Performance gives back

When Megan Bedingfield ’28 began her college search, she had her sights set on a career in medicine, applying to 20 universities with plans to major in pre-med. With a family full of healthcare professionals, it seemed like the logical path, but deep down, her heart belonged to the stage.

Music and theatre have been a part of Bedingfield’s life since second grade, when she first took theatre classes growing up in a small town in Tennessee. Over the years, she expanded her passion, playing the drums for 13 years and falling in love with singing and performing in high school.

“I had a role in ‘Sister Act’ in my first year at Cox Mill High School in Concord. Then I transferred to South Iredell High School and played Flounder in ‘The Little Mermaid,’” Bedingfield shared. “I applied to Lenoir-Rhyne because my director at South Iredell went to LR, and when I got here, I knew I wanted to pursue music and theatre as my career.”

Now a first-year student at Lenoir-Rhyne, Bedingfield is fully immersed in the performing arts, pursuing a double major in music and theatre. She is also a recipient of several scholarships, including funding through the Teaching Scholars program and a scholarship recognizing excellence in sacred music.

“Having that support behind me makes me feel motivated to excel and embrace the opportunities that support has made possible,” she said. “For example, I love being part of the A Cappella Choir here. The LR Christmas performance was such a challenging but fulfilling experience, and I’m looking forward to our spring tour and performing in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York and becoming part of the history of that sacred place.”

Bedingfield’s involvement extends beyond music. After working backstage on the Lenoir-Rhyne Playmakers’ fall production of “The Addams Family,” she felt inspired to officially add a second major in theatre. Balancing both disciplines is no small feat, but she welcomes the challenge.

“I’m taking 22 credit hours this semester,” she shared. “But it’s worth it to feel fulfilled in what I’m doing. I feel like what I’m doing is coming from my heart.”

As a member of the Fritz Honors College, Bedingfield is also making an impact on campus beyond the stage. The program’s student-led structure allows her to play a role in shaping its future.

“The honors college is very much student-directed,” she explained. “There’s not a single leadership team. Every member has a say about what we will do, and Dr. Vahlbusch encourages our contributions and collaborates with us. We’re building a community that can serve our academic demands, and he encourages us to think through complex ideas and find our own answers.”

As her first year at LR nears its end, Bedingfield is looking ahead with a clear vision. She plans to pursue a career as a high school chorus and orchestra teacher, with the long-term goal of earning a doctorate in choral conducting. But her ambitions don’t stop there—she’s also committed to giving back to the campus that has helped her find her voice.

“I want to make a difference here, especially to raise the profile of the arts on campus,” she said. “I want to get the most out of college, have positive and challenging experiences and share those experiences with others.”