Students Build Lively, Vital Campus Community Through Music
Sophie Aguilar and Solie Lawson | October 7, 2025
If one were to take a stroll on the Warren Wilson College (WWC) campus, they might hear the faint melody of a practicing banjoist or guitarist and the tune of a flute among the sloping mountains and bristly trees. The community of music on campus is lively and tight-knit, proving to be an important outlet for aspiring musicians at WWC.
Stella Hansen, a junior who lives off campus, described her music experience at WWC as one of togetherness and learning. Coming from the musical city of Nashville, Tennessee. She has been playing music since the third grade. Hansen thinks the musical community at WWC is not one of competition, but one of growth and adaptation.
Stella Hansen, center seated, plays with band at the 2024 Warren Wilson College (WWC) Spring Meat Sale on April 5, 2025 in Swannanoa, N.C.. (Vivian Bryan/The Echo)
“It creates a really positive learning environment,” Hansen said. “It gives you opportunities to play with people that are better than you, and to mess up and to make mistakes and have it be totally fine.”
Hansen has found connection with the musical community at WWC through her involvement in music classes. These courses have allowed her to get to know other musicians on campus and spend time with people she can play music with and learn from.
“There's a small amount of professors that run [the music department], and they do a really good job of pushing people to do things that they wouldn't [normally] do,” Hansen said. “I have grown so much from being here, because it is such a small community.”
This small musical community has allowed Hansen to drive herself towards where she wants to be. In particular, she talked about a teacher helping her find a place outside of WWC for her to work on music. Hansen mentions a conversation with one of her teachers, Natalya Weinstein Miller, who is the instructor of music on campus..
“I want to intern at the country hall of fame, and she is like, ‘You need backups, because that's competitive...We can connect you in Black Mountain,’” Hansen said. “My songwriting teacher is helping me with my EP release, helping me to get played on the radio. The professors care and are all musicians themselves. They have all of their tendrils in the Asheville scene.”
Help from her teachers has given Hansen the confidence to continue pursuing her music career, while also allowing her to share her music. Hansen also encouraged traditional southern music lovers to attend the fall music festival from 2 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 for a chance to hear traditional studio bands on campus.
Owen Gunter, a junior, described their experience with the music scene on campus similarly to Hansen. Gunter, who is a member of the band Girl Fairy Tomboy, feels very positive about their experience playing music on campus. They describe the music community at WWC as accepting of mistakes and a hunger for growth.
Owen Gunter performs with Girl Fairy Tomboy bandmate Clara Shirley at the Love In The Shire showcase at Warren Wilson College (WWC) on Feb. 15, 2025 in Swannanoa, N.C.. (Vivian Bryan/The Echo)
“It's a pretty tight-knit community, but it's also very open [to all],” Gunter said. “I've heard word of other bands that are starting to spawn as the years go on. There's some shows coming up with some new people I've never worked with.”
Gunter also explained how being part of the music community at WWC has segued into opportunities for playing off campus.
“For DIY bands like these, it’s very easy for us to get off-campus sources,” Gunter said. “They needed bands to play, so we got a gig at Static Age, which was our first off-campus thing.”
Joe Castello, another member of Girl Fairy Tomboy, is a senior who helps organize many events for campus bands.
Joe Castello plays with Girl Fairy Tomboy bandmates at the Love In The Shire showcase at Warren Wilson College (WWC) on Feb. 15, 2025 in Swannanoa, N.C.. (Vivian Bryan/The Echo)
“There’s a lot of bands on campus, but it is also the same bands every time,” Castello said. “If anyone is interested in starting a band or wants people to connect with on music, talk to me and I can connect them with people. I want there to be more people to do shows.”
Castello emphasized the importance of having a musical outlet on campus and believes that having a space where everyone has a shared interest creates a sense of belonging.
“I think it’s fun to do shows on campus, and it’s a great opportunity for community,” Castello said. “It is hard as well, a lot of work, to do shows on your own. But it’s a great outlet to just play the stuff you want to play, or play with friends. I think the hardest part about that sometimes is people don’t always want to share their music that they make. Sometimes it’s hard to find enough people to make an event long enough or big enough to invite a larger community.”
On Oct. 25, Castello is organizing a show at Sage Cafe and encourages anyone who is curious to stop by.
Mark Gilbert, a freshman guitarist and singer-songwriter, holds similar opinions about the importance of having a safe space for musicians on campus.
Mark Gilbert plays at Sage Cafe on Sept. 26, 2025 on the Warren Wilson College (WWC) campus in Swannanoa, N.C.. (Neko Heinrich/The Echo)
“[Music] is not like magic, but if I have my guitar, it is a lot harder to feel lonely,” Gilbert said.
Castello finds that smaller events, such as Sage Cafe’s weekly open mic night, help him to feel support from peers through music. He thinks that having a safe space for musicians, new or experienced, to come together and showcase their talent helps build confidence.
“Just getting up there and playing is the hardest part; everyone is there to support you,” Castello said. “It’s very welcoming. I think it’s a little intimidating at first, but in general, everyone is super cool and accepting.”
Gilbert also found that open mic nights and similar spaces help grow the community of musicians on campus. Being surrounded by students who have a passion in common gives students an outlet for self-expression.
“A lot of people that play the open mic night are very awesome,” Gilbert said. “It’s just really easy to be very present. It’s easy to access, and it makes life a lot easier.”
At WWC, music holds importance for many people, and having a strong connection to others on campus through music is a vital part of belonging. From professors in the music department to open mic nights, WWC allows students to develop and showcase their musical talents while fostering a supportive community.
