Finding Her Voice Through Music and Research
For LJ Hansen, earning a master's degree from DU's Lamont School of Music and Theatre has been as much about building confidence as it has been about mastering performance and finding her own voice.
LJ Hansen. Photo by Hannah Fulk.
LJ Hansen, who recently earned a master’s degree from the Lamont School of Music and Theatre at the University of Denver, discovered that in finding her voice, the most profound part of her experience was that she found her community.
Hansen's culminating graduate project combined scholarship and artistry in a recital centered around author Maureen Murdock's concept of "The Heroine's Journey," a feminist reinterpretation of the traditional hero's journey. The hourlong performance featured music in four languages, all performed from memory, and was accompanied by extensive program notes that explored each work's lyrics, composers, and musical structure.
"I analyzed the lyrics, researched the composers' biographies, and looked closely at the music itself," Hansen said.
Working closely with Lamont faculty mentor Heidi Melton, Hansen embraced a feminist approach to musical research and performance, uncovering stories and perspectives often overlooked in classical music.
While the academic work was rewarding, Hansen says the community she found in the Lamont School of Music was the most meaningful aspect of her experience at DU.
"The best part about my program was the community of singers," she said. "A lot of music programs are very competitive, but it did not feel like that in this program."
Instead of viewing one another as competitors, Hansen and her peers fostered a supportive environment that encouraged growth and collaboration.
That sense of community has shaped her future ambitions. Long determined to pursue a career in opera, Hansen now hopes to create spaces where musicians feel empowered to explore, experiment, and connect with one another through music.
Looking back, Hansen is most proud of the confidence she gained during her time at the University of Denver.
"There were pieces I would have been intimidated to perform when I was 19," she said. "I wondered whether I was the right person to bring them to life."
Pursuing graduate school helped Hansen answer that question and many others throughout her academic journey. By challenging herself to take on difficult musical pieces and to trust her abilities, Hansen discovered she was capable of far more than she had imagined and found her voice along the way.
