Hitting the High Notes

When mezzo-soprano Andrea Jaber, 48, crossed the stage on Commencement Day, May 11, 2002, she marked a milestone not only for herself but also for the Shepherd School of Music, and in particular, her voice professor, Joyce Farwell. She is the first vocalist to receive a doctor of musical arts (D.M.A.) at Rice.

Jaber confesses that a doctoral degree was the last thing on her mind when she took a temporary vocal coaching position at the Shepherd School in 1997. Besides, 25 years had already passed since she completed her master’s degree at Arkansas State University, and she had a family of three to raise as well. But her entrance into the D.M.A. program was by personal invitation from Farwell, who had been largely responsible for drawing up the doctoral requirements. It was an offer that Jaber could not refuse, saying she had always wanted to study with Farwell.

“It is exciting to be the first to receive the D.M.A. in voice,” Jaber says, “but I’m too old to make Joyce famous.” Farwell is nonetheless “very proud” of her student’s achievements, considering that Jaber had to fit academic pursuits into an already demanding schedule.

Jaber is married to Shepherd School associate professor Thomas Jaber, who is a vocal coach and director of choral ensembles. Their oldest son, Benjamin, is a sophomore horn major at the Shepherd School.

—Tse-Ying Koh