Tuesday, Feb 16, 2016
Westminster sophomore Lydia Stepanoff has always enjoyed music and math. So when it came time to choose a college and a major, it only seemed logical to find a school where she could major in both. Luckily, her first choice was Westminster Choir College, and the relationship with Rider University made that possible.
Acknowledging Westminster’s outstanding Music Education placement record and thinking ahead to her job prospects, she says, “I figured adding math will give me a leg up.”
It will probably take her five years to achieve that goal since she’ll graduate with two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Math and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. The elective requirements for each program are different, and she’s also in the rigorous Baccalaureate Honors program. Luckily, she also came to Westminster with 24 Advanced Placement credits, which gave her a head start.
Last year, Lydia primarily focused on music. This year she’s added math classes on the Lawrenceville campus: Linear Algebra and Calculus 4. “It’s nice that I have the opportunity to fit classes in from both campuses. The best part about the whole thing is that everyone is so willing to help out. Each of my counselors and the Deans are willing to do whatever it takes to help me and to make it work out for me.”
Reflecting on her first year at Westminster, she says that some of the most defining moments were the concerts, especially An Evening of Readings and Carols. “It’s a great moment to bring everyone together,” she says. “Also, the friends I’m made – so many people at Westminster are so inviting and nice.”
Lydia learned about Westminster from her high school choral conductor, Jonathan Lechner ’88. She didn’t attend any of Westminster’s high school summer programs, but she got a taste of those programs last summer when she was a counselor for the Middle School Vocal Institute and Musical Theatre camps.
A sophomore year is a busy one at any college. In addition to taking classes on both campuses, this fall she passed sophomore portfolio, a big part of her Music Education major. As a member of Westminster Schola Cantorum, Lydia will also participate in a concert tour of Virginia and North Carolina in March. She’s also working as a tutor at Mathnasium at the Princeton Shopping Center.
Reflecting on her decision to pursue music and math, Lydia says, “I’m lucky to have the opportunity to pursue both of the degrees that I want. Scheduling and the work load can be a challenge, but it will be worth it.”