Music Student Ambassadors

Why did you choose Duquesne?
The flexibility in teaching that comes with our teaching certification is appealing because I may either stay in Pittsburgh or want to move to another state, and the program at Duquesne will allow me access to teaching in those states. I was also comforted by the timeliness in responses from both the Duquesne housing administration and the music faculty because it allowed me to feel supported in a new place.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
I love choir and my teaching classes the most. Choir has allowed me to be involved in a tight knit community that I wouldn't otherwise find, build my musicianship, and travel to locations off campus for concerts and other choral opportunities. My teaching classes and relevant coursework have given me opportunities to practice my teaching and see different styles of teaching to help build my resume of classroom activities and teaching knowledge, also allowing me to travel off campus for those opportunities.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I would love to teach high school choir or band and try and get into a masters program overseas for either conducting or music composition. Furthering my academics would elevate both my musicianship and my teaching, and allow me to learn more about music in different contexts.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I would love to help share the culture of this school, its truly a special environment.

   Graduation Year: 2029
   Major: Performance
   Instrument: Flute
   Contact Sophie

Why did you choose Duquesne?
The main reason why I came to Duquesne was because of the amazing faculty, more specifically Ms. Kenny, my flute professor. This school also fosters a non-competitive environment where both faculty and students want to see you succeed. Instead of seeing other students as competition, Duquesne has allowed me to see them as colleagues, which is not the norm in every music school.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite classes as a Music Major is my applied lesson with Ms. Kenny and Wind Symphony with Dr. Gourlay. Ms. Kenny helps me create a path to achieve my goals and improve as a musician. Dr. Gourlay's Wind Symphony rehearsals are always high energy, which I thoroughly enjoy. I always love the pieces Dr. Gourlay picks for our concerts because it really challenges me as a musician, which is important to me.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
After I graduate from Duquesne, I plan to apply to a music conservatory for my master's degree.

   Major: Music Education
   Instrument: Tuba
   Contact Samantha

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose Duquesne for two main reasons: the professors are incredibly supportive and passionate about their jobs. I also picked Duquesne because of the field experiences starting first semester. Experience is a vital part of learning.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
I like intro to music ed and symphony band. Intro to MUED has fieldwork and it breaks down how to start teaching. Symphony band mixes people of different majors and lets us play new music.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I plan to teach band in either Pittsburgh or Baltimore!

  Graduation Year: 2029
  Major: BA in Music
  Instrument: Voice
  Contact Kiefer

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I came to Duquesne for music because it aligned with my lifelong interest of pursuing singing and musical performance. While I am not a performance major, I am able to still grow significantly in my performance abilities and have discovered new interests such as music technology that I had not considered before.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
I love being a part of Pappert Chorale as my main ensemble this year. Alongside that, I have grown to love my SRT classes such as Audio Industry Techniques which has gained me so many new friends and knowledge. One of my favorite activities outside of classes is now being the secretary of ACDA.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I love being in Pittsburgh, as I am originally from Gettysburg, so as of now my plan is to try and stay in Pittsburgh after I graduate and get a job as sound engineer for a theatre in Pittsburgh, maybe for the CLO, while also continuing to pursue any performance opportunities I come across.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
As I shared earlier I am a Theatre Arts Minor and am frequently involved with the Red Masquers which I find is a common interest with other music majors.

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: 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: 2028
Major: Performance
Instrument: Clarinet
Contact Elijah

Why did you choose Duquesne?
Duquesne University is in my home town of Pittsburgh and is next to one of the best orchestras in the world. My old teachers that were once students here at Duquesne suggested that I come here to work with Ron Samuels for clarinet performance.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
Music Theory from 1-5 have all been super fun and helpful in creating a better understanding of music, but also directly helping me understand how to make better music on my own instrument.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I would love to go to attend a master program at a school that I have yet to decide in order to master my instrument and hopefully join an orchestra someday on either bass clarinet or clarinet. Alongside that, I would love to start a clarinet studio in order to pass what I know down to future music students who may pursue music in their future.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I would like to suggest the CBE committee and the student ambassador committee to directly work together in seeking students from areas that may not know of Duquesne University to bring opportunities to all.

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: 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 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 Education
  Instrument: Voice
  Contact CJ

Why did you choose Duquesne?
Duquesne felt home. I was always comparing the other colleges I visited to here. My family and I joked that I was acting like Goldilocks because this school was too big and this one was too small and that school is too close to home and this one was too far but Duquesne checked all of my boxes and was just right! I also loved my preview lesson with prof. DeFade so I knew I was going to get along well with her.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My favorite is probably Voices of Spirit. The choir is an amazing group of musicians and we’re all one big family. I love getting to challenge myself and get to make music with such talented people. A specifically music education class are the technique classes where we learn to play different instruments. I definitely struggle at first as a non-instrumental primary, but I’ve grown so much in my musicianship from it.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I’d love to teach a middle or high school choral program including the school musical if possible. I’d also love to work an administrative role at university similar to Diana or Tom Carsecka’s because I enjoy the behind the scenes of student success as well.

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I am a gender queer student and am happy to talk about that affects me as a student. I am also very open with my mental health and can talk about any worries students might have in regards to that. I am a part of the CBE committee, the Orff ensemble, and the NAfME board and can share any information about those programs as well.

Graduation Year: 2028
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: 2028
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: 2027
Major: Music Education
Instrument: Clarinet
Contact Noah

Why did you choose Duquesne?
I chose 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?
I chose Duquesne because of my love and passion for music therapy and the work I want to do within the field. The faculty and community the school had as well felt incredibly welcoming to me when I was coming before my attendance to shadow classes. It felt like I was truly wanted, and so I knew I wanted to be here too.

What are your favorite classes or activities as a student?
My music therapy courses are certainly my favorite things to put my focus into, and I really enjoy my private lessons with my long-term mentor Paul Thompson.

What are your future plans after you graduate? 
I plan on trying to ingratiate myself in the field as quickly as possible, going through my internship process and then receiving my certification to practice. Ideally, I'll go on to receive a masters degree in music therapy later on as well.