Huskie Spotlight

Meet some of our great students and faculty.

Olivia Garcia, ’24, Music Education

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Olivia Garcia, '24, Music EducationWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? When I was younger, I jumped around with things I wanted to do when I grow up. Before I got to high school, I wanted to be an engineer. But...

Andrew Kinsey, ’25, Percussion

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Andrew Kinsey, '25, Percussion What did you want to be when you were growing up? When I was nine years old, I was convinced and wanted more than anything to be a rock drummer in a touring band around the world. As I grew...

Brooks Wallace, ’24, Music Performance and Sociology

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Brooks Wallace, '24, Music Performance and SociologyWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? Music has always been a large part in my life, and outer space has also always fascinated me as well. As someone who loves to...

Hyounkyoung Kim, ’24, Master of Music

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Hyounkyoung Kim, '24, Master of MusicWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? Now, I hope to be a collaborative musician. What is your major (and/or minor)? Piano and organ What is your favorite thing about studying...

Megan Rault, ’23, Jazz Studies

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Megan Rault, '24, Jazz StudiesWhat is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study? Music Performance - Jazz Studies What is your favorite thing about studying and/or playing music at NIU? My...

Axel Solorzano, ’24, Music Education

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Axel Solorzano, '24, Music EducationWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? I was always unsure and changed my mind a lot. My last couple of years in high school I always knew I liked teaching music but tried to...

Emma Anderson, ’24, Music Education

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Emma Anderson, '24, Music EducationWhat is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study? I am studying Music Education. I chose this major because making and sharing music has always been a focal...

Matthew Kiser, ’23, Master of Music

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Matthew Kiser, '23, Master of MusicWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? Like most children, I had a lot of changing interests. I was interested in music at a young age but never saw myself doing it as a career....

Chey Fleming, ’24, Music Education

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Chey Fleming, '24, Music EducationWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? I wanted to be everything when I was growing up: tattoo artist, chef, pharmacist, rock star, you name it. I knew I wanted to go to college, but...

Jair Nunez, ’24, Music Education

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Jair Nunez, '24, Music EducationWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? I initially wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up, but somewhere along the way, I stumbled upon a violin, and from there on I loved it. I...

Austyn Menk, ’23, Master of Music

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Austyn Menk, '23, Master of MusicWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? Years ago, I totally saw myself ending up as an astronaut, archeologist, or brain surgeon. I'm unfortunately far too out of shape to be an...

Jean Leroy, ’23, Master of Music

Music Huskie Spotlight Huskie Spotlight: Jean Leroy, '23, Master of MusicWhat did you want to be when you were growing up? I was undecided up until age 19, at which point I realized that music was a real possibility. I have been a student and professional since that...