Student ignites passion for singing in Kennesaw State’s Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music

KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 26, 2025

Marissa Alban
Kathy S. Schwaig and Marissa Alban
Passion drove Marissa Alban to Kennesaw State University and from one potential career path to another.

She came to KSU to study nursing, a field driven by the passion of its practitioners. Unable to shake her love and talent for singing, however, she channeled her passion into a music major with a focus on vocal performance, where she remains on a path toward a career as a professional singer.

“I've found a home in the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music,” she said. “It’s a really tight-knit community and a great place to practice music.”

Originally dual-enrolled at East Paulding High School and KSU, Alban said nursing drew her in because of the Wellstar School of Nursing’s strong reputation and an opportunity to make an impact through caring for people. She thoroughly enjoyed her science classes and learning about the body. Still, she felt there was something else she wanted to do in life.

After pivoting to the Bailey School of Music, the mezzo-soprano singer immersed herself in KSU’s choirs and was quickly identified by her voice teacher, Prof. Todd Wedge, as a young singer with tremendous promise. 

“I thought this is someone who, with hard work and stick-to-itiveness, could have a professional career,” he said. “But the work doesn't stop at singing well. She must study languages, music theory, piano, opera theater, and many other facets of music that we teach here at KSU. Marissa works hard at all of it, which is what you need to have professional promise.”

Opera was new to Alban. She had always sung in church and school choirs and continued those practices at KSU, but only when then-director of KSU Opera Theater Cynthia Wohlschlager suggested she give opera a try did Alban embrace it.

It's just such a beautiful, versatile art form that combines so many different things and so many different skills,” Alban said. “In addition to the language and full use of the voice, it requires you to use your full body. It's fun.”

Marissa Alban
In addition to her experience with KSU Opera Theater and the KSU Chamber Singers, she also serves as staff singer with the choir at Marietta First United Methodist Church. During the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies, she sang the national anthem and KSU alma mater, a gig she will have again at the Spring 2025 ceremonies.

After graduating, Alban aspires to become a professional singer, though she will seek a master’s degree after finishing at Kennesaw State. It’s a departure from her first few steps into the Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Center, when she only knew of the prospects of a music career as an educator. Now committed to performing and fully engaged in her true passion, the path is clear.

“My first year in music, I joined opera and discovered that I really love singing and performing,” she said. “That’s what I want to do.”

– Story by Dave Shelles

Photos by Matt Yung

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.