Lamont Staff Profile: Shawntisha Bailey
When Shawntisha Bailey talks about her work at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, one word comes up again and again: community. It’s the reason she looks forward to coming to campus each day, the lens through which she approaches academic advising, and the through-line that connects her own life as a performer, educator, and advocate to the students she serves.
Bailey joined Lamont in Fall 2023 as the School’s Academic Advisor, a role that places her at the center of students’ academic journeys from the moment they declare a major through graduation day. “I support students holistically from when they declare their program to when they graduate,” she says. On paper, that means helping students build degree plans, adjust schedules, and ensure they stay on track with requirements. In practice, it means something far broader: creating a space where students feel supported, seen, and empowered to navigate both the rigors of conservatory-level study and the complexities of life beyond the practice room.
Originally from Brookings, Oregon, a small coastal town surrounded by ocean and mountains, Bailey grew up immersed in the outdoors and the arts. Her connection to music began early: she was just three years old when she first performed onstage. “I always loved singing and being onstage,” she recalls. As she grew older, she added piano to her musical toolkit and developed a deep love for musical theatre, alongside interests in R&B and jazz. That combination of performance, versatility, and storytelling continues to shape both her artistic life and her advising philosophy.
Bailey’s path to higher education was intentional and focused. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Business with a vocal performance emphasis from the University of Colorado Denver in 2022, drawn by a desire to study contemporary music business—a niche field offered by only a handful of programs nationwide. She explored options on the East Coast but ultimately found herself drawn to Denver.
At Lamont, Bailey works closely with colleagues across the School and the University to ensure students receive seamless, comprehensive support. She collaborates frequently with Andrew Ferdig, Manager of Admission, and Stephen Campbell, Director of Admission, as new students are introduced to Lamont. She partners with Director Brian Pertl and Dr. Jack Sheinbaum, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, and maintains close ties with the Office of Academic Advising, degree auditors, and the Office of Graduate Education. “It’s very collaborative,” she says. “Supporting students well means everyone communicating and working together.”
What energizes Bailey most, however, is the people. “I love my job because of the department I work for,” she says. “Being an academic advisor is something I have natural strengths for, but I love being surrounded by musicians: the students, faculty, and staff, and all they are doing. There is so much talent and passion in this building.” Watching students grow from their first year to graduation is particularly meaningful.
Bailey brings a distinct set of strengths to her advising work: clear and compassionate communication, transparency, patience, and deep empathy. She strives to give students as many options as possible and to help them understand the implications of their choices. Just as importantly, she works to understand each student as an individual, recognizing that Lamont students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Today’s students, she notes, are navigating unprecedented challenges. They face intense pressure to excel academically and artistically while managing the broader stresses of the world around them—pressures that previous generations did not experience in the same way. Time management is a constant struggle, as students balance practice, coursework, performances, friendships, family responsibilities, and the need to care for their mental health. “They’re juggling life,” Bailey says.
At the same time, she sees significant strengths in this generation. One positive outcome of the pandemic, she observes, is that students are less afraid to advocate for themselves and to seek out resources. They are more willing to ask for help and to speak openly about their needs. While the social fabric of campus life is still recovering—students are still finding ways to build community that feel meaningful without becoming another obligation—Bailey is encouraged by students’ openness and engagement.
“They’re very able to stand up for what they believe in,” she says. “They’ll advocate for themselves or for other people. They’re not afraid to engage in dialogue and hold people accountable.” As artists, she believes, that fearlessness is a strength. “Having a belief system and standing on it, engaging in difficult conversations…that’s powerful.” Many students, she adds, are eager to share their stories and make genuine connections, often stopping by her office simply to talk.
Outside of her advising role, Bailey remains deeply active as an artist and educator. She teaches voice, acting, and piano at Pickering Creative Arts Academy, primarily working with students ages nine to eighteen. In the spring, she will serve as music director for a production of Alice in Wonderland at St. Mary’s Academy, a K–12 school. She will also direct the musical Mean Girls at Pickering. Her performance work continues as well: this summer, she will appear in Rent with Ballyhoo Denver, understudying Joanne and performing several smaller roles. The production will be directed by Rodney Hicks, a member of the original Broadway cast—an opportunity Bailey describes as especially meaningful.
And then there’s Grayson, her dog and what she affectionately calls her “assistant” of three and a half years. Grayson is Lamont’s unofficial emotional support animal, accompanying Bailey to work twice a week. He even has “office hours,” which Bailey includes in her advising emails. “Students look forward to it,” she laughs. For many, Grayson’s presence makes her office feel even more welcoming, a small but powerful reminder that support can come in many forms.
For Bailey, academic advising at Lamont is ultimately about relationships. It’s about meeting students where they are, helping them navigate challenges with clarity and compassion, and celebrating their growth as musicians and as people. In a community defined by artistry and ambition, she serves as a steady, empathetic guide, one who understands both the demands of the field and the humanity of the individuals pursuing it.
