At Sacred Heart University (SHU), the Performing Arts Program comprises four cohorts: theatre, dance, band, and orchestra and choir.
As full-time students, participants in the Performing Arts Programs must learn how to balance their academic lives with their extracurricular activities in order to excel in both. How does a full-time student with performing arts extracurriculars manage their time while doing the things they love?
Junior Derek Coady is the Band and Orchestra Orientation Leader and Vice President of Service for Kappa Kappa Psi, a national band/orchestra service fraternity. Coady is a computer science and mathematics double major, Classroom Learning Assistant and member of the SHU Innovate Club.
Coady dedicates several hours a day, two to four days a week, to band and orchestra responsibilities depending on the weekly rehearsal and game schedule.
“There are times where I can feel overwhelmed, but I have minimized that greatly,” said Coady.
He makes sure to dedicate time to friends and relaxation to minimize potential burnout. His key to maintaining balance is using his calendar.
“It gives me an outlet to visually see everything. It makes it very easy to manage what can look like too much at times,” said Coady.
Busy schedule and all, Coady emphasized the program’s impact.
“The experiences I have had has helped me grow into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful for what the program has done for me,” said Coady.
Theatre Arts Program (TAP) President and senior Juliana Balzano dedicates every day to TAP but also makes sure to tend to her academics.
“I focus on my classes first and once those end, I venture into the theatre world,” said Balzano. “There are times that I feel overwhelmed but when that happens, I make sure to take a couple steps back to make sure I am taking care of myself.”
Out of class, Balzano is either doing homework, preparing for shows or at her work-study job, with rehearsals taking up most nights. Balzano’s work-study is assisting Jerry Goehring, Executive Director of Performing Arts.
“I make sure that I have time for self-care. From 10 o’clock onwards, I make sure not to do anything TAP-related so I can wind down,” said Balzano.
Balzano said, without hesitation, that she would never start over without being involved.
“I met my best friends and my housemates through TAP. I have had really great leadership opportunities that will benefit me for years to come in my professional life,” said Balzano.
Orchestra President Eileen Duffy is a member of the Gospel Choir and the Irish Dance Ensemble along with being an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
“There is not a day that goes by where you will not see me in the performing arts wing at least once, let alone multiple times,” said Duffy.
“I find the balance within the workload, personal life, and the performing arts program lies solely in the fact that I sincerely love what I do,” said Duffy. “The more you love what you do, the more you learn to love the challenge of balance.”
Contributed by Juliana Balzano, ’25
Source: Mark F. Conrad, Sacred Heart University
Senior Katie Zimmer is a member of two professional tracks of the Dance Company, SHU Mo(ve)ment and Inception Dance Crew. She also is a member of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority, Pre-PT club, exercise science club and babysits for local families in Fairfield. On most days, she has dance rehearsals for at least five hours.
“I made my Broadway debut in ‘Matilda the Musical’ when I was thirteen. Because of this passion, I am driven to take advantage of all the dance program has to offer and involve myself in everything I can,” said Zimmer.
Zimmer balances her workload by making sure to dedicate any free time she has to completing her schoolwork and “decompressing.”
“Even with the most commitment, there is still time to dedicate to myself, my family, my friends and my academics,” says Zimmer. “Having a busy schedule fuels me to be more productive in my free time and has me always looking forward to something whether it be to see my friends at rehearsal or to perform on stage at a show.”
Similar to her peers, Zimmer spoke highly of the impact of the performing arts program.
“I would never second guess my decision about being in the dance program,” Zimmer said. “I have met my best friends here and developed connections with other classmates and choreographers that have shaped me into the person and dancer I am today.”
