When the topic of music comes up in conversation with Michael Widjaja ’26, his eyes widen, and the cadence of his voice quickens. You can feel him radiating excitement, and his passion is evident. A music education major at The Hartt School, Widjaja has been passionate about music most of his life, but his experience at UHart is where it has fully blossomed.
Widjaja’s inspiration to pursue music education originates from his deep appreciate for the educators that shaped his life. “"In the same vein many of my teachers changed the trajectory of my life by supporting and listening to me," he says. In turn, Widjaja says that "I want to do the same for future generations in public education through a medium that I love—music." This calling led him to Hartt, where he has cultivated growth in so many ways, and prepared him for his next professional journey.
While Widjaja still has one more year at Hartt before he soars into the world, he already has a clear vision of his career ambitions. He plans to teach in New England and the East Coast, gaining experience leading ensembles and organizations, before obtaining a Master of Music in Conducting. Yet, Widjaja is setting these plans in motion in all that he is learning at UHart.
He says that “the smaller class sizes helped me build rapport with so many of my professors who are in the top of their fields. Being able to pick all their brains has allowed me to flourish in the field of music and grow in my many interests (theory, history, ear training, conducting, performing, etc).” Furthermore, UHart has taught him that “your character is the most important thing when you are going for a job.” Widjaja learned this firsthand, when preparing from an audition or interview, as in his view, “being honest with who you are” is crucial to success in the long term. Additionally, he says “I have many great role models of musicians and educators around me, but they have fostered me in the sense that I get to be myself. I have learned through my education at Hartt that I will not be a copy of my favorite trumpet players, conductors, singers, or teachers, but that I will be truly myself, and take the best of the role models that I have surrounded myself with here.”
Michael Widjaja ’26, The Hartt SchoolI have many great role models of musicians and educators around me, but they have fostered me in the sense that I get to be myself. I have learned through my education at Hartt that I will not be a copy of my favorite trumpet players, conductors, singers, or teachers, but that I will be truly myself, and take the best of the role models that I have surrounded myself with here.
Widjaja also finds that these connections he has forged have played a starring role in his journey. He states “My connection with the choral director, Dr. Carolina Flores, and my two professors Dr. Kenneth Nott (music history) and Dr. Andrey Stolyarov (music theory) helped me win many choral jobs in the area (singing at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield to singing with professional chorus Voce Inc.).” He emphasizes that while their content areas have nothing to do with performance, “but because of the smaller class sizes and specific content areas, I was able to benefit as a musician and ask them question as all these professors have skills in conducting, composing, and performing.”
In addition to these choral jobs, Widjaja has landed many internships opportunities in the last three years, adding valuable real-world experience to his resume. He has worked at three schools, Webster Hill Elementary, Simsbury High, and on campus, the University of Hartford's Magnet School. “Through these experiences, I received hands-on experience in teaching, leading, and running rehearsals, using different strategies for students to be successful in achieving differing learning objectives.”
These hands-on experiences were complimented by additional activities that Widjaja manages to fit into his busy schedule. He works in the Hartt Admission office during the academic year, and serves in two leadership roles: President, National Association of Music Education, and President, Catholic Campus Ministry (he also sings in the UHart Choristers as well).
In addition to being a champion of music education, Widjaja is one of the most enthusiastic authentic students to speak about UHart. It’s evident that his education at Hartt is incredibly meaningful and has made a tremendous impact. He says “My favorite thing about UHart is how tight-knit our community is. This is in large part to the enrollment size, and the care our professors have.” He continues, sharing that the clubs and organizations, one can build even smaller, tight-knit communities, as he has also experienced firsthand. Widjaja says that “The most memorable experience that stands out to me has to be Hartt Collage [an annual performance]. We, as performing artists in our small conservatory (Hartt) that is part of a larger community that is the University of Hartford gets to showcase to everyone what we have been working on, and get to express our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Hartt Collage truly shows the talents of our fine arts conservatory.”
When asked what advice he could provide a future UHart student – his answer is that of sage advice that is universal: “Be yourself! Continue to learn and grow every day. There is always something new to learn that will impact you, your community, and posterity!”