Sheila Moilliet is an 81-year-old student at Carleton. After taking a music class at Carleton in 1977 at the age of 46, Moilliet moved to Buffalo, N.Y. when her husband transferred jobs. While in Buffalo, she began taking courses towards a music degree at the local university and in 2005, she returned to Carleton to finish what she started.
The Charlatan’s Tristan Bronca spoke with Moilliet about her passion for music and her experiences attending university alongside her daughter and granddaughter.
The Charlatan (TC): Why did you decide to get into music?
Sheila Moilliet (SM): I guess because I’ve always liked music and I’ve always thought that I’d like to teach, but I had no credentials. I studied piano all through school and as a teenager and even later on, so it was sort of a natural thing. When I first came here, though, I didn’t take it as a credited course. I was just taking it because I was interested in it. Then, when we moved to the States, I went to the University at Buffalo where I was accepted in the music program, which really got me going because that’s when I started with the piano and the theory. So, when we came back here, you know, I had that under my belt.
TC: Why is this so important to you?
SM: I guess it’s just now that I’ve started something, I’ve got to finish. I’m trying to keep up with my grandchildren, many of whom have graduated already. It’s just one of those things and at times I think I’m rather mad to do it, but here I am.
TC: The way you’re describing it almost makes it seem like a task. Are you not enjoying yourself?
SM: I enjoy the lectures and that sort of thing, but it’s a challenge. I take longer to do things. But as long as I can do it, I will, and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to do it.
TC: Your daughter and your granddaughter also go to Carleton. What’s it like having them go to the same school?
SM: They’re very supportive. They’re all wonderful, they’re all brilliant. Most of my questions for them are about the computer, when I get stuck. It’s just sort of little things like that. I cry ‘Help!’ and they’re there. My granddaughter was in residence the first year, so I would see her whenever I came — about once a week, maybe twice. Now I don’t see her as much because she’s living at home. And my daughter . . . last term I was coming to school with her so that was kind of neat. She’s doing her [master’s] in applied linguistics — don’t ask me what that is.
TC: A lot of people go to university so they can get a good job after they graduate. You’ve already become a teacher, like you wanted, but I imagine there’s still something more to it. Where is the value in your university experience?
SM: I think there’s value in just — to keep on learning. I guess the music courses have helped with me teaching the children, but it’s just really a learning experience for me. I’m not here for the benefit of finding a job, obviously. It’s self-fulfilling. Actually, now I realize now what an incredible amount of work all you young people do. If you do four or five courses, I don’t know how you get through. It just boggles my mind.
