Angela Hammerli, distinguished service professor of teacher education and coordinator of Jubilee, is an active woman at Nicholls and in her community. She has been in charge of Jubilee for the past 10 years. Along with being a member of the Jubilee, Hammerli choreographed “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” that was put on by the Nicholls Players.

Q: How many years have you been the coordinator of the Jubilee?

A: I have been the coordinator since 1997, when we were planning for the 1999 Jubilee. We called it “The Golden Jubilee.”

Q: What was it like for the first Jubilee?

A: For the first Jubilee we had many events going on at the same time because it was also Nicholls’ 50th Anniversary. There were more events happening one after the other. The Jubilee was only about a week long back then.

Q: What events would you say are your favorites?

A: The Folklife Festival is definitely a favorite because I am always charmed by the couples of all ages that love to dance to the Cajun heritage music. We also have preschoolers that come and dance to the Cajun music. Another one of my favorites is the Louis Armstrong Society Jazz Band Ensemble. I love to observe the audience smiling and clapping.

Q: Who is your favorite musician?

A: My favorite musician is Leon Bates. He is a solo pianist. He actually came to play at the Jubilee two years ago. I like him because you can tell that he loves his music by his body language that you can read.

Q: What is the hardest event to plan?

A: The most challenging is the Folklife Festival because there are so many different components in it. It takes the most energy to plan.

Q: What has been your favorite year?

A: This year so far is my favorite year because I am in the middle of it. The anticipation has kept my energy up. The color of the magazine has great color and brings people into all of the arts. This year more people are asking me for the magazine and about the events.

Q: Do you think that this year more people are interested in attending the events?

A: I think that people are ready for us this year. The community is looking for what we have to offer to them.

Q: What does the task entail to be the coordinator of the Jubilee?

A: You have to be able to think of numerous things at one time. The hardest task is the closing on the publication.

Q: What other activities do you participate in on campus and in the community?

A: I will be teaching an aerobic dance class at a health fair on March 30 in the Ballroom. I also choreographed “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” and I am working on the One River Mississippi Perfect Project.