Huskie Spotlight: Ning Wang, ’24, Music Education, Choral

What did you want to be when you were growing up? I always wanted to be a musician throughout my whole life. Music is everything to me. I already had my master degree in piano performance back in 2012-2013, and now I am back to extend my knowledge to in more comprehensive music education licensure.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study? Music education with choral emphasis

What is your favorite thing about studying and/or playing music at NIU? Connecting with people in the field who share my passion, as well as those who have resources to guide me in the direction I want to go.

How have you connected with other students at NIU? Students who take the same classes often share a common passion, and we help each other through discussions and collaborative work.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? Dr. JC Wang. She come from the same country as I do, which is Taiwan. She makes me feel connected and comfortable to be her class.

Why did you choose NIU to study music? NIU’s music education program is well-known and has a reputation in the state. It’s closer to where I live, and I was familiar with the facility and environment.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? For me, it’s the Starbucks in the Holmes Student Center. I can sit there for many hours with one cup of coffee.

What advice would you give to a student who is applying to colleges? Prioritizing things in order is important. You might feel hectic and worried about not being able to complete assignments or tests, but once you manage your time, everything will go smoothly. It’s based on my personal experience.

What do you do to relax or recharge? Doing chores actually relaxes me. It distracts my attention from pressure while keeping the house clean, which is nice. It’s a win-win.

Coming to college, what is something that you have had to learn to do differently? I used to be a pianist and confined myself only to piano and other piano students. Coming back to NIU has broadened my horizons in the way I see music learning and teaching. It has shown me how creative they can be.