Directory

Hometown

• Noblesville, Ind.

What do you like most about your major?

The people. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by a super supportive faculty that are amazing, world-class performers, and the most kind and caring students. The music department has always felt so welcoming and inviting.

What do you love most about UD?

I love how there is a place for everyone to belong within UD. There are so many student organizations, majors, ways to get involved and places to live on campus that it's impossible to feel alone or like you do not have a support system. UD is place where all people from different backgrounds and different preferences can belong.

Have you ever studied abroad? If so, where and what did you learn most from that experience?

I studied abroad during the summer of 2022 in Segovia, Spain, for four weeks as part of the completion of my Spanish degree. From this, I mostly learned to be brave. Talking in Spanish all of the time and trying so many new foods that my host mom prepared was sometimes exhausting. I had to trust I had the language skills and that my host mom would take care of me and speak out anytime I was confused or unsure. As a typically introverted person, this was very scary for me, but being brave and confident and being willing to learn made this experience all the more rewarding.

Favorite class at UD and why?

My favorite class at UD is a tie between Ethics of American Popular Music and Medical Spanish. I loved Ethics because of the professor. Dr. Dorf is one of the most engaging and knowledgable professors I've ever had, and in what other class can you use to "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé as academic material? I loved Medical Spanish because it combined my two majors into one class, as I am hoping to work in a medical setting post-graduation and learning Spanish is one of my biggest passions. Everything I learned felt super applicable and engaging.

What piece of your academic journey has most prepared you to begin a career after graduation?

As a Music Therapy major, my answer is easy, because it has to be our practicum. At UD, Music Therapy majors get to spend five of their semesters out in the field, conducting music therapy sessions once or twice a week for a variety of clients, while being supervised by a member of our faculty. The further you get into the program, the more of a say you get in your practicum placements so that you can really explore areas of music therapy that interest you the most. These have helped immensely in narrowing down my preferred settings, to better prepare me for life after graduation.

What clubs/organizations are you involved in at UD?

• Music Therapy Club
• Music Student Advisory Council
• Sustainability Activation Program
• Clarinet Ensemble
• Symphonic Wind Ensemble
• Ebony Heritage Singers
• Music Office employee

Why did you choose UD?

I chose UD because of the environment. As a Music major, I had to audition to be accepted into my degree, and UD's audition day was so unlike any other school. I felt so supported by the faculty, as if they wanted me to get in and wanted me to do well. I was paired with a current music student that walked me around and cheered me on throughout the day. Everything about my audition day felt perfect, and I knew that this is where I belonged. Also, it doesn't hurt that the campus is absolutely gorgeous.

Is there anything else about your UD experience you think prospective students and their families should know?

My biggest piece of advice that I like to give to prospective or first-year students is to make sure you get involved in at least one club/organization/activity that does not have to do with your major, or take a class that does not directly relate to your major. No matter which school you choose, college is hard work. Try to find places you belong in which you are surrounded by people with a similar interest as you, but that you don't see every day in class. Joining an organization outside of the Department of Music was the best decision I ever made for my own mental health, and to give me space to focus on something that I love, that isn't for a grade.