Music Education alumna Hayley Gotzsche wins Golden Apple Award

Hayley Gotzsche decided at a very young age that being a music teacher would be a great job. "I've always loved music," she said. "Music has always been a source of joy and an expression of confidence. It was just natural to go into it. I love to get to bring those...

Kelly Gross named Illinois Higher Education Art Educator of the Year

Kelly Gross, Ph.D., assistant professor of art and design education in the NIU School of Art and Design has been named the 2025-2026 Higher Education Art Educator of the Year by the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA). Gross was honored at their annual...

NIU faculty, alumni and students highlight annual National Art Education Association conference

A strong contingent of faculty, alumni and students will represent the NIU School of Art and Design's art and design education program at this year's National Art Education Association conference in Chicago March 5-7. Three members of the faculty are being awarded...

CHECK OUT OUR STORY ARCHIVES

ART AND DESIGN

MUSIC

THEATRE AND DANCE

Huskie Spotlight: Matthew Kiser

Huskie Spotlight: Matthew Kiser

Matthew Kiser Bachelor's in Music Performance, emphasis in Steelpan Studies What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path? As a kid, my interests were always evolving and changing. I always was...

Huskie Spotlight: Izabella Gieron

Huskie Spotlight: Izabella Gieron

Izabella Gieron Spring 2021 graduate, Bachelor's in Music Education and Violin Performance, Independent Study in Orchestral Conducting "I decided to study these majors because I want to be able to share my knowledge and passion for music through playing, teaching, and...

SIGN UP FOR THE ARTS BLOG NEWSLETTER

THE ARTS AT NIU

All Rights Reserved. Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University ©2026