UNC graduate credits arts community for doctorate pursuit
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 23, 2018 5:50 AM
Full Size
Submitted photo
Lindsay Player, right, works with 10-year-old Matthew, her piano student for the past four years while at UNC-Chapel Hill, as part of Musical Empowerment, a non-profit organization on campus matching up college students with children in underserved areas with free music lessons.
A UNC-Chapel Hill student with Goldsboro ties credits the local arts community with bringing out her creative side and leading to her decision to become a doctor.
Lindsay Player will receive her bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and neuroscience and plans to enter medical school in the fall.
But her love of music played just as much a role as the rigorous academics, she says.
"Growing up in Goldsboro, I was in StageStruck for like 14 shows," she said. "That's one thing that Goldsboro did really well was the arts, the arts there were really prominent.
"When I came to UNC, I didn't want to lose that."
For years, she took piano lessons and later used the talent to accompany others in StageStruck productions. She also taught lessons, something she continued when she headed off to college.
A 2014 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School, she admits she did not have a clear-cut career path in mind four years ago.
"I didn't know what I wanted to do when I came to UNC," she said. "The one thing that I was sure about was that I wanted to join Musical Empowerment," she said.
The non-profit student venture pairs musically inclined university students with school children, reaching 130 school children in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district. Its mission is to serve children ini underserved communities through free, one-on-one lessons and other mentorship programs.
"I knew that this was the organization that I wanted to be involved in," she said.
The co-president of Musical Empowerment has helped it grow from one chapter at Carolina to six, with groups now on such campuses at N.C. State, High Point University and Dartmouth.
The unexpected byproduct was how it led to her career choice of one day becoming a doctor.
"I came in thinking I hated science," she said. "I kind of realized that the creative side and the teaching side ultimately contributed to me wanting to be a doctor.
"You have this great benefit and advantage that I can see from different perspective. Whenever I look at things in the lab, you look at things in the abstract.
"I feel like my public speaking and confidence had not been found until I had all the training in the arts."
Fortunately, she does not have to choose between the medical profession and her enjoyment of singing and playing piano.
Not to mention an avid appreciation for public service.
"I have never left the arts," she pointed out. "I still paint, play piano, that's a very strong part of me.
"And I take pride in being in a mentorship organization."
She was paired with a student for all four years at UNC, she said, and has mixed emotions about the relationship coming to an end.
As it turns out, though, Matthew and his family are also moving to another area soon, she said.
"I have gotten to see him grow so much the last four years," Player said. "He's changed so much because his first lesson he was kind of shy. Now he's bouncing off the walls."
She recalled her student having had a basic background in music but lacked training.
The improvement and honing of his potential has been rewarding for both teacher and student, she says now.
"He's always been very hard-working and dedicated but it's only improved," she said. "I'm proud of him. More than anything I have seen him gaining confidence.
"It's always been about making him see that anything is possible."
Player is weighing which medical school she will attend, and is leaning toward the specialty area of obstetrics/gynecology.
But she will not waver on her desire to continue in music and mentorship.
"I'm really passionate about service and I really like teaching," she said. "I would love to start teaching (piano) again. That's always been a part of me.
"I consider myself a life-long learner. I do want to get back into teaching as soon as I can."