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Lily Hammond graduated from the University of North Georgia (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) with a Bachelor of Music degree in spring 2024. Just a few months later, she headed north to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and began her pursuit of a master's degree in music theory with a certificate in vocal performance. Next month, she will have earned her degree. So, what comes next? A doctoral degree from Yale. 

Hammond was inspired by her professors and hopes to emulate their passion when she's in her own classroom. The Cumming, Georgia, native said Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis was "very impactful" through her encouragement of undergraduate students.

"It wasn't just in the materials she was teaching," Hammond said. "She was also creating opportunities to present at conferences, to publish our work and get paid to do research — and doing all of these things while encouraging a lot of curiosity and allowing that curiosity to actually make a difference in the communities around us."

Dr. Gabe Fankhauser provided an opportunity for Hammond to tutor students and discuss music theory, two things she was curious about and loved.

"I had a lot of questions about the community music that I was involved in. And I realized that if I kept doing this, I would have the opportunity to further research the community music that I love so much, and I could keep singing," she said.

Hammond hopes that when she finishes her studies, she will be a "quality" professor like those in ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's Department of Music and she will be able to "give back in that way." Her would like to be a professor one day and currently enjoys working as a teaching assistant in an aural skills class of 40 students.  

"I really love working with undergraduates because they're in a unique time of life. They're figuring out things for the first time. They're so fun," she said. "I've been working with them every semester since I got here, and I just adore them. They’re so passionate about what they're doing.”

Both alumnae agree that ÌìÃÀÉçÇø did more than prepare them for futures in their preferred genre of music. 

"ÌìÃÀÉçÇø made me believe that it was possible. It was at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø where I realized that there are career pathways that will allow me to incorporate all my talents instead of just having to pick one that is the most lucrative, is the most stable-looking or has the best prospects in the job market," Ingram said. "I was set up very well to succeed. My natural talents were recognized, nurtured and homed in on. I was absolutely set up to succeed."

For Hammond, it was a combination of things. Classes with Morgan-Ellis and Fankhauser prepared her well in terms of writing. Morgan-Ellis also created a lot of opportunities to present at conferences, and The Licklog String Band, another creation of Morgan-Ellis, provided opportunities to play at various events. Dr. Benjamin Schoening, Hammond's voice instructor, always pushed for excellence in her lessons and vocal pedagogy class, she said.

"I had quality professors. They really inspired curiosity, and they encouraged excellence. They provided opportunities to share the knowledge. I just want to make it clear that I would not have chosen to pursue my master's or my doctorate if it had not been for the professors at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø. They impacted my life that much," Hammond said.

The two remain in touch with their professors, often grabbing a coffee when they are back in Dahlonega. Morgan-Ellis traveled to Massachusetts for Hammond's senior recital and a visit with Ingram.