Alumni

Our graduates follow diverse career paths that take them all over the United States. Music teacher placement over the last three years includes schools in Arizona, North Carolina, Colorado and many locations in Ohio. Other recent graduates have gone on to graduate school at Florida State University, Indiana State University, the University of Illinois, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, California Institute of the Arts, SUNY Buffalo, the University of Colorado and the Ohio State University. ONU alumni are on college and university faculties all over the country. Recent graduating classes have achieved 100% job placement.

Greg Decker

Graduated: 2006
Major: Music Education
Currently: Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Bowling Green State University

"I chose to attend Ohio Northern because I wanted to learn in a small school environment that offered big opportunities. At Northern, it's easy to feel like part of the family -- the professors prioritize individual attention and aid students in reaching their potential. Although I gained the skills to be successful in any path, I chose to attend graduate school. Now I'm a Ph.D. student in music theory; someday, I'll give back to other students what I enjoyed at Northern!"

John Laswell

Graduated: 2008
Major: Music Education, Instrumental—Percussion
Currently: Band Director at Waterford High School in Waterford, Ohio teaching 5-12 grade concert band, 2nd and 4th grade general music, marching band, pep band, and jazz band

"The small class sized and "homey" atmosphere at Ohio Northern University helped me to excel in several areas.  I was able to get lots of one-on-one instruction which really helped me improve on any area that I needed to.  Not only did I excel as a performer, but these experiences made me a better teacher as well.  Had I gone to any other school, I don't believe I would have been given as many opportunities as I was while my time with ONU."

Kristi Reed (Russell)

Graduated: 2010
Major: Music Performance (Voice); Professional & Organizational Communications
Currently: Manager of Development at the Taft Museum of Art in downtown Cincinnati. Kristi also sings with the May Festival Chorus.

“ONU is my second home. The welcoming atmosphere, small class sizes, and ever helpful professors all helped me to become the person I am today. The encouragement from the music department and other ONU faculty aided my decision to attend graduate school in Arts Administration and get my MBA. With these degrees, I can continue to work in the arts and ensure that they have a lasting impact on others.”

Chrissy Wenning

Graduated: 2009
Major: Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre

"The education and experiences I had at Ohio Northern University have shaped the person I am today.  I feel that I received a well-rounded education while at ONU, and the faculty and staff were, and continue to be, very supportive and encouraging of my endeavors as a musician."

Virginia Harrod

Graduated: 2010
Major: Music Eduation, Music Performance
Currently: K-5 music teacher at Winterfield Elementary School in Charlotte, NC. In addition to teaching during the day, Virginia also assists with the Winterfield Orchestra program, which gives free music lessons to participating students in grades 2-5.

"During my time at Ohio Northern, I was provided with amazing opportunities that gave me some insight into being a real teacher.  The best thing I did during my time at ONU was student teach abroad at the International School of Estonia.  During my time in Estonia, not only did I gain cultural knowledge that I am now sharing with my students, but also a great hands-on experience with students who are all extremely different from each other.  My students in Estonia sang a song that I taught to my students in Charlotte, and we swapped videos, so that my students in Charlotte who might never get an opportunity to go abroad could see that kids even across the world aren't so different from them.  Without ONU, I would never be able to provide these enlightening experiences to my current students."

Tyler Graves

"Ohio Northern University was the perfect choice for my undergraduate music degree.  The variety of musical ensembles, such as wind orchestra, jazz band and combo, orchestra, marching band, and pit orchestra, as well as the experiences that go along with each of those ensembles was the key to my post graduate success.  Another key component were the professors, including those in the classroom, private lessons, and conducting the ensembles.  The professors were not only educators and mentors, but friends as well.  I am currently a candidate for a master's in music performance at Miami University, and have recently performed at Carnegie Hall, as well as festivals at New York City's Lincoln Center/Juilliard, and Chicago's Ravinia.  Ohio Northern University helped make this possible."