Leadership lived: Student balances her love of music and the law

Breanna Hunt has always loved music. She started singing when she was 2 years old and now leads the A Capella Choir at the University of Illinois Springfield.

As the choir leader, she picks musical selections and helps mentor fellow students. She says signing A Capella can be challenging.

“It’s a lot more difficult than signing with an accompaniment because usually the accompaniment gives you your notes, but with the A Capella you have to find the notes on your own when you first begin or you get the starting pitches,” she said.

The English and Legal Studies major also sings with the UIS Ensemble Choir and is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society.

As a member of the UIS Mock Trial team she’s won several awards for her performance. Her experience on the team is helping to prepare her for her future career as a lawyer.

“I’m applying to law schools right now,” said Hunt. She feels UIS does a great job preparing students to become lawyers. “I know a lot of law schools, they teach you things that I have already learned, so I’m already going to be ahead of those students who haven’t learned it, which is a huge thing.”

As a commuter student from Chatham, Hunt says she’s made many friends on campus and credits her professors for helping her succeed.

“The teachers are great and I love them,” she said. “They’ve always been there and been understanding and I think that’s something you won’t get at another university.”