Desirée Hassler

Dr. Desirée Hassler serves as the voice area coordinator at Moody. In addition to teaching voice lessons, she enjoys teaching many of the music history electives like Survey of Music Literature, Jazz and American Popular Music, etc.

She considers herself blessed to be an active performer as well, in many capacities, both locally and throughout the United States. In describing her passion for her work, Dr. Hassler writes, “[Performing] truly sharpens my teaching in the studio in such a tangible way. I put my high notes to good use as a Soprano I in the Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus where I’ve sung since 2008, in over 800 performances of opera and musical theatre. I was honored to be a part of PBS’ Great Performances Pagliacci which snagged the 2022 Emmy for Classical Music/Dance Programming.

I love bringing my students to performances and catching up with them over coffee to connect, process what they heard and saw, and to hear their reviews—which matter to me far more than the newspapers. Teaching in the music department at Moody brings me such joy. My students don’t just get my professional attention in a lesson or in the classroom, we do real life together as brothers and sisters in Christ. They know my husband and kids, roast marshmallows for s’mores at studio parties in my backyard and have spontaneous worship sessions on my couch. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Educational Background:

BA, The Master’s University

DMA, MM, University of Illinois