Tysseland will graduate this fall with a Master of Music, with a focus on conducting. After receiving her undergraduate degree in piano performance at the University of Saskatchewan, she freelanced, but her work took her in an unexpected direction.

Angie Tysseland receives her Master of Music at Fall Convocation 2009

“As I went along, I found I was doing a lot of conducting,” Tysseland said. She returned to the U of S to further her education and was two months from completing her final project when she encountered an unforeseen obstacle.

Tysseland was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in spring 2008 and postponed the completion of her degree to receive treatment. Despite the difficult situation, Tysseland said she felt support from everyone around her, including the music department.

“They had invested a lot into me, so I sort of felt like I was letting them down. But they basically just said, it’s not about us. Take the time and do what you have to do.”

A fundraiser event that brought in nearly $30,000 to help Tysseland cover her expenses was held in October 2008, and was so successful that a second event, Trials by Fire II, has been planned for Oct. 28. All proceeds from this year’s event, which features all Saskatchewan artists, will go to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

After treatment, she returned to the department and directed two full-scale productions of The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky, with the original libretto and a little-known one by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

“They say if you can conduct that, you can conduct anything,” Tysseland laughed.

Unfortunately, the cancer returned in April 2009. Doctors told her that with ovarian cancer, a recurrence is always fatal. Tysseland had yet to complete her written thesis, when she decided she had had enough and took a break. However, she quickly changed her mind about finishing.

“It was so close. The hard part was done. So one day I thought, I’m just going to do it.” She gave herself one day to work on the thesis, and by day’s end, she had a completed draft.

“People ask, what reason is there to finish a degree if you’re not going to use it? And the answer is – it’s interesting! It’s in the last stages of work that the rewards really come. Seeing it and holding it in your hands and having an audience – that’s what makes it all worthwhile. And it wasn’t a chore at all. It was thrilling.”

Having now completed her master’s degree, Tysseland is writing new musicals, conducting and teaching chant at yoga studios. “I’ve just decided to make creativity my path. Music is the best healing method I can use for myself. It’s the closest thing to me.”