At Heidelberg, She Fell in Love With the World
Mary Ann Willson Basinger and her husband, Alan
By Mary Ann Willson Basinger
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."
At Heidelberg, I fell in love: with the world, with music, with my husband, Alan. I was provided with the cornerstones of scholarship as well as the environment and freedom to be creative, resourceful and confident. Heidelberg's curriculum encouraged us to become citizens of the world. (Although Dr. Ohl was often surprised when I added History of the Middle East or oil painting or aesthetics to my course of study.)
The music school was full of skillful artist-teachers who were superb musicians and mentors. For me, especially, it was violinist Ronald Pepper who shared many hours of lessons and discussions to help me develop the foundation of a violinist's skills and musicianship, creativity and scholarship so that I could become my own best teacher.
At Heidelberg I had time: time to develop skills—musical, thinking/problem-solving, leadership; time to join in; time to develop a clear personal vision; time for solitude and reflection; time to be creative, to color outside of the lines, to be energetic and alive, to fail, to be comfortable, to experiment, to ask questions and debate, to celebrate, and to seize the day.
Heidelberg was my time and a platform for becoming a lifelong learner. After many years of marriage and family, of studying and teaching Suzuki pedagogy, of playing in symphonies and quartets, I find that each day is like an unfinished symphony—a new composition, a life symphony with tone, rhythm, melody and life experiences, a cycle of creation and family legacy. As Mozart said, "Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius." At Heidelberg, I fell in love. Thanks.
You can give future students the time and place to discover their true selves—and to create your own meaningful legacy—with a gift in your estate plan. To learn more, contact Doug Kellar at 419-448-2888 or dkellar@heidelberg.edu.