The TCU College of Fine Arts is preparing to graduate an outstanding fall 2023 class. Graduates including Faith Adams from the School of Music and Sara Morris from the Department of Fashion Merchandising, share their postgraduate plans to “Lead On, Creatively.”
Faith Adams
Music
Faith Adams ’23
Why did you choose TCU?
TCU is a hidden gem for music students because it provides undergraduate performance opportunities that most other universities cannot. I chose TCU because of this and the encouragement from School of Music faculty members who display genuine interest in me as a person and an artist.
Tell us about your internships and involvement during your time at TCU.
I have participated in two opera programs during my time at TCU. In summer 2021, I performed with the Taos Opera Institute in New Mexico, where I studied with industry professionals and partook in weekly public performances. Most recently, I performed with the Manhattan Opera Studio in New York City. With the company, I made my 2023 Carnegie Hall debut and participated in two productions of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” as Pamina and Papagena at the National Opera Center in Manhattan.
Who most impacted your TCU experience and why?
Assistant Professor Twyla Robinson and Dr. Corey Trahan have been integral to my education at TCU. Professor Robinson has been a pillar of support for me as a performer and human being, and her mentorship has granted me a technical skill set I never dreamed of having as an undergraduate. Dr. Trahan’s devotion as the director of TCU Opera has provided students, including me, the opportunities to participate in professional productions of the highest caliber. I owe him immense gratitude for his trust in offering me the chance to perform principal roles as an undergraduate artist, and those experiences have prepared my trajectory towards the opera industry.
What’s next for you?
I’ve entered the competitive process of applying for graduate school, and I hope to join a performance-based master’s program in fall 2024 and continue my operatic training and education. The graduate audition process is slightly later than the undergraduate, so I likely won’t be committed to a specific program until the spring.
What advice would you give to other students pursuing a career in the fine arts?
There is no right or wrong path towards success in a fine arts career. It can be challenging not to compare your progress with that of others, but there is no single timeline for how you approach your education and career. The best thing you can do for yourself is cultivate the passion for what you love to do, and everything else will fall into place around that.
Sara Morris
Fashion Merchandising
Sara Morris ’23
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I transferred to TCU because it was a school I had always been interested in, and I knew several alumni who were very successful in their careers. The fashion merchandising program stood out because students must have a minor and complete an internship before graduation. Both requirements have allowed me to stand out from other applicants and gain valuable industry experience.
Tell us about your internships and involvement during your time at TCU.
I was a fashion wholesale intern for Scott Harner’s Showroom in the Dallas World Trade Center. The internship provided hands-on industry experience and the opportunity to work directly with buyers. I was also part of the Fashion Merchandising Honor Society, which was extremely rewarding.
Who most impacted your TCU experience and why?
Honestly, there were so many professors who impacted my experience at TCU. I had Instructor Stephanie Bailey for several classes that were more design-focused and that was something that I struggled with. Professor Bailey went above and beyond to make sure I did well and that I was not only successful in her classes but also that I enjoyed them. She is one of the professors who made my experience in the TCU fashion program so successful and memorable.
What’s next for you?
I hope to become a buyer for a large fashion retailer and use the skills I learned from the program and my professors to achieve my career goals.
What advice would you give to other students pursuing a career in the fine arts?
If you are passionate about your dream, that makes all the difference. I felt defeated and wanted to give up at times, but those trials have helped me become a well-rounded individual and candidate. Also, take advantage of your professors who have extensive industry experience and can give you a wealth of knowledge and advice.