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Share thisFaculty Spotlight: Adam Potter, Ph.D., Director of Choral Activities
Education
- Houghton College | B.M. | Music Education
- Houghton College | M.M. | Choral Conducting
- Florida State University | Ph.D. | Choral Conducting and Music Education
What brought you to Roberts?
I was teaching at Delta State University in Mississippi when I first learned of a position here at Roberts. I knew many of the people who I now get to call my colleagues through a summer camp that I teach at called the Csehy Summer School of Music. When this job became available, I was encouraged to apply. Having lived in western New York for almost ten years before moving to the South, I was eager to “come home.” I’m loving it so far! I love my students, I love my colleagues, I love Rochester. I feel really blessed to be here.
Why do you love to teach?
The thing that thrills me most is to teach students who I know are going to be able to go out into the world and use what I have taught them in settings that they might not even be able to imagine right now. Being able to apply what they have learned in their work as musicians, as music teachers, in the church or their work in whatever area of life God takes them. The idea of a little part of me living on through my students is a humbling and awesome thought.
What is it like being a new professor on campus?
It’s wonderful. This place is so welcoming. I feel like I have been embraced by everyone from freshmen non-music majors, to senior music majors, to my colleagues in the department, to my colleagues outside of the department, and even community members – who care about the work I am doing. It’s amazing to have been taken in so quickly by my caring colleagues.
What is new and exciting in music?
There is so much energy in the Music Department. It is the best of both worlds because I have many colleagues in this department who have been here for a long time who share their wisdom with a “newbie” like me and contribute to a sense of stability. It’s also a place where new ideas are encouraged and where we can strive together for what is best for our students.
Are you working on any interesting projects?
I am an active guest conductor, so I have several gigs this spring, including a few gigs for All-County choruses and teaching for teachers workshops. I am also working on a book right now called Score and Rehearsal Preparation: A Realistic Approach for Choral Conductors with Gary Stith which is a follow-up to his book, Score and Rehearsal Preparation: A Realistic Approach for Instrumental Conductors. We hope to have our first draft finished by this coming summer.
Where is your favorite place to on campus?
My favorite part of the day is Chorale rehearsal. Because of that, Shewan Recital Hall is my favorite place on campus because that’s where I get to make music with my students.
What is a fun fact about you?
Pigs ultimately got me a piano! I grew up on a dairy farm and I am a first-generation college graduate. When I was a little boy, my parents did not have enough money to buy me a piano. However, they did have a shed that wasn’t being used. I took advantage of the opportunity and raised litters of pigs in that shed to make money. I started saving in the fourth grade, and it took me until tenth grade to have enough money to buy the piano.
Esther Ying ’18
Dr. Potter has only been at Roberts for one semester, but he has already proven himself as an effective leader and music educator. He gives very clear and specific instructions and guides his students step-by-step with patience and shows his love of music. He has a very deep understanding of voice and it is demonstrated through the ways he interacts with the choir. I know he cares about his students because he always goes above and beyond what is asked of him. I know he'll be the person who would stand next to me to help overcome challenges with me. I know I can seek help from at any time; without being afraid to make mistakes. He knows a lot, musically and academically, but he never shows- off in front of the students. He is a humble person. Working with him as a musician is always a pleasure, and I'm so thankful to get to know Dr. Potter. He's been a blessing to the students at Roberts.
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