Tâmila Freitas De Souza is a graduate student in the School of Music. She will be graduating this Spring with a Master of Music degree in flute and voice performance. Tâmila will be continuing her studies at the University of Iowa to pursue a DMA and was awarded the prestigious Iowa fellowship!

Interview with Tâmila:

Why did you decide to get your MM at MU?

"I want to become a University Professor one day and help students make music. In Brazil, a MM in performance is rare. This was a big opportunity and I have always dreamed of studying abroad. When I received the scholarship offer from MU I could see my dream becoming true."

What does it mean to you to be selected for the Iowa fellowship to pursue your DMA?

"It means literally everything! I worked very hard and only I know the struggles I have passed to get here. It means that my dream of becoming a University Professor will be possible. I don’t think I could ever have done my DMA at the University of Iowa without the fellowship. I want to do big things, not only for myself. I want to give and create opportunities for people who are talented and would never have a chance to study music just like they did with me."

Do you have a favorite memory from your experiences at MU? 

"There are so many! I will choose two of them. For voice, the duet from I I Capuleti e i Montecchi (The Capulets and the Montagues) by Bellini that I sang in the Opera Scenes. For flute, when I recorded the video with Prof. Dade for the American Protege Competition, and I won first place in the competition. The prize was to perform in Carnegie Hall. We worked hard until late to make this recording and Prof Dade told me I sounded so good. I was happy that night, even if I hadn't won the competition. Of course, winning was magical and felt so great."

Tell me how your professors, Prof Seitz and Prof Dade, have helped you throughout your degree?

"I think I could write two big books about this. I don’t think there is any easy way to develop and grow. It requires daily effort, baby steps progress and dedication. Prof. Dade and Prof. Seitz both are strong believers of that also. I am so grateful for both of them. I feel very lucky to be able to be their student and Mizzou is REALLY lucky to have them. They will teach you not only about music, but about life. I could count on both of them at any time for anything. They would be there for me and it is a big honor to be their student! I will carry their thoughts and teachings with me forever."

Professor Perspective:

"From my perspective, Tâmila has been a voracious music learner, and she bravely took on some very daunting technical changes that I introduced to her singing. In opera, she was a great colleague with all her peers, and interacted with everyone in a supportive and helpful way."

                                                                                                                                            -Professor Christine Seitz, voice

"Tâmila works incredibly hard in everything she does, whether it is memorizing the Taktakishvili Flute Sonata or preparing for her comprehensive exam. The result of this is an honest and unique artistic voice, one that is very special.  It is an absolute joy to work with her in the flute studio!"

                                                                                                                                                  -Professor Alice Dade, flute

Listen to Tâmila perform: