Martha Hellermann
Martha Hellermann
Education
- B.M.- Lawrence University
- M.M- Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Background
What year did you start working at WCM?
2022
Why did you choose to work at WCM?
Growing up in Milwaukee, I have always admired WCM and the wonderful faculty they employ, their mission to guide musicians of all ages in learning, and an overall commitment to bringing music into the community. I became even more excited about the Conservatory and its ideals after seeing the amount of recent work put into outreach and serving the greater Milwaukee area through programs like Smart Start and Connections. The conservatory is a beautiful, unique, and versatile institution that truly believes in its faculty and staff and works hard to enrich students as well as the community through the power of music!
Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.
Despite having the privilege of performing in regional and international operas and musicals, singing oratorio repertoire with professional orchestras, and performing solo recitals, my fondest musical memory took place at an assisted living center in Marinette, Wisconsin. At many points during my vocal journey, I have struggled with performance anxiety and self doubt. During the height of this, I decided to travel up north and visit my grandma who struggled with Dementia. My grandma had a piano in her room as well as some jazz standard song books. I took out her old books and decided to sing and play through them for her. My grandma didn’t know who I was at the time, but she could sing and recite the words to every song I played. It brought both of so much joy and one of my most meaningful musical experiences.