She's played a part in Convocation since her first semester on campus. Fittingly, when Julie Sauvé (BMus/BEd '09) was eligible to walk the stage herself, her role in Spring 2009 Convocation was an integral one.

Sauvé, the invocation reader for Ceremony III, had always respected the position as she witnessed graduation ceremonies over the years, performing at Convocation as a member of the University's Wind Orchestra. Earning the opportunity to read this spring completed a University career that saw the Cold Lake, Alta. native make the very most of her U of L experience.

"I value the many opportunities I was presented with during my stay at the University," she says. "The music program at the U of L provided many performance opportunities, both inside and outside of the country, and also gave me the opportunity to work as a clinician.

"My most memorable experience at the U of L would have to be the music tours organized and directed by professors, Adam Mason and Dr. Tom Staples. Each tour enabled us to work with internationally known artists/clinicians and even provided the opportunity to perform and compete in Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas."

Now a proud alumnus, Sauvé originally came to the U of L thanks to recommendations from other University alums, a pair of former high school teachers in Cold Lake.

"When I decided I wanted to be a teacher, I looked to see where some of my favourite teachers did their post-secondary education," says Sauvé. "They told me all about this university and why Lethbridge's education program was superior. After a few meetings, and a couple of prayers, I knew this was where I was supposed to spend the next few years."

The University lived up to its advance billing, and then some.

"Everything I have experienced at the U of L has far surpassed any and all of my expectations," she says. "The small class sizes, the professors' dedication and passion for their work, along with all the opportunities they provided for their students on a daily basis, were astounding. I am proud to be an alumnus because I know I was taught by dedicated and passionate professors who ensured that I got the quality of education I needed in order to succeed after convocation."

Sauvé was especially impressed with the one-on-one relationships she was able to develop with professors, and specifically Mason.

"Adam was the first to show me how to successfully build a program, sustain it and balance out the rest of life's curveballs without burning out," she says. "He has travelled to many countries to learn new musical styles and their relation to culture and every day life. Over the past five years, Adam truly has equipped me with the skills to succeed. His love for music and passion to learn inspired me to work harder and go that extra mile. I am very fortunate to have worked with such an amazing individual."

GET THE FACTS

• Sauvé played in both the U of L Wind Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble

• She first heard the Wind Orchestra while a high school student at Cold Lake. Taking part in Alberta Honour Band in Edmonton, she and a friend stayed an extra day to see the U of L perform, after which she met Dr. Tom Staples, who encouraged her to come to the University upon graduation

• She is currently working as a substitute teacher in northern Alberta and will marry another
U of L alumnus in July

• Along with her new husband, Sauvé plans to move to Japan as part of the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program in late July. While there, she expects to join a Taiko drum group and build on the knowledge she gained working with Adam Mason