot on campus, I had already heard many good things about Eastman: two of my favorite music teachers from high school graduated from here. I am truly blessed to have been a part of this wonderful school community, because all the great things my teachers raved about are absolutely true!
In addition to being one of the most prestigious music schools in the country, Eastman is surprisingly supportive and welcoming. I felt the warmth of the school community the moment I arrived at the orientation as a first-year student. The administration, faculty, and staff are all truly committed to helping you grow as a musician. My peers are also the most encouraging people in my life, and through our common love for the arts, I have made deep and meaningful friendships. I am so thankful to be part of the Eastman community.
Joyce with her teachers, Prof. George Taylor and Prof. Phillip Ying, after her MM recital, 2020 (Photo credit: Bobby Cheung)
At Eastman, faculty and staff are dedicated to helping you grow into a well-rounded musician. Their dedication inspires me artistically and has also led me to embark on my exciting journey of lifelong learning. It has been especially rewarding to be part of Eastman’s Arts Leadership Program, with its many opportunities for professional connections and experience. As part of my ALP internship, I am working with Dr. Sylvie Beaudette, Summer@Eastman Director, and Andrea Schuler, Summer@Eastman Program Coordinator, to prepare for the upcoming 2023 Summer Session. It is a joy working for them and I am thankful that they always go the extra mile to talk to me about issues in the music world.
The multiple learning opportunities I gained at Eastman have made me a more confident individual as I prepare to leave school. Although I did not pursue a dual degree between Eastman and the River Campus in my undergraduate years like some of my friends did, I was able to make the most of this connection within the University of Rochester: I obtained a second Master’s degree at the Warner School of Education while also working on my Eastman MM. A dual degree between different fields is not common at the Master’s level, but our graduate supervisor and Eastman administration were incredibly supportive during my Master’s studies. I have learned so much from my alma mater, and I look forward to giving back to the music community once I have completed my studies.
Performance of Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noel, 2019 Top row: Owen Cummings, Megan Wike, Joyce Tseng, Holly Spangenberg, Ariel Walton, Che Hong Liu, Amelia Libbey, Joao Raone, Emily Bartz Hutchinson. Bottom row: Lily Dunlap, Wednesday Hsu, Esther Ting, Lydia Becker, Samantha Andrew (Photo credit: Esther Ting