Biography

Anna M. Leppert-Largent, M.M., began her on-campus tenure as Adjunct Faculty in Music at SVSU during the 2004 Winter semester as a sabbatical replacement for Dr. Jane Girdham. What was to be a short-term assignment of teaching a semester of The Musical Experience through the lens of classical music (MUS*117A), became another way that Professor Largent fulfills her passion of sharing the joys of music with others. She now teaches MUS*117C (The Musical Experience: Music in the US) as an online course. Professor Largent also teaches piano to non-piano music majors who are working on skills to pass their piano proficiencies. She has taught MUS*150 (Introduction to Music Studies), MUS*315 (Advanced Piano Skills), and organ. During the 2021 Winter semester, she excited to teach MUS*320 (Music History 1). She taught organ for SVSU at her church prior to 2004.

Professor Largent has been Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Bay City since 2011 after having served the two years prior as accompanist/organist during the tenure of Music Director Leo Najar. Her responsibilities have included directing and accompanying the Chancel Choir, directing the Bell Choir, playing organ and piano for worship services, service planning with the pastor, and coordinating the Advent and Lent Concert Series. During the COVID-19 pandemic she has turned her efforts to overseeing the church’s new ministry of streaming worship. Previous music ministries positions include St. John’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church, both in Saginaw as well as Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis.

Professor Largent is the Director of Saginaw Strings, a non-profit music education program and a project of First Presbyterian Church in Saginaw. Suzuki-inspired group lessons are offered to any child or youth interested in learning to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay, thanks to generous donations from two local endowments. Classes have been “on break” since March 2020 due to COVID-19. However, she and her teaching staff hope to begin offering classes in April 2021.

Professor Largent was Production Manager & Director of Education for the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra from 2003-2018. She has taught music at the elementary, middle school and high school levels as well as private organ and piano lessons. She attended Indiana University where she earned two bachelor’s degrees (BM-Organ and BME-Choral/K-12) and master’s degree (MM-Organ with Music Education Minor). Her principal teacher was Robert Rayfield.

Professor Largent is married to Gregory H. Largent, retired Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Saginaw. Mr. Largent also teaches piano to non-piano music majors at SVSU. This musical couple has two adult children: Liz Largent who is a ceramic tile maker and Co-General Manager at Petland in Topeka KS and Chris M. Largent who is Assistant Technical Director with the San Francisco Opera.