If applied voice instructor Lori Shaffer of Southeast Missouri State University was heard laughing hysterically down the hallway of a River Campus building, it very well could have been caused by the goofy, animated humor of her student Madeline Flieg.

However, that same laughter is not heard from Shaffer as often, since Flieg's death on Dec. 22.

Flieg, a music performance and education major at Southeast, was known by many for her musical talents.

She was the first place winner of the Music Teachers National Association 2015 competition at the Upper Division Collegiate level, a finalist in the annual Southeast Missouri State Concerto and Aria competition and had earned the lead role in the River Campus' opera production of "Trial by Jury," which premiered Jan. 22.

But beyond the voice that captured the attention of audiences and was recognized as outstanding by dozens of music professionals, Flieg is missed for her ability to give her peers and professors a certain peace only she was capable of. Her presence relieved the stresses that come with life at the River Campus with her own unique aura, according to Shaffer. Shaffer said her character was therapeutic to the people who had the opportunity to know her.

"She was a ray of sunshine," Shaffer said. "If I was having a bad day, after a lesson with her, I would always leave better. And, Madeline had the goofiest sense of humor. She taught me how to be able to laugh at myself, and kept me from being discouraged. Her energy could always put me in a better mood."

Southeast's music department received the news of Flieg's death through email from administrative assistant Beverly Delph. A number of students felt immediate devastation in the loss of a young woman who inspired them to excel in their craft the same way she had. Hannah Sherer, a junior music education major, said everyone in the vocal department looked up to her.

"Madeline was by far the best we had," Sherer said. "She had this effortless light vibrato in her voice, and I have never heard anything like it. She was everything that I could never be vocally. Knowing that there was so much talent and beauty in one individual makes it so heartbreaking that she is gone. But I know I can honor her by trying new opportunities that I would never have done had she not inspired me to do it."

Senior music education major Hope Hall was in nearly every one of Flieg's education courses taken at Southeast, and said her passion for music was kept alive because of Madeline's presence in her life.

"My ability to maintain love for music and the desire to create things was because of Madeline," Hall said. "She was so talented in all things artistic. I would tell her at the end of recitals, 'I owe you at least, like, 25 bucks for getting to hear that.' Her passion for music really came through in her performances, and it was nice being around someone so passionate about what she enjoyed doing. She was passionate, but yet always laughing, smiling and joking around. She was one of the most positive people I knew."

Flieg was 21 years old when she died, and despite the tragedy of a life ended young, it has given Southeast's music department the opportunity to grow closer as a community.

"I find silver lining in the fact that we are so much stronger as a group," Sherer said. "I considered everyone my friends before we lost Madeline, but now we are all family, including the professors and department chair. We are all there for each other no matter what, and that has completely shown through this time. I just hope we can all live with Madeline's memory in our hearts and minds and do her proud. I hope we made her proud with our performances in the opera."

Southeast offers services that provide relief for students who have experienced loss or a life-altering event. Anyone in need of counseling or therapy may seek help by contacting Counseling and Disability Services at (573) 986-6191 or emailing ucs@semo.edu.