One on One with Joanna

Joanna Fuchs,Senior,
Music History; Minor: History
Polk, PA

How I got to YSU.
I was born in Franklin, PA, attended Franklin Area Senior High School, and was involved in—among other things—band, National Honor Society, and the tennis team. It was my band director who pushed me toward a career in music. He had met Glenn Schaft earlier and suggested Dr. Schaft as a great teacher. This is how I came to know the Dana School of Music and Youngstown State. As soon as I came to visit YSU, I knew I was meant to be here. The faculty and students at Dana were very friendly and encouraged a positive learning environment. During my years at YSU, my music history classes with Dr. dos Santos allowed me to find the career that fit my personality. Those classes gave me a foundation in conducting research and the confidence to take chances—and resulted in my being a delegate at the Bartók’s Orbit International Conference in Budapest. My plans for the future include a graduate school and entrance into a Ph.D. program to continue my music history studies.

What surprised you most about YSU?
I came from a small town in western Pennsylvania, and I had to start a new life here in the residence hall. People were friendly, and it wasn’t hard, but you have to find your own group. For me, it was the music students.

How has YSU changed you?
I’ve gained a lot of confidence that I didn’t have when I was in high school. We do critiques of our performances—I’m a percussionist—and you have to learn not to be afraid of failure.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishments at YSU?
Besides my playing in the various music performance groups—the Percussion Ensemble and YSU Marching Pride —it would be my Bartók research. Béla Bartók is a national hero in Hungary, and since I’m Hungarian, I decided to explore his life and music in a research paper. I was the youngest and only undergraduate presenter at an international Bartók conference in Budapest this spring.