Faculty Spotlight: Janean Freeman
0Written By Sarah Hackworth
Janean Freeman of Spencer, Ind., has taught at the University of Pikeville for 10 years. Before that, she spent 15 years working in public radio serving as music host, assistant music director, program director, and station manager. Freeman has sung with the New York Philharmonic and performed in a variety of operas and musicals. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi collegiate honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Freeman said her favorite part of her job is the UPIKE students, especially the music students.
“Overwhelmingly, the voice students here are passionate about their art. They soak up the knowledge I impart because they want to be better, stronger, more expressive singers. I feel fortunate to have worked with such a fine pool of students,” she said.
Freeman said she has learned much from the kindness exposed to and the passion people apply to continually improve their quality of life in the mountains.
As it is Freeman’s last semester teaching at UPIKE, she said she wants her students to remember that no matter what may happen in their lives, their art will always be there, and it will never leave them. Freeman said that one thing she will remember when she leaves is the spirit, motivation, and enthusiasm that the students carry.