Listen to the Music and Read a Great Story: How To Get In To the School Of Your Dreams:

I knew. It didn’t take long, just a few notes. I think you may find this is true for you too.

I want you to listen and see if you agree. Here is a song performed by Genna Matthew:

https://soundcloud.com/genna-matthew/wait-list

One of my all time favorite stories about college admission is tied to this song. As you can tell by the title—wait list—it has a direct bearing on an admission decision. Since then, Genna has done wonderful things.

 Now there is more music and an EP. If you read Genna’s interview below you will hear about how she has progressed from a student to a talented musician who has a chance to make her mark.  I have been lucky to know her for quite some time and find her story one that I hope will inspire others to pursue their dreams too.

After that, I will talk about how her music changed the way I thought, not just about her, but about what should matter in the world of selective admission.

*********************************************************************************

Questions

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your family? Where were you born and where did you grow up?

 I was born here in Charlottesville, and lived out in Batesville until I was about four. We lived in a really close-knit, creative community out there, and I have a lot of really fond memories of that place, for having been so young. We then moved to Charlottesville, where we’ve been ever since. I have a wonderfully unique family (don’t we all?). My parents divorced when I was young, and have since remarried. So I’m lucky enough to be the youngest of a very large “patchwork-family quilt”.

You attended a wonderful secondary school. Can you talk about what you liked about it? How much stress was there among the students, most of whom want to attend highly selective colleges?

Yes I went to Saint Anne’s Belfield School here in Charlottesville. I started there in 7^th grade and continued through high school. It was a great place to go to school. It was definitely stressful at times, particularly as we started preparing for college applications, but working hard was just part of the norm there. Our teachers were always available to help outside of class time. They really cared about each of us as individuals and wanted to see us succeed in developing our unique strengths.

How did you go about deciding which schools to apply to? What were you looking for in your college experience?

I approached college applications like I approach many things in my life.. I went into it with about 100 ideas of what I wanted to do, and consequently applied to 11 or 12 universities, just to cover all the bases. But above all, I knew that I wanted to go to a school with a good music program, and live in a place where I could continue to pursue music outside of school. I was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, which was the top contender with UVA in my mind.

You have one of the best wait list stories I have ever heard (pun intended). Can you describe it some detail. (I would like to be able to have the song as a part of the interview/post if that is ok with you). I will talk about the reaction of the admission office in my comments after your answer.

So here I was, having applied to all these schools, one of which was UVA. UVA was a reach school for me, so when I was waitlisted I was excited, and pretty determined to get off that list. The thing I kept thinking about was that somehow I needed to show the folks at UVA that I was unique, not just another application on a desk. I was lucky enough to have an amazing college counselor, Jane McGuire. She suggested, as she often would when I was faced with a challenge, that I “write a song about it”. So that week I skipped out on the school-wide Field Day, and wrote Waitlist. At the time I think this was more of a cathartic idea – that I would write the song to channel my feelings and make myself feel better – but Jane and I quickly realized we needed to send it in to the admissions office, because, well, I had nothing to lose! They would either love it or hate it. But most importantly, it would show the folks at UVA who I really was.

When did you first get interested in music? Did you take lessons at an early age? Did you have teachers, mentors or someone else who inspired you?

 I have been singing for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved it. My dad was really musical, always singing and playing guitar. And as I mentioned before, the community I grew up in was very creative, musically and artistically, and so I think it was just something engrained in me from a really young age. I would sing in choirs at church and at school, started playing violin in 3^rd grade, and picked up guitar in about 6^th. I was always trying to do as much music as my school schedule would allow. I started taking guitar lessons from local legend, Devon Sproule. She is an absolutely incredible guitarist and singer, and if possible, an even better songwriter. She was the one who tasked me with writing my first song, and who first started to train me in songwriting. In high school I started attending the Music Resource Center here in town, which is a great place where kids can go after school to practice, record music, take lessons, and just hang out. It was there I met some incredible mentors, one if which, Julie Stossel, will be a dear friend for life. Julie really took me under her wing and continued to help me with my writing, recording, singing, you name it. I still send her songs I’m working on for her constructive feedback. It was at the MRC where I recorded my first album, which I released when I was 18.

When did you realize that you had a special talent as a singer? Are there singers you particularly admire and why do you look up to them?

Singing is something that always came naturally to me, and something I really loved from a young age. I was always in choirs, and vocal groups of some kind as a kid, and was constantly singing, even if I didn’t realize it. But I think it was in 7^th grade, with encouragement from a good friend, that I realized this was something I could really do in front of other people. It was then that I took up guitar, and started performing in high school, at school events, open mic nights and MRC events, and just fell in love with it.

Once I started songwriting, I could never separate singers from their lyrics, so I think I always admired songwriters more than I admired vocalists specifically. Growing up we listened to the classic oldies a lot, which I think inspired my pop tendencies. We also listened to classic Americana, like Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and Emmylou, who have always stuck with me. Later on I really looked up to lyricists like Ben Harper, the Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, and of course, Devon Sproule.  

Can you describe your transition to your university? You decided to go to a school that you have grown up around. Was it what you expected given this or did many things surprise you.

It was actually very strange to go to college where I grew up, especially at the beginning. That first year is when everyone moves away from home for the first time and discovers new places and different types of people, and I really missed out on that at the time. On the other hand, I had the advantage of being in a town that is very rich in local music, so I was able to release my first CD here in my first year, something I could not have done otherwise. I was always kind of jealous of my new college friends who got to come to UVA and “discover” Charlottesville, because it is such a little gem of a town. I always expected that going to college would be like discovering a totally new and different place, even if it was right around the corner. I think the most surprising thing was the sameness of it all.

Can you talk about what you chose to study? Can you name a few favorite classes/profs and why they were good?

For a long time I was a psychology and music double major. I loved my classes in both of these areas. However the double-major life wasn’t for me, particularly because I was so involved in extra-curricular work, so I eventually chose Psychology as my focus. But during that time I took some fantastic classes. Music theory and musicianship were incredibly useful. I was a member of the University Singers and Chamber Singers with Professor Slon, where I was able to put that music theory to good practice; I also took a great seminar class my last semester called the Psychology of Art, which was a perfect way to round off my studies at UVA.

Can you talk about the groups you were a part of?

My first semester at UVA was the first time in years I wasn’t involved in a musical group. I didn’t expect it, but I could really feel that void, and found I was really unhappy without music in my life. So in my second semester I joined a student-run, all-female a cappella group, Hoos In Treble (HIT), and UVA’s SATB choir, University Singers. I later joined Chamber Singers as well, which was a smaller subgroup of University Singers, and took voice lessons through the UVA music department. I have always loved choral and classical singing, so being a part of the University Singers and Chamber Singers was a great experience. It challenged me vocally and taught be a great deal about theory. My a cappella group in particular was an amazing group to be a part of, made up of incredibly dedicated and talented friends. It really took the place of a sorority for me. Instead I was able to be a part of a group of friends who all loved music as much as I did, and being able to make beautiful music together was incredible.

Meanwhile, outside of UVA, I was continuing to write my own music, occasionally playing out and around Charlottesville. However, with all my schoolwork and vocal groups, it was difficult to find that balance and make time to develop my own music and writing. I knew it was something that would have to wait a little longer until I finished my studies.

You have some big things happening with your music now. Can you describe what you are doing (Here is your chance to talk about the EP, please devote some time and detail so everyone knows about it such as dates of release and where you might be performing too.)?

I’m very excited about this upcoming year in music! Over the past year I’ve been working on my new EP, ‘My Old Habits’, out at Monkeyclaus Studio in Nelson County, with producer Dave Stipe at the helm. We have some great musicians joining me on this project, including UVA’s own Butch Taylor, Sam Wilson (Sons of Bill), Johnny Stubblefield (Parachute), Chris Pandolfi (Infamous Stringdusters), and several other local gems. It’s been a true honor working with these musicians so far. The record is comprised of songs spanning almost 8 years of writing, the earliest of which I actually wrote in high school. We are very close to polishing up this project, and earlier this month I launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the last mile. The campaign runs until New Years Day, and all proceeds go toward funding and releasing this record, as well as some new recordings in 2016. All backers of the campaign will get a copy of the EP as soon as it is finished, so it’s a great way to preorder a copy! Depending on the donation, backers can also get rewards from merchandise and album art, to even joining us in the studio. We are planning on a spring release, at which time the record will be available on iTunes for all other listeners!

           https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1187428563/genna-matthews-new-ep-my-old-habits

If you had to describe your musical genre what would it be?  What do people on the outside of the music industry need to know about recording an EP? What is the balance of work, fun and stress for you?

I think my music can be described as folk-pop, though this record also has some Americana running through it. This recording project has been a real learning experience for me. It can definitely be stressful and overwhelming at times, but actually getting into the studio and bringing your songs to life is the greatest feeling in the world. I wish I could do it every day. This was the first time I’ve heard a full band on my songs, and being able to collaborate with other musicians gives these songs new life. Collaborating with my producer, Dave, was also a very new experience for me. It’s strange trying to explain your vision of a song to another person, but I think Dave and I work really well together. Sometimes he would challenge my ideas with his own, and would end up totally making the song by changing one simple thing. Sometimes in songwriting, it’s easy to get stuck in your own tendencies and feel confined, but collaborating with others was a much-needed refresher for me.

After your EP comes out what will you be doing to promote it? 

This Kickstarter campaign has the added benefit of being a great promotion tool. I’ve been able to connect to countless new listeners through this campaign, and am able to keep in touch with everyone who backs the project, so I will be able to update all my backers as the release approaches. I am also very lucky to be in a city like Charlottesville that is so supportive of local music. There’s a real supportive community of musicians and listeners in this town, who are always there to help spread the word. I’m hoping to release the title track on local and regional radio stations to help promote the release get folks fired up about these songs! 

What advice do you have for others who might be thinking about pursuing a career in music? Are there things you wish people had told you?

I’m learning new lessons as I go, and one thing I’ve learned is that you need to appreciate and cultivate what makes your “voice” unique and special. Particularly if you’re pursuing music, you’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible musicians, and it’s easy to feel intimidated and thwarted. But instead of trying to emulate others, it’s important to focus on your unique talents, and do everything you can to strengthen them. I’ve certainly wasted my energy and time fretting that I didn’t sound a particular way.

You live in a town known for its music scene. Are you going to stay here for a while or do you have plans to go on the road or to another city?

I love Charlottesville, and the music community is really unique here. As I’ve mentioned, this community is very supportive and inspiring to be a part of, and it really has a lot to offer someone like me. It’s so motivating to be surrounded by so much talent. But as I’ve grown up here, I definitely have a strong urge to travel and move to a new city. Charlottesville is a hard town to leave, but I can definitely see myself hitting the road for a new music town in the not so distant future.

******************************************************************************

When I first heard Genna, I was sitting in my office at the university I worked for as an admission dean . It was Spring and I was tired. I’d just been through a grueling reading season. Thousands of applications had passed across my computer screen. So many wonderful students and so few spaces. So many students with the grades, the programs, the testing, the essays, the recommendations, the activities and experiences. And only a small percentage of them got in.  Then I heard Genna and I knew we’d take at least one more.

Genna has recorded a song and submitted to the admission office. It came directly to me because I knew her college counselor, Jane McGuire, and she gave Genna my name. I put the CD on and I loved the song. It's witty, beautifully moving and does not try too hard either. It just does what it does exceptionally well. After listening to it several times, I took the CD around to some other offices and let some of my colleagues listen to it. Everyone loved her voice, the lyrics and the way she had approached all this. 

In that particular year, there were very few places for anyone on the wait list to get offered a spot, but she stood out because of her creative and innovative approach combined with her special talent.

Her time at Uva demonstrates she contributed significantly to the life of the university with her many activities and her performances in town. It is wonderful that she is now preparing to get her EP out so that we can enjoy more of her talent. Her interview also demonstrates that she has not gotten where she is on her own. She has many mentors and fellow musicians and a few profs who have helped shape the person she is. Whether it is music or biochemistry or  creating a start up having a mentor is essential.

I hope that readers will go to her kickstarter page and contribute. You are helping a star in the making. I think you will be glad you did. If you go to the link below you can find out what you can get by contributing to her campaign. You will also get to hear and see her perform a bit of her music too: 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1187428563/genna-matthews-new-ep-my-old-habits

I would like to thank Genna for sharing her inspiring story and her wonderful music too. She demonstrates that there are ways of coming across to admission offices that are not just a set of numbers. She was also lucky she had a good college counselor who could suggest an innovative approach too. If the moral you learn from this tale, however, will lead you to send in a new versions of a wait list song (should you not immediately get in to the school of your dreams), then I need to make this point. Genna did something new and innovative. Those who try to do the same thing, but just a bit differently, are demonstrating they can imitate well but not that they necessarily have the character traits highly selective schools look for. 

There are many ways to demonstrate talent, interest and moxie and I hope each student will discover his or her own approach.