Giving back through musical mentorship

Meet professional singer and Meliora Collective mentor Sabrina Learman ’89E

Tell us about your time as a student (favorite classes, clubs, memories, etc.)

My time as a student was spent mostly on the Eastman School of Music campus. I was a voice major and was so delighted to be in a conservatory atmosphere where my job was to practice and study music. I loved everything – how small the school was, that there was a naturally collaborative spirit among the students, the opportunities to perform new student composer works, sing with the jazz ensemble, perform in operas and recitals, and all the rest!

I also spent quite a bit of time on the River Campus and I really enjoyed that dual-campus life. I remember going through all the cool underground tunnels in the winter, seeing the Yellow Jackets in concert, dancing at a Viennese Waltz Night, attending Asia Night, having a blast on Dandelion Day, taking a class where we performed a play in German (scariest moment of my life), going to movies, and just enjoying being there – especially because we didn’t have a traditional campus at Eastman.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

I chose Eastman because of the gut feeling I had when I visited and auditioned. Unlike other schools, everyone was sincerely welcoming, the audition experience was wonderfully organized and thoughtful, and the sense of playfulness, independence and professionalism among the students was palpable. My gut was right. Everything I witnessed and felt at my audition was present throughout my four years at Eastman; all facets of that education formed my positive spirit going into my professional life. I learned by example to be extraordinarily prepared, reliable, responsive, collaborative, responsible for my actions, communicative, and a trustworthy colleague. These are essential ingredients for a life in music and teaching, of course, and they are vital for any career. Having been mentored in such a way has opened so many doors for me in my life as a musician and educator.

What inspired you to get involved and volunteer? Feel free to touch on your mentorship experience.

Since I felt so cared for during my time at Eastman, I have always wanted to give back to Eastman and the University in the same vein. I could never fully express the degree to which I cherish the opportunity to help my current college students embrace their work and opportunities with that level of care. What I have to give at this point in my life is some wisdom (I hope!), tactics for making big life decisions, experience carving out a career path, hindsight about mistakes I’ve made, and a sincerely supportive ear. Being a mentor to an Eastman singer this last semester was incredibly rewarding and heartwarming honor. I am quite sure we will stay connected for years to come.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

That’s an easy one! It’s such a simple way to demonstrate my appreciation for the education I received and it keeps me extra tied to my cherished college buddies and other Eastman/University of Rochester alums who are in my area. Through the Meliora Collective, I learned that another Eastman graduate and I had been teaching at the same institution for years without realizing it, and it was wonderful to reconnect with him.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?

There are so many ways to define “involvement” – doing something small can truly help a student or the University. Do you have an hour to spare each month? Then mentoring takes just that much time. Got a hankering to hang out with alums? Maybe you’d like to organize a coffee time in a convenient area. That’s what I’m going to do next because I think it’s meaningful to bring people together and have time to talk about life.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I have been thinking a lot about what I would do differently if I could go back in time to my four years at Eastman. My advice to myself would be an urgent call to truly take in my college experience while it is happening and to exude appreciation in the moment. I often remind my current college students that there will likely never be another time in their lives when their job is simply to learn and study what they love. What a gift that is!