Dr. Nadia Soree, a music instructor at San Antonio College, took the stage with her harpsichord April 8 in SAC’s Visual Arts Center (VAC) as part of the school’s Spring Concert Series. Her faculty recital, titled Legend and Lore, featured music inspired by mythology.
Now an accomplished harpsichordist, Soree’s musical journey began with the piano in her hometown of New York. While pursuing a master’s degree, she discovered the harpsichord, a European keyboard instrument that plucks strings rather than striking them.
“After many years as a harpsichordist, I completely changed track,” Soree said. “I went to law school, became a lawyer, and I was actually a law professor for about 11 years in Miami.”
In the midst of her law career, Soree said she couldn’t ignore her passion for music.
“I found I’d really missed music,” Soree said. “So, about five years ago, I decided to go back to school to get my doctorate in music. I went to UNT and got my doctorate in harpsichord performance.”
Now back in the classroom, Soree plays with inspiration from the Latin phrase inscribed on the inside of her harpsichord: Musica est donum Dei, dulce sonum reficit tristia corda melos, which roughly translates to “Music is a gift of God; sweet sounds refresh sad hearts.”
“I see music as a gift that I want to share,” Soree said. “The idea that music can heal and bring comfort — that spoke to me.”
Before each performance, Soree takes a quiet moment to center herself.
“I try to regularly meditate,” Soree said. “Just to breathe, to become aware of my breath and the space in my body. A regular meditation practice really helps.”
With a calm mind and steady hands, Soree brought centuries-old compositions to life, sharing her deep appreciation for a long-overlooked instrument.