The Department of Music at Northern Michigan University is highlighting a series of upcoming performances this February, including several senior voice recitals and opera scenes that showcase the depth of its vocal program.
Voice faculty member Keri Lee Pierson, who teaches private lessons to music and music education majors along with additional coursework as needed, is also an active performer. She and her husband, guitarist Christopher Schoelen, perform as a voice and classical guitar duo (Deux Saisons), presenting repertoire that spans from the Renaissance to contemporary works. The pair recently completed their first studio album, made up entirely of commissioned pieces, including music by Christopher Cerrone, whose recent album earned a Grammy Award.
Pierson is looking forward to several student milestones this semester. In addition to senior recitals by Ava Fett and Michael Buhler (which feature collaborations with faculty pianists and chamber musicians), she is guiding mezzo-soprano Kassidy Bush through her capstone performances. Senior recitals serve as a culmination of years of study, offering students the opportunity to demonstrate artistic growth and stage presence while collaborating with fellow musicians.
Bush, originally from Grand Haven, chose NMU in part to be closer to family and to pursue her musical studies in a setting that balances strong academics with access to the outdoors. For her senior recital at Reynolds Recital Hall, she revisited repertoire studied throughout her time at NMU, selecting pieces that continue to resonate with her artistically. Her program includes two arias by Cherubino from "Le nozze di Figaro," allowing her to explore the youthful energy and dramatic nuance of the character. She will close the classical portion of the evening with the Habanera from "Carmen," a work she previously performed at the department’s scholarship competition.
Bush will be joined by collaborative pianist Jan Brodersen for the recital. Later that evening, she will present a second performance at the Ore Dock Brewing Company, expanding beyond classical repertoire into jazz-influenced selections. Inspired by iconic vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, and Natalie Cole, Bush has developed an interest in jazz and theatrical styles alongside her classical training. The Ore Dock performance will feature additional collaborators and aims to recreate the ambiance of a jazz club setting. The venue has donated the space, and donations collected at the door will benefit the Marquette Women’s Center.
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Pierson and Bush about the upcoming events:
Beyond individual recitals, Pierson is also directing Opera Workshop scenes from Street Scene by Kurt Weill, introducing students and audiences to the work of the German-born composer who immigrated to the United States during the rise of the Nazi regime and built a significant career in American musical theater.
Together, these performances reflect both the academic rigor and the strong community connections fostered by the Department of Music, offering students opportunities to collaborate on campus and share their artistry throughout Marquette.
Visit nmu.edu/music/ for more information.
