Huskie Spotlight: Annika Roberts, ’23, Cello Performance and Psychology

What did you want to be when you were growing up?  I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a musician because I come from a musical family. Pursing a degree in cello performance has been my plan since childhood, but during high school I also decided that I wanted to pursue psychology.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study? My first major is a B.M. in cello performance. Both my sister and my mom have degrees in cello so it only felt natural that I get one too. My second degree is a B.A. in psychology. Human behavior fascinates me so I wanted to learn more about the human brain and how it functions.

What is your favorite thing about studying and/or playing music at NIU? My favorite thing about playing music at NIU has been being part of a fantastic studio. I love how we all support each other by attending recitals and performances, as well as watching livestreams if we can’t make it in person. Also, I played in three studio recitals during my time at NIU which were all a lot of fun.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why?  My favorite instructor at NIU was my cello professor Cheng-Hou Lee. He helped me grow so much as a cellist and always encouraged me to play with more confidence. I am going to use the tools that he taught me to further improve my skills and hopefully pursue cello in graduate school.

Why did you choose NIU to study music? I transferred to NIU in the fall of 2020 for my sophomore year. My mom attended NIU back in the 80’s and studied cello, so she advised me to consider it. After a trial lesson with Cheng-Hou Lee I knew that it was the right fit for me.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community?  Cast Iron Coffee is a great place to study and hang out with friends. It has a cozy atmosphere and great coffee!

What advice would you give to a student who is applying to colleges? : If you are going to be a music major, make sure that you have trial lessons with professors at different schools to see who you click with.

What do you do to relax or recharge?  I watch a lot of TV, some of my go-to shows are Frasier, The Office, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, and We Bare Bears. I also like to play puzzle games on my phone, like Sudoku.

Coming to college, what is something that you have had to learn to do differently? My study habits changed in college. When I was in high school I didn’t really know how to study, but I learned what works best for me and how to efficiently study.