Having grown up in Connecticut, Megan E. Doran ’17, ’18 did not know what to expect during her first trip to Virginia for her flute audition at ĻӰ, but she instantly fell in love. Doran was immediately drawn to the charm of the campus, and even more so the welcoming nature of the people she met that day. While all of this contributed to her decision, the real reason she chose to attend Shenandoah was because of her teacher, Professor of Instrumental (Flute) Jonathan Snowden, A.G.S.M. “His kindness and tremendous passion will always be an inspiration in my life, and I am extremely grateful to have studied with him for four years,” said Doran.
Doran has many fond memories from her time at Shenandoah, but a few stick out to her. In 2015, she performed in the Bach-Handel Festival with William Kelley and Sydney Vonada, traveled to Greece while studying in the Performing Arts Leadership & Management (PALM) program and worked in the Office of Career Services for a year. Doran believes the supportive and encouraging community at Shenandoah allows students to spend their time exploring what is most meaningful and fulfilling to them.
Doran is the admissions and alumni affairs coordinator at the in New Haven, Connecticut. In her role, Doran communicates with prospective students to provide support in their application process, coordinate their visits to campus, as well as assist with recruitment and engagement efforts. Additionally, she corresponds with YSM alumni through various platforms, such as their e-newsletters, where she shares announcements and information about special events.
“My responsibilities vary as the admissions cycle progresses, but the vital component of working in the YSM Admissions and Alumni Affairs Office is relationship-building,” said Doran. “Having the privilege of working with applicants before they become enrolled students, as well as alumni who have graduated and are deep into their careers, is an extremely inspiring and rewarding experience.”
After studying flute performance and PALM at Shenandoah, Doran feels her education and experiences have prepared her to think both critically and thoughtfully in her career field. “From the discipline of learning a new piece of music to engaging in a robust conversation about leadership in the performing arts, my time at Shenandoah allowed me to explore new opportunities and draw inspiration from my incredible teachers, mentors and fellow classmates,” said Doran.
Doran’s advice to students is: “Be patient and trusting in the hard work that you put in each day. Always be curious about your passions, and let yourself explore new areas that inspire you that you may not have considered before in your career path. Your time in school is truly your own, so you have the unique opportunity and privilege to seek out and pursue the opportunities that are of interest to you.”