Mary Ann Siefke, ’06, graduated with a degree in music education. She came to Muskingum as a transfer student at the urging of a mentor and a few close friends. Of her first visit to campus, she says, “From the moment I stepped foot on campus for my audition, I knew MU was the right fit for me. I was treated as a unique individual with important gifts to share with the entire community. It felt like ‘home’ and I was one of the family.”
In 2007, Siefke enrolled at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, where she began work on a Master of Arts in Church Music. Of her decision Siefke says, “I am a lifelong Lutheran and have always felt called to serve the church. Serving as a Minister of Music simply seemed to be the best use of my gifts – gifts that were brought to light and nurtured during my time at MU. Through study in music and religion classes, during my undergraduate work, I knew I wanted to attain an advanced degree with a theological emphasis. I chose Seminary because of the values of character and service I learned and witnessed at MU. It was at MU, from peers, faculty, and staff, that I experienced daily what it was to be a person of faith and integrity.”
Siefke feels she is currently “living my call as a teacher and leader.” She serves as a Minister of Music at two Lutheran churches, and she is actively involved with the Association of Luther Church Musicians. She also teaches General Music at St. Boniface Catholic School, where she also has a private voice and piano studio. Additionally, Siefke directs an adult community choir.
At MU, Siefke learned “the importance of setting high professional standards and lofty personal goals.” She also learned the value of networking as more than making acquaintances, but building “interpersonal relationships based on integrity and mutual growth.”
Of her experiences at Muskingum, Siefke says, “MU can be compared to a small global community filled with entrepreneurs, teachers, and leaders ready to change the world one Muskie ‘Hello’ at a time! I never expected to feel so accepted, loved, and understood as I did at MU. I expected to meet peers focused on education for personal gain. I did not expect to collaborate with peers focused on changing the world!”
Siefke appreciates that “Muskingum professors are not only passionate about their art but its discovery and advancement through teaching others. These are lessons that I learned from many music professors, however, the late Dr. William Schlacks truly embodied these words.”