Dr. Bauer's favorite roles include: Anne Truelove from Rake's Progress Marie from the Daughter of the Regiment and Mrs. Grose in Turn of the Screw. Dr. Bauer has also served as musical director for many musical productions such as: Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Forum, The Pirates of Penzance, etc.

At Western, Dr. Bauer is also the director of the Opera Workshop Ensemble. This ensemble excerpts scenes from opera and operetta and performs with costumes and sets. This ensemble also tours in the spring semester. In addition to performances in the western North Carolina region, Dr. Bauer also performs with a quartet of women called The Broadway Bunch.