Music Student Ambassadors

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Music Technology
Instrument: Percussion
Contact Noah

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose Duquesne because of the renowned music tech program and faculty. I knew in high school I wanted to study music tech, and after touring the school and meeting some of the faculty it was no brainer to go here. Additionally, I really like how hands on the program is and how it encourages diversity of musical interests. Here I can fully explore my interests in composition, recording, and performance despite my major only being in composition. All this coupled with the fact I live so close made Duquesne my top choice.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
I really enjoy getting into the studio as much as possible, whether it be playing or engineering. I thrive in that sort of environment, and having a professional quality recording studio to act as my playground is incredible. I also love my composition classes, as they encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and expand my creativity.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I intend to market myself both as a composer and audio engineer. Ideally I would be doing a mix of both studio work and composition for film and games after graduation.

Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Music Education
Instrument: Flute
Contact Cri

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose to attend Duquesne because I felt the music education department could not have beaten anywhere else. When applying to college, I had visited Duquesne three times before I was fully committed and every time I had visited, the music ambassadors had made it an unforgettable experience that I would love to pay forward.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite classes and activities as a music education major are my method and technique classes and being apart of all of our supplemental professional organizations.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I plan on working as a high school band or orchestra director. I would love to stay around the Pittsburgh area if able, and I would love to be within driving distance of Duquesne to be able to attend performances and help out with professional organizations as requested.

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Music Therapy
Instrument: Voice
Contact Senia

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose to attend Duquesne as a music major because I knew my education and well-being would be in good hands. The open-door policy among my music therapy professors is something only Duquesne had to offer. I could see the passion my professors had just meeting them on a zoom call for an audition and interview. It felt like the professors really wanted me there before I even started classes. The community also drew me here. Students are always willing to help each other, even when their schedules are packed, and even if they don’t know each other. The tight-knit group of students here is something I only saw at Duquesne. The people here really want to see you succeed!

What are some exciting opportunities you've had during your time here at Duquesne?
I've been able to be participate in the Full Spectrum Event series; a series designed to connect families and individuals in the autism community through the enjoyment of music. I got the opportunity to co-lead different music activities and learn more about the power of music!

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
I love performing in Pappert Chorale. Dr. Daley is incredible and always challenges us. I also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Full Spectrum Event; I got to lead music activities with other students and participants. It was such a good experience!

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I will have to complete a music therapy internship. After that, I hope to work in adolescent psychiatry as a music therapist. Wherever I end up, I know Duquesne prepared me well!

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Performance
Instrument: Clarinet
Contact Abbey

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose to attend Duquesne due to the inviting sense of community the students and faculty create. Duquesne has a non-competitive environment that I very much appreciate, not to mention, the amazing faculty and the wonderful Professor Samuels! I would love to further support this community as a music ambassador!

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite classes as a Music Major are large and small ensembles. I love to make music and interact with my peers. Being able to perform with my friends is something very endearing to me! I enjoy activities in which I am directly interacting with those in the school of music community. DEI events that I assisted with such as the grant writing workshop were the highlight of my semester because many of my classmates attended and we were all able to become further educated on how to share music with others!

What are your future plans after your graduate?
After I graduate I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in performance or arts management. During this time, I want to participate and be involved in local arts programs to learn more about the role of arts management and music directors. After graduate school, my main objective is to pursue a professional career as an orchestral musician and create my own chamber ensemble using my management experience. I am also interested in becoming a music director/conductor for a professional ensemble. One out of every eighteen conductors are female, and female musicians are still substantially outnumbered in the professional setting. I would love for my education and career to contribute to the expansion of gender representation within the field of music while keeping classical music alive.

Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Music Therapy
Instrument: Voice
Contact Skiyah

Why did you choose Duquesne?
After attending Admitted Students Day and meeting the faculty I began to truly see myself at Duquesne. The opportunities and hands-on experiences really spoke out to me, and it gave me the possibility of reaching my full potential and learn things I had never thought of learning about before. It felt like I could get a personalized experience with all of the faculty here on campus and that I was valued as more than a student.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
As a music therapy major, of course I love my music therapy classes and practicum! My teachers make sure to teach me all of the skills that I need to feel confident when I go into the field during practicum. The music therapy classes feel like such a safe space to grow and voice my confusion, ideas and frustration. Other than the music therapy classes, I love the ensembles that I am a part of. It is so relieving and fun to make music with the people I sit next to in class, and to grow my technique.

What are your future plans after your graduate?
I am in a 3+2 program, so after I finish my undergrad, I plan to begin internship and get a job as soon as possible. My dream population behavioral therapy with kids and teens. I eventually hope to open my own private practice for this population.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I find myself to be very creative and goal oriented. I always know that there is more to be done, and I often push forward to make those changes. I am in the process of attempting to reactivate Mu Phi with a group of students, and I believe this will be an interesting point for incoming students.

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Performance
Instrument: Clarinet
Contact Evan

Why did you choose Duquesne?
The main reason I chose Duquesne is because of the faculty. While visiting, I heard nothing but positive remarks about each of the faculty, and that has held true. All of the faculty are kind-hearted people that have challenged me to be the best musician possible.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
Without a doubt, my favorite class is orchestra. I am so blessed to rehearse and perform challenging repertoire with talented colleagues and a phenomenal director. Orchestra truly feels like a big community.

What are your future plans after your graduate?
After I graduate, I plan to pursue a master's degree in performance. Professionally, I would love to hold a position in a professional orchestra and have a clarinet studio of my own.

Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Music Therapy
Instrument: Voice
Contact Nicole

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose to attend Duquesne as a Music Therapy Major because I heard really good things about the program from a Music Therapy Alum saying that it was a good balance of the  music aspect as well as the health aspect, which I definitely agree with after having finished my first year and staring my second. It was something that was really important to me when I was looking for a program. I also chose Duquesne because I wanted to branch out from where I lived in Virginia and go to a city where I feel like I could find different music activities and opportunities in which I was happily satisfied early in my freshman year with when I discovered a variety of musical events in the area.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite classes as a Music Major would be piano or guitar. I really like how the piano class I’m in at the moment is more focused on how I could use it in a therapy setting like for example focusing on the improvisation aspect of it. I absolutely love improvising, and it’s made me realize that I might want to get into learning the Nordoff and Robbins approach in music therapy, and I feel like this class is really helping me prepare for that. I also really love my music therapy classes, I feel like it makes me think critically and I absolutely love all of my professors. I feel like if I don’t get the exact concept of an idea they still try to see where I’m coming from in order to understand my thinking.

What are your future plans after your graduate?
My plans after I graduate would be getting a master's as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker so I could potentially integrate that with my music therapy work and help clients beyond just the music therapy aspect of things. I also want to work in a medical setting, particularly NICU as well as have my own private practice that provides and has an emphasis on multicultural and multilingual services. It’s something that I have always been interested in since I’ve seen language barriers and cultural differences/understanding be a potential reason why people might resist reaching out to health services.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I'm bilingual! (Spanish and English)

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Music Therapy
Instrument: Voice
Contact Tara

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I loved the environment at Duquesne; this school balances very rigorous and rewarding programs with a friendly and supportive climate. I honestly felt seen and valued as an incoming student, and I loved the structure of the Music Therapy program. I also appreciated how the music school is relatively small and close-knit.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
I love Music Therapy and Developmental Health and Opera Workshop. I also love being a member of the Music Therapy Student Association.

What are your future plans after your graduate?
After I graduate, I hope to find a music therapy internship in the medical field, then take the CBMT exam and hopefully get a job in the medical field as a music therapist.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I was a team leader for Orientation at Duquesne this year, and I found that I really loved and have a passion for interacting with the new students. I think this would transfer over into interacting with potential students and families, and I would love to have the opportunity to share my love for the Music Therapy program here with people who might not be sure this is the right fit for them.

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Music Education
Instrument: Trumpet
Contact Colton

Why did you choose Duquesne?
Duquesne is the perfect size for a college in my opinion. It's also in the city which was something that I was looking for. Another draw for the school was Director of Jazz Activities Mike Tomaro. I went through high school playing many of his pieces in Jazz band. I also have family that are apart of the Duquesne Faculty.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite classes at the music school are the large ensembles that I am in: Jazz Ensemble and the Voices of Spirit. Music Major specific classes that I enjoy are Primary General Music Methods and Voice for Music Education.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
After I graduate I plan on staying to teach Pittsburgh area. At the moment I would be comfortable teaching at any grade level in any area, but my end goal would be to teach high school band. Farther in the future, I am planning on working for my Masters and then Doctorate to be able to teach at a college.

Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Performance
Instrument: Percussion
Contact Caitlyn

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose Duquesne because of my wonderful teachers, Jim Benoit and Chris Allen. They inspire me to work hard every day, and I am very grateful for them as they have already invested countless hours, during school and over the summer, to help me improve.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite classes include Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestral Repertoire Class.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I plan to pursue a master’s degree at either Rice University or San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Music Education
Instrument: Clarinet
Contact Noah

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I choose to attend Duquesne as a music major due to three Individuals. One of them was Dr. Doerksen in the Music Education department. When touring Duquesne he was very welcoming and kind. He allowed me to participate in the classes I observed which really helped cement that I wanted to learn more from him. Another reason was that in high school I attended a District Band festival at Duquesne. There I got to work under the direction of Dr. Gourlay. I got to speak with him as well and he invited me to come participate with symphony band as a high school student. It was that moment that made me want to learn more from him as my band director. The last individual was Mr. Howell, I had already been taking private lesson with him for about a year prior to being a student at Duquesne and he has always been kind, understanding, and drives me to do my best.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
As a Music Major I have 2 favorite classes. One of which is Advanced Band Methods with Dr. Doerksen. In advanced band methods I get to hone my craft as an educator and it is very rewarding being able to work with an ensemble in our lab. The other class is Wind Symphony with Dr. Gourlay where I get to play challenging repertoire with a first class ensemble.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
After I graduate I plan on attending graduate school as a clarinet performance major. Afterwards I am unsure if I will decide to go back into public school education or I may start tacking professional orchestra auditions with the hopes of teaching adjunct at a university as well.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I am a native to the Pittsburgh area, so I could be a guide to incoming students about the culture and benefits of living in greater Pittsburgh. I live in Canonsburg, PA and attending Canon McMillan School District Schools.

Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Music Therapy
Instrument: Double Bass
Contact Heyd

Why did you choose Duquesne?
Duquesne is the closest school to my home where I could stay with my family and help take care of things around the house AND pursue my passion and dream of being a Music Therapist. The kindness I was shown by everyone while I was applying and coming to shadow classes was so amazing for me too, and I'd like to replicate that for new students.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My Music Therapy classes, as well as orchestra and jazz band.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
To pursue the Childrens Hospital/Western Psych internship given to Music Therapy graduates.

Graduation Year: 2026
Major: Performance
Instrument: Violin

Why did you choose Duquesne?
The level of the university and the level of the teachers is very high.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
Musicianship & Orchestra

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
Medical School

Graduation Year: 2026
Major: Music Performance
Instrument: Tuba
Contact Nicholas

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose to attend Duquesne because of the faculty as well as the welcoming and positive environment that encourages success.

What are your favorite classes and activities as a student? 
The classes I enjoy most are all of the classes that I play tuba in and I also enjoy musicianship and Acoustics.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
Following my graduation, I plan to play tuba professionally in an orchestra or band.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself? 
I am military child, so I have experience throughout the country and this may allow me to connect with many incoming students.