For Ava Pressman ’25, music is, and has always been, an inherently social experience. These days, she can often be found — and heard — in Lang Music Building leading the alto sections of Chorus or Garnet Singers, performing solo or chamber music in Lang Concert Hall, or singing opera with friends in the Underhill Study Room. 

Pressman’s love for singing began in school choirs, where she discovered her passion for collaborative music-making. In 2013 she joined the New York City Children’s Chorus. “That was really instrumental in my music development,” she emphasizes, adding that she sang with the group until graduating from high school in 2021. During high school, Pressman also formed a band with two friends to perform traditional Irish music.

Throughout high school, music was an important hobby for Pressman, but as she began to envision her college experience, she wanted more. “I knew I wanted to minor in music… I wanted to continue [music] seriously and improve my skills but not necessarily get a music degree,” she explains. These goals led her to Swarthmore: “I chose Swarthmore because of the rigorous academics, but also [because it has] a music program that would allow me to get as involved as I wanted to without being a music major.”

As she approaches the end of her Swarthmore journey, Pressman affirms that “I’ve gotten the experience that I wanted.” With a major in Political Science and a minor in Music, she believes that she has struck a good balance in her academics, noting that “the music program at Swarthmore has been a really lovely source of social fulfillment.”

Pressman has spent the past four years bonding with fellow musicians in a variety of vocal ensembles. A longstanding member of Chorus and Garnet Singers, Pressman stepped into the position of alto section leader as a sophomore. She has also been involved in a number of small groups as part of the Fetter Chamber Music Program, including Critical Mass and a Fauré set last spring with Sarah Zemelman ’24 and Chung Sze Kwok ’27. 

Through Swarthmore’s study abroad program, Pressman experienced choral singing across continents. Her semester in Stockholm, Sweden, she said, was “the best time.” A highlight was joining the Swedish university’s choir, which offered a “deeply-rooted” social and cultural experience that was distinct from any American ensembles in which she had participated.  

Earlier this semester, Pressman collaborated with soprano Olivia Scarozza ’25 to enter — and win — the Swarthmore College Orchestra’s annual Concerto Competition. As winners, they now have the opportunity to reprise their performance of the “Christe Eleison” from Bach’s Mass in B minor with the orchestra at their concert in April. Winning was a delightful surprise for Pressman, who has found it incredibly rewarding to collaborate with Scarozza. The feeling is mutual; Scarozza remarks that “Ava is such an amazing musician and her keen ear is super helpful in chamber music ensembles! She’s also just such a genuine, dependable and enthusiastic friend. It’s been a pleasure to get to make music with her over the past four years.” Pressman and Scarozza will also be performing a set of four duets through the Fetter Chamber Music Program on April 27. 

Beyond her collaborative involvements, Pressman has treasured her development as a solo artist and music scholar. “I really enjoyed my experiences in Music 11 and 12… [they] really helped in choir in terms of sight reading and chord analysis, something I hadn’t really been exposed to before.” Among the musicology courses she has taken, Pressman highlights Contesting Darkness: Music, Sound and Place in Gothic Europe with Professor James Blasina, which included a trip to England and France. “We saw some gorgeous cathedrals and bonded very strongly as a group, which was a lot of fun,” she shared.

Pressman was able to take private voice lessons for the first time through Swarthmore’s Music 48 program. Working with instructors Clara Rottsolk, Nancy Jantsch, and vocal coach Debra Scurto-Davis, Pressman has delved into a journey of “improving my vocal technique, but also my stage presence, and bringing stories in songs to life.” Among all her musical endeavors, Pressman declares that Music 48 has “brought me the most joy and fulfillment in my Swat experience; it’s been really fantastic.”

For fans of Pressman, her upcoming collaboration with the Swarthmore Orchestra is not the only performance to look forward to this semester. Since the beginning of the academic year, Pressman has been working hard to assemble a varied and meaningful program for her senior recital, which takes place on March 30 at 3 p.m. in Lang Concert Hall. “It’s a big emotional undertaking and the scope of it is something I’ve never approached before,” she acknowledges. In addition to pieces by Handel and Amy Beach, the heart of her senior recital will be Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben (A Woman’s Love and Life), a song cycle that “follows the perspective of a woman as she embarks on life’s journeys.”

Following graduation, Pressman hopes to continue singing with others. Currently, she sings with the choir at St Clement’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. “The folks [there] have been really nice to get to know. It’s been nice to build my social network of singers in the area and get inspiration from them as they’ve carved out what music means for them in their lives, especially since I’m trying to figure that out for myself,” she reflects. 

This level of support is by no means unique. As Pressman reflects on her experience with Swarthmore Music as a whole, gratitude is abundant for “everyone who inhabits [Lang Music Building],” including fellow musicians, as well as faculty. “I find that the professors in the music department are some of the warmest, most genuinely caring individuals I’ve ever met,” she underscores. “It’s been really inspiring to build those relationships and get advice from folks who have obviously reached a very high level in their music careers… It’s also just really fun to hang around the music building and see if anyone’s door is open. Everyone is always willing to chat, which I really love.” 

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Favorite music course at Swarthmore: It’s a tie between Music 12 (Harmony, Counterpoint and Form II) with Professor Jon Kochavi and Contesting Darkness: Music, Sound and Place in Gothic Europe with Professor James Blasina.

Favorite music-making experience at Swarthmore: Preparing for my senior recital right now!

What you’ll miss most about Swarthmore: My study carrel [in Underhill Library] — more specifically, silly moments and laughs with friends in the carrel room.

What sound or noise do you love? An orchestra tuning.

What sound or noise do you hate? Construction.

What's the last song/piece you played on your phone? “Ride It On” by Mazzy Star. I really like 90s music.