Her mother heard her singing nonsense songs through the monitor when she was a baby. She’s played piano since age seven. By age 10, she could hum practically all of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” having attended the Joffrey Ballet’s annual performance with her mother since kindergarten.
Junior Claire Ziegler, classically trained in singing since age 11, has always loved music.
“I honestly don’t know how I could live without it,” she said.
As one of five winners of this year’s Concerto Competition, she will sing with the Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra in March. She has worked with the orchestra before, singing the part of the Sandman in an excerpt from Humperdinck’s “Hänsel und Gretel” alongside adjunct professors Kristi Matson and Cynthian Knight last semester.
Professor of Music and Orchestra Director James Holleman said he knew Ziegler was a professional at the first rehearsal for the Humperdinck. He was impressed with her poise performing a solo in front of an orchestra, sharing a stage with professors.
According to Ziegler’s voice teacher, Melissa Osmond, and Holleman, she’s an ideal student: it is not just her performing talents that make her a good musician but also her preparedness and dedication.
Holleman, who has taught Ziegler in the College and Chamber Choirs since fall of her freshman year, said that Ziegler benefits her fellow students by being prepared, engaged, and inquisitive. Ziegler has a quiet personality, so she is not an obvious leader, he said, but she is a fine role model he hopes other students notice.
Senior Aaron Sandford, who has accompanied her, said “I think she’s pretty much the model for how to be prepared and easy to work with.”
He said he didn’t have many stories to tell about Zeigler, because she’s so responsible.
“Great stories come out of mishaps more than when things just happen smoothly all the time,” Sandford said, “and things generally happen smoothly when Claire is involved.”
Ziegler attributed her musical success largely to regular practice, which gives her plenty of time to work on her pieces and helps her remember proper technique.
She also credited her mother’s encouragement and sacrifices, such as paying for music lessons and “driving a total of thousands of miles over the years” to take her to them.
“She’s always been my biggest support in all things musical,” Ziegler said.
Ziegler said she loves the performance aspect of music, seizing as many opportunities to perform as she can. She said that despite being quiet and reserved, she has never had stage fright. Instead she thrives on having an audience.
She also loves music as a study.
“I love the drama and music’s power to move people,” Ziegler said, “and yet I’m also fascinated by the more scientific side of how music actually works. I think that’s why I’m going into music theory.”
Ziegler plans to study music theory in graduate school, earn a Ph.D., and become a music theory professor.
“One of the things that strikes me is just her eagerness to learn, her enjoyment of it, her excitement when she discovers something new or a new aspect of theory that enhances her understanding of how music works,” said Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition Mathew Fuerst, who teaches Ziegler theory. “She’s a joy to have in the class.”
She interned with a music school near her home last summer, teaching a basic music theory class to middle and high school students. She planned her own lessons with help from her mother, an instructional designer.
The internship has led her to solidify her plans. It confirmed her desire to teach music theory but also led her to realize she finds advanced music theory topics most exciting. In order to focus on these topics, she plans to teach at the college level.
But for those who wish to hear more of her, fear not. She plans to continue performing, even after becoming a professor.
“I think no matter what I’m doing as a career,” she said, “I will always keep performance in my life somehow.”
