“Get involved, you meet tons of people by getting involved in something whether it’s one club or 20, you’ll get to know a lot of people and you’ll make a lot of friends quickly.

I’m from Le Mars, Iowa, and I’ve always been drawn to all music activities. As soon as I could play an instrument, I wanted to do it all. Once I was in high school I did everything: I did jazz band, concert band, and marching band, where I was the drum major; I did show choir, concert choir, solo-ensemble, speech, and All-State Choir; I even did theatrical activities and set crew stuff/stage crew activities! After years of practice, I play trumpet, French horn, piano, organ, and most percussion instruments, and I sing.

While I was in high school the Morningside Choir came and sang for us. After that, I did a summer tour and the Morningside Choir president gave me a tour of campus and I absolutely loved it. Dr. Ryan Person also really wanted me to come and I appreciated that he made me feel wanted and welcomed.

Now, as a part of The Morningside Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz band, and Marching Mustangs, I’ve had so many amazing experiences in music. Some of those memories include going to Cincinnati for ACDA and then going on May Term in South Africa with the Morningside Choir. Additionally, the Morningside Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz band have all gone on regional tours of the area doing fun outreach activities with high school students.

After I graduate with my bachelor’s in music education, I want to get my master’s in education here at Morningside. I plan to teach high school, but I eventually would like to get my doctorate in choral conducting and eventually teach at a university.

While I love being a part of the music department I also love getting involved in other ways on campus. I am a part of the WOO crew, a peer mentor, I serve as student body Vice President in student government, and I work on campus. I love being involved in everything.

I like to say I want to be everybody’s cheerleader, always be someone that people can talk to, and inspire people with the power of positive thinking.”