Spicer will combine her interests in music and social justice as she goes forward in her studies.
Not many six-year-olds get fired by their piano teacher, but years later, Tessa Spicer completely understands why it happened. “I’m a really big perfectionist,” she says, laughing. “And I’m bad at being taught!” While her love of music never waned, Spicer became largely self-taught, especially since the small school she attended in Tatamagouche, N.S., didn’t have music on the curriculum.
After graduating from high school a semester early, Spicer applied for the generous new bursary from The Joyce Family Foundation, and was thrilled to discover she would be one of its first recipients.
Now, Spicer is finishing her first year in the Foundation Year Program, which was been wonderful in some ways, she says, but challenging in others. “I’ve really have appreciated meeting new people and learning different ways of thinking.”
As she enters her second year, Spicer looks forward to pursuing two of her passions: a major in law, justice and society at Dalhousie, which aligns with her interest in social justice, and a minor in music at King’s.
In addition to her studies, Spicer sings in the King’s Chapel Choir and plays an array of instruments, from the ukulele, guitar, bass and percussion.
Who’s your favourite protest artist and song?
It has to be Hozier, and his songs “Nina Cried Power” and “Eat Your Young.”
Lyre, lute or harp–which would you add to your musical instrument collection?
I think it would be easiest for me to pick up the lute, but a lyre would be a lot of fun.
What was the best part of growing up in Tatamagouche?
It’s shown me the importance of such a tight-knit community, and able to spend my summers driving around and going to the beach is pretty great.
Which myth feels weirdly relatable to you?
The Ship of Theseus. As I grow up, everything around me and within me keeps changing and moving, but I remain the same person, just with different teeth, different skin, different thoughts. Every time I cut my hair, I get a little flashback to it.
The Joyce Family Foundation has created the largest renewable bursary at King’s, available to two full-time undergraduate students per year. The bursary offers recipients $5,000/year for four years.
