Shannon not your typical uni student

Shannon Lotz has had a busy year

First year USQ student Shannon Lotz openly admits that she is not a typical uni student and that spare time to her is a foreign concept.

You won't see the first year music student down at the pub when she is supposed to be studying or missing lectures to nurse a hangover, she just doesn't have enough time.

'I have no idea what spare time is,' the 18 year old said.

'In between performing I just don't have any time to do anything else, I haven't even been to the uni club!'

A lifelong love of music has gotten Shannon to where she is now; an exceptional piano and trombone player who has been and is involved in just about every performance put on by USQ's Faculty of Arts this year.

'I started playing the piano when I was four after both of my sisters were learning and my mum thought that I should as well,' Shannon said.

'At first I didn't really care about it but as I got better and started to do exams in the piano it became a lot more challenging.'

'The trombone was something that I began playing in high school and now I am lucky enough to get the chance to play it in the University's Ergon Energy Big Band.'

Some of the productions Shannon has been involved in include A Soldiers Tale and the more recent Opera Odyssey, both experiences that have convinced her that she is making the right career choice.

'The opera was something that I really enjoyed and even though it was so much work it showed me that it is something that I want to do it professionally once I have finished Uni.'

'I also got to play with Kate Cebrano as part of the Big Band last year, which was my first time playing with them and we got to meet her afterwards; it was a great experience.'

'As well as the Faculty's productions I also accompany people around the uni for different things, am part of lunchtime concerts and also teach kids music outside of the University.'

Although she has enjoyed her first year of study at USQ she does have something in common with most other university students.

'I am looking forward to finishing for the year.'

With so many university and extra curricular commitments one can understand why.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559