Canadian student names music program, cultural diversity Southwestern’s main perks

Though the music program at Southwestern Community College was the initial reason Elizabeth Sadler came to Creston from Canada, she has been pleasantly surprised with another benefit the college offers: a rich cultural experience.

“I didn’t realize how much life experience I’d gain here,” said Sadler, 20. “Even though it’s a small town, there are people from all over – so many different states and countries. I think it’s helping shape me as a person.”

Sadler is a mezzo soprano vocalist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, studying professional music at SWCC. Now a sophomore, she is in SWCC’s top vocal jazz choir called Harmonic Convergence.

“It’s challenging because you have to be strong at your music and your notes,” Sadler said. “You have to really know your part and have a good listening ear.”

SWCC’s music program has ties to Winnipeg, as students and teachers travel there to perform in the summer as part of a touring vocal jazz camp. Sadler attended the camp and became acquainted with SWCC her junior and senior years of high school in Winnipeg.

After graduating high school, Sadler attended the University of Manitoba for one year before realizing she definitely wanted to pursue music. From there, her decision was simple. She applied to the SWCC music program. Her audition earned her a scholarship.

“I really like the program (at SWCC) – how fast-paced and how hard it is,” Sadler said. “It’s also unique because it’s kind of like a conservatory. We get to practice music all day long.”

This is an advantage of starting at a community college rather than a university, she said. She only has to take four general education courses; the rest of her time at SWCC is devoted to music.

At SWCC, students in the program are required to learn instrumental music as well. With no previous experience, Sadler has now picked up classical piano.

Her first year at SWCC, she was placed in the second-highest vocal group. This year, she is in the top group.

“The program is unique; it’s a one-of-a-kind curriculum,” said Jason Smith, SWCC vocal music instructor. “The reason this program exists in Iowa is because of students like her. She exceeds and has the strongest work ethic a (teacher) could hope for.”

Sadler also assists with the lowest choir, which consists of three freshmen.

“We practice usually two times a week for an hour,” she said. “I find music and teach them the parts from the piano. It’s really cool because I’m getting that teaching experience.”

Sadler is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is involved in the multicultural club on campus.

Creston has been quite a change for Sadler. Not only is she in a new country, but she’s in a relatively small, rural area. Her hometown of Winnipeg has a population of nearly 700,000.

“One thing I’ve noticed here is that places close really early,” Sadler said with a laugh. “I was used to going out with friends at 8 p.m. to a coffee shop and getting back before midnight, but here, you can’t go somewhere that late.”

Coming to Creston wasn’t her first time in the U.S. – she had previously been to Chicago and Washington, D.C., on family vacations – but it’s her first time in Iowa and her only experience studying abroad.

“The thing I really like about Creston is being able to experience that tight community,” Sadler said. “If I go to Wal-Mart, I almost always see someone I know.”

After Sadler graduates from SWCC this May, she plans to return home, transfer her credits back to the University of Manitoba and begin her bachelor’s degree in jazz studies there. She is considering pursuing an integrated education degree at the same time.

She may also take more French courses, as it’s her second language. Growing up, she did French immersion, a form of bilingual education, so she’s been learning the language since kindergarten.

“I really enjoy the history of it, the beauty of it,” Sadler said. “I hope to pursue that on the side, because back home, being the second language of Canada, it will be really helpful in finding a job.”

After she completes her undergraduate work, she plans to return to the U.S. to earn a master’s degree. Her dream school is the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Eventually, Sadler wants to combine her main passions, singing and teaching, into a career. She hopes to teach music performance and theory at the high school level, while continuing to perform.