LSU DOCTORAL CANDIDATE EARNS MUCH MORE THAN HER DEGREE

written and photographed by Emily Ritchart

Maira Braga Cabral came to LSU to earn her doctorate degree but has earned much more through her work with University Laboratory School Choral Department as a piano accompanist for five groups under the school’s Secondary Choir Instructor Dana Lux.

Braga Cabral’s ultimate career goal is to teach piano at a university. Seeing Lux in action in the classroom has helped her to learn effective instructional methods, and assisting students has solidified her passion to spread the gift of music.

“My favorite part of working with these young singers is seeing them succeed and accomplish their goals,” she said. “It reminds me of the importance of music education.”

While many schools have been forced to downsize or even eliminate arts programming, ULS has been able to maintain and even grow its robust offerings thanks in large part to funding from the ULSF Annual Appeal. Braga Cabral’s position here plays an integral role in the ULS choir program and is a component of that funding. “She is special, and her work goes far beyond just playing the piano,” said Lux, adding that Braga Cabral is able to provide valuable feedback and coaching to students on an individual basis that would not be possible with only one instructor in the choir setting. “She enjoys coaching, and it shows. The students really value her instruction.”