Weber State University student Arianne Hellewell, a senior vocal pedagogy student, enjoys a great many things, but she said her greatest passions lie in her study of music and her husband Adam.

Arianne’s story is a unique one. She braved the feat of qualifying for acceptance to the nursing program and left it to pursue her fervor for the arts.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a real passion for people,” Hellewell said. “I always thought that, with my personality, nursing was it for me. I worked really hard in high school, taking college courses and credits so that I could jump right into nursing school.”

Much to her dismay, Hellewell said she found it was not what she was expecting.

“I was kind of hoping to be able to really hunker down and help people not only heal, but change how they viewed and lived their life, as far as health was concerned,” Hellewell said. “Giving out medications, giving shots, rushing around for 12 hours at a time . . . that wasn’t what I went in hoping for. I was essentially miserable. I couldn’t find where I fit in this profession. I didn’t have drive to go and learn more or delve deeper into the subjects we were studying. I dreaded class times, and ultimately, I just didn’t feel like this was the direction I wanted to take my life.”

So, after talking with her husband, she said they both agreed that she should work in something she enjoys.

“We came to the conclusion that the cause of a midlife crisis was when you hit 50 and look back at your life and realize that you’ve spent hours upon hours in the office or workplace hating what you are doing and not fueling any passions,” Hellewell said. “So honestly, I switched because I had an unquenchable thirst and curiosity about music and how it affects people. It was the best decision I ever made.”

She would be the first to recruit for WSU’s music programs.

“It’s the people,” Hellewell said. “It’s almost as if we all have this great appreciation for what each other is going through, and though we may be competing for roles in an opera, or solos, or concerto night or whatever, there is still a mutual respect and admiration for what other people can and will accomplish and achieve. I really love being able to explore all the facets of music, realizing that it’s not just notes on a page or harmonies, but it is culture, history, passion, the pinnacle of lives, and that humans, like us, have made it into what it is today. All of this makes being a music major at Weber great for me.”

Hellewell said her drive and passion for music has been part of her life since childhood.

“I had a best friend when I was little, and we danced together, but she was a much better dancer,” Hellewell said. “She always complained about how she couldn’t sing. So one day I offered her voice lessons, when I was like 6 years old. We sat on my bed singing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ over and over again for what seemed like forever before I had to give up. So I guess I was always destined to be a voice teacher.”

Hellewell is currently serving as the chamber choir president and is a prominent member of the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing. She said is looking forward to her senior recital this spring.