Professor David De Lyser, a former graduate student at UP, has returned to The Bluff and has made a good impression on his students. (Alissa White -- The Beacon)
By Jocelyne LaFortune, Staff Writer -- lafortun12@up.edu
Professor David De Lyser loves music.
Between conducting the University Community Orchestra, teaching several music classes and composing his own music, he is almost always surrounded by it.
De Lyser completed his master's degree here on The Bluff in 2001, and says he couldn't be happier to be back in the UP community. De Lyser teaches Fine Arts, aural skills and music composition, in addition to coaching a string trio and conducting the Community Orchestra.
"I had a wonderful master's experience here, and it is very exciting to be back on campus," De Lyser said. "It's great to be working with colleagues who were once my own professors."
De Lyser came back to The Bluff after hearing that the university was in need of a new orchestra conductor.
His enthusiasm for music started at an early age, De Lyser says.
"I'd say the starting point was being selected for the district select chorus in third grade, as sappy as that is," De Lyser said.
De Lyser's students say that although he is tough, his enthusiasm and dedication make working with him fun and rewarding.
"As a conductor he is excellent, but he works my fingers to the bone," senior Mark Davinroy said.
Even though it is still early in the season, De Lyser has made a good first impression on his orchestra students.
"From the first half of the season, it's obvious that he's a great conductor," sophomore Renee Erb said. "He has a great sense of humor, and when he pushes us hard in rehearsal, it is always followed by encouragement."
After completing his studies at UP, De Lyser went on to get his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado and then taught at the University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County.
"I admit, I will miss the snow we got in Wisconsin," De Lyser said. "I'll be the guy cheering for snow this winter."
