Kacee Dugas is pursuing her master of music in world music performance and cello performance. She is also teaching MUHL 222: World Music and Cultures.
“I’m learning a lot as a dual student/teacher, and I love getting to share what I’m studying.”
Read Kacee’s entire Huskie Spotlight.
Elizabeth Nowak is a double major in theatre studies and anthropology who is excited to have found the perfect way to blend her interests in the arts and sciences.
“I always knew I wanted to pursue both the arts and sciences,” Nowak said. “I would go back and forth between dream jobs, talking about how I’d be a marine biologist, author, vet, actor or zoologist. I knew I wanted to conduct research and learn about the world, but I also wanted to create. I remember being panicked in elementary school, thinking I’d have to decide between art and science. Now, I am pursuing a double major in anthropology and theatre studies. I get to combine science, humanities and art, and I love it.
The third-year student from St. Charles, who plans to graduate in Spring 2027 is the subject of a Huskie Spotlight.
Daniel Chukwunyem enjoys being at NIU and appreciates the diversity of the campus. “I love the community. It is quite wonderful to see different folks from different walks of life coexisting. Also, I particularly love how experienced and welcoming the faculty are.”
Chukwunyem is a master of music student from Lagos, Nigeria. He is active on campus and was recently nominated as president of NIU’s Nigerian Student Association.
Teddy Malamis, a senior music education major from Naperville, is the subject of a Huskie Spotlight.
Malamis says, “I have loved music since a young age and was truly changed for the better by my music educators in elementary, middle and high school. I wish to have the same effect on my students one day.”
Alma Perotte, who is majoring in music education and steelpan performance in the School of Music is the subject of a Huskie Spotlight.
Alma says she knew as a child growing up in Belize City, Belize that she wanted music to be an essential part of her life.
When I was growing up, I always wanted to be a musician. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, especially since I grew up in a very artistic household. My mother was a dancer, and my father was a musician. I was surrounded by rhythm and creativity every day, and that’s what inspired my passion for the steelpan and percussion. Today, I’m proud to say that I’m pursuing that dream by majoring in music education and performance. This path allows me not only to grow as a performer but also to share my culture and inspire others through teaching and music.
You can read Alma’s full spotlight on the NIU website.
