Professor of Music Mary Ellen Haupert has served at Viterbo University for 25 years. She founded the One-of-a-Kind Chamber music series in 2008. “I love teaching music,” she said. “I enjoy the wide variety of subjects I teach, and it has been a great joy watching my students develop over the years.”

Q. Have you always loved music as early as you can remember?

A. Yes. My mother was an elementary school music teacher and had a lovely singing voice. She had us marching around the dining room table from a very early age—just so that we could “feel the beat.” My parents were both teachers, but still managed to pay for private lessons for five children on piano and each of our chosen band instruments. (It helped that my uncle was a band director and would get instruments at cost.) My mother was a great inspiration because she sang and played for us at a very early age. She modeled an appreciation for music that has remained with me.

Q. What drew you to the piano?

A. I wouldn’t say that I was drawn to the piano, because playing the piano was a requirement in my family. I can remember my siblings fighting with my mother about practicing, which I couldn’t really comprehend. For me, the piano was an expedition into the imagination and a medium for expression. I have an odd but vivid memory of playing Salim Palmgren’s May Night as a young girl and experimenting with sound. Since that time, there have been several captivating works that have helped me express what I couldn’t with mere words.

Q. Why is Viterbo special to you?

A. I “grew up” as a teacher at Viterbo. The institution has always fostered values and active learning in the classroom, but the students infuse youthful exuberance and goofiness that makes the work pure joy. My favorite projects are the Music History II research paper (which often leads to further research) and the Music Theory compositions (which are creative and personal).

Q. How has your strong Catholic faith shaped your career as a teacher?

A. My faith has taught me that sacrifice for the sake of the others is redemptive.

As a teacher, the prep and delivery for every lesson is less for me and more for my students. I often ask, “Do you understand the material? Are you excited about it?” If the answer is “no,” I need to give a little more.

Q. Who are your favorite composers?

A. Czech composer Antonín Dvořák and Estonian composer Arvo Pärt are two of my favorite composers. I am entranced by Dvořák’s chamber music and find Pärt’s choral works spiritually uplifting.

Q. If you were stranded on a deserted isle with only one recording, what piece of music would you choose?

A. I would choose Arvo Pärt’s TE DEUM recording, which was given to me by Tony Molina many years ago. Tony taught at UW-La Crosse for many years and became a close musical colleague after I was hired at Roncalli Newman Parish.

Q. You have traveled extensively. Why is this important to you?

A. Experiencing different cultures helps us to see beyond ourselves. Travel has always been important for growth and understanding. In this day and age, travel has become an imperative for world peace.