“I hope that I will continue to make a positive contribution while I am at UP,” says Andrea Kayser-Mitas, a musicology lecturer in UP’s Music Department. We learn more about her role at the University and how she juggles being a full-time lecturer and mom to her three daughters.

“Having an opportunity to give back to the same institution that helped me grow as a musician and academic is something special,” says Andrea Kayser-Mitas, a lecturer in the Music Department at the University of Pretoria (UP). She chats about her career, her love of both teaching and performing, and how she strikes a work-life balance.

Tell us a bit about your background, education and early career.

I was born in Durban in 1982 and began my music tuition at a very young age. My family moved to Pretoria in 1998 and I completed high school at Pro Arte Alphen Park High School in 2000.

I obtained a Bmus degree in Performance in 2009, an MMus degree in Music Education in 2015 and a DMus degree in Performance in 2021, all at UP. I’ve always loved music, and being able to study what I loved doing was a tremendous privilege. My main instruments of performance are the pipe organ and piano, but I’m also a vocalist and conductor of children’s choirs.

I began my career as a music educator at Tyger Valley College (2010 – 2013), teaching primary school music, before moving to Brescia House School for girls (2014 –2018), where I continued teaching class music, conducting the school choirs, teaching marimba bands and directing musical productions. I’ve taught practical music lessons at various music centres, and began teaching music students part time on Groenkloof campus at UP in 2018.

Teaching has always given me joy, so being able to teach at various schools and then transitioning to a tertiary institution feels like a natural development. My academic career at UP officially began 1 January 2019.

What attracted you to UP?

Being an alumnus of UP played an important role in my decision to begin working here. Having an opportunity to give back to the same institution that helped me grow as a musician and academic is something special, and I hope that I will continue to make a positive contribution while I am here.

What does your day-to-day role entail?

I am a lecturer in musicology, music education and community arts in practice: music. Supervising postgraduate students and assisting within the Music Department on various occasions are part of my work portfolio as well. I’m also the accompanist of three UP choirs: the UP Onderstepoort Community Choir, UP Chorale and the UP Youth Choir. Being a performance major allows me to utilise my skills both in the lecture room and on stage. I enjoy doing both; it gives me an opportunity to be versatile and continue to develop my skills in lecturing and performing. I also sit on various departmental and faculty boards, and contribute to the functionality and decision-making of these entities.

How do you juggle the responsibilities of being a full-time lecturer and a parent?

Being a wife, a mother to three daughters and working full time is a hefty load, but I love every minute of it. I did not have the opportunity to first complete my studies before getting married and starting a family, so experiencing all these seasons of life simultaneously has strengthened me and taught me perseverance and grit.

I have a very supportive husband, who is also a musician, and understands the intricacies and challenges of being a music lecturer and performer. We share our parental roles quite well and this ensures that I am able to do my job to the best of my ability. If I ensure that my work is done at work and I focus on spending time with my family when I get home, both myself and my family have a calmer approach to daily life.

Being a working mom is hard, but I know that by me living out my aspirations, I will instil in my daughters a drive for success, and they will see that they can have families of their own one day as well.

What challenges do you encounter in your department/section, and how would you solve them?

Although we work in the same department, I am certain my colleagues and I face challenges of varying natures. The best advice I can give them would be to tackle each challenge one by one, with integrity, professionalism and, most importantly, compassion for oneself.

What would you like to improve on in your section/department and why?

I do not feel there’s anything pertinent that needs to be improved on with regard to how our department is run, but if given the opportunity, I would like to make a difference in the lives of our students who struggle financially, especially those who do not even have their own instruments to practise and perform on.

My parents could not afford to fund my studies, and I had to work after matric for a year or two to save up, as well as take as many student loans just to get by. So I understand first-hand the challenges that our students and their families face, as well as the emotional turmoil of worrying about how you are going to pay for your studies.

What do you enjoy most about your job and why?

I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with students, to find out what they want to achieve as music students and then to support them. I have the privilege of working with musicians who specialise in various instruments and pedagogical subjects, so I enjoy collaborating with them and creating opportunities to perform various collaborative musical works when possible. I believe that music sounds better when more than one musician is involved; it’s a lot more fun too!

What is your least favourite part of the job?

Marking – but I understand that it’s necessary so that our students get the feedback they need. Thankfully we have systems such as the features in Blackboard Collaborate to make this task easier.

How do you interpret UP’s slogans, “Make Today Matter” and “THE UP WAY”?

These slogans demonstrate a strong culture of living in the now, grabbing every moment and opportunity to do and be your best and attain your goals. UP’s strong emphasis on quality education assures that by embracing THE UP WAY, students and staff will develop into stronger individuals and highly skilled in their career of choice.

What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy reading and baking, and exploring new and interesting food combinations for my family to indulge in.

What are your likes and dislikes?

I like finding ways to do the same things in an easier way; I dislike unfairness.

Quick quiz:

Sport: Hockey

Food: Sushi

Movies: True-life inspirational movies

Actor: Jim Caviezel

Musician: Johann Sebastian Bach

All-time hero: Jesus Christ – He inspires me to do and be better every day.