Cynthia Speer

Student

“I feel very grateful that SMC is here to teach me anything I want to know—in a good environment, and at a great price.”

You could say that Cynthia Speer is taking two approaches to studying the “Classics” at SMC. A struggling musician, Cynthia got tired of her older used cars always breaking down. “Some of them were classic junkers, and I was always taking them into the shop. So I decided I wanted to learn the language that my mechanics were speaking to me.” And that led Cynthia to SMC’s Automotive department.

“When he heard I was going to SMC, my own mechanic said, ‘That’s great. That’s where I went to school.’ And in fact, all of his mechanics take classes here, too. I think a lot of the reputation of this place has to do with Mike Brandt,” says Cynthia. “He really loves his work, makes it all interesting, and treats us all—men and women—fairly.”

Cynthia further studies the “Classics”—in a more traditional sense—in SMC’s music department. “I’m a singer, but I’m studying piano at SMC to learn the technical aspects of the instrument. Rhoda Tuit is a wonderful teacher, and a lot of my musician friends have studied with her. Her technical knowledge is great, but she’s also a fun person to be around, and you end up liking her a lot.”

Cynthia is working, taking all the classes she has time for, and performing every chance she gets. “Being a performer, you have to wait for the breaks. But in the meantime, I’m glad to be learning all that I’m learning at SMC.” Ah, yes, the “Classics”: Rachmaninov, Mozart, Bach… and ’57 Chevies.

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