Music Profiles

Miriam Stoner

Name: Miriam Stoner

Hometown: Bellefontaine, OH

Year: Junior

Major: Music Performance, voice

Involvement at Ohio Northern: I am in University Singers, Women’s Chorus. I sing with the ONU Jazz Band, and have performed in Opera Workshop. I am a member of Delta Omicron (music honorary), Alpha Lambda Delta (female academic honorary), and Alpha Xi Delta.

Why did you choose ONU: My mother and grandfather both attended law school here, so I was already familiar with the ONU before deciding to apply. They suggested that I visit ONU during my college search and I fell in love with its small-town feel, beautiful campus, and welcoming faculty and staff. The music department and financial aid office worked together and with me to make it possible for me to receive plenty of scholarship money. Everyone I met on campus was friendly and kind. ONU has an energy to it that is extremely positive and uplifting. I knew that it was the perfect fit for me... and I was right!

Why do you like ONU: I like ONU because of its size and proximity to where I live. I enjoy the personal attention I get from my professors who all know me by name. It’s nice to attend a small university as a performance major because the opportunities are endless. As a vocal music student at Ohio Northern, I not only study classical vocal literature, but also audition for musicals at the Freed Center and sing with the ONU Jazz Ensemble. I am provided with training and experience in various styles of vocal music. That training will help me to become a versatile performer who can compete in today’s working world.

Future plans after graduation: After I graduate from ONU, I plan to attend Graduate School for either classical or jazz voice.

Marissa Mauro

Name: Marissa Mauro

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Jamestown, New York

Major: Music Performance and Music Education, flute

Involvement at ONU: I am involved in Delta Omicron (music honorary), Tau Beta Sigma (music service), Phi Eta Sigma (freshman honorary), ONU Pro-Life, Wind Orchestra, Marching Band, Woodwind Ensemble, and Flute Choir.

Why did you choose ONU: I chose ONU because of the awesome people, faculty, and staff. They had both of my majors and a marching band.

Why do you like ONU: I like everything but mainly the people and personalities.

Future plans after graduation: I would like to continue my education and receive a doctoral diploma in Music Performance. After that, I plan to teach as a flute professor at a university and play in an orchestra.

Tony Wan

Name: Tony Kit Fung Wan

Year: Junior

Hometown: Hong Kong, China

Major: Music Performance, piano

Involvement at ONU: I accompany the Men's Chorus, and I'm also involved in Delta Omicron and University Singers.

Why did you choose ONU: It is a private school and the quality of the facilties are great!

Why do you like ONU: It is not too big, therefore, I get to know most the of the students in the music department. The professors here are all very caring. They are willing to talk to you about anything, anytime.

Future plans after graduation: After graduation, I want to pursue a Masters Degree in Piano Performance.

Kaitlin McKibben

Name: Kaitlin McKibben

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Waynesboro, Virginia

Major: Music Education, oboe

Involvement at ONU: I am involved in Marching Band, Wind Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra.

Why did you choose ONU: I chose ONU because it gave me the opportunity to move outside of Virginia and explore music more definitely. As soon as I stepped onto campus I realized that ONU was where I was meant to be. Although I miss the mountains of Virginia, I know that ONU was the perfect choice for me.

Why do you like ONU: I like how easy it is to fit in here at ONU. On my first day on campus, people were coming up to me asking where I was from and what my major was. These people have become some great friends, and I've only been here a few weeks. Also, the professors are friendly and willing to help in any way they can. They learn your name, and you are treated like an individual instead of just another student in the class. I love ONU, and this has definitely been a fantastic choice for me!

Future plans after graduation: I hope to be a high school band director and continue to play oboe on the side.

Justin Bays

Name: Justin Bays

Year: Senior

Hometown: Richwood, OH

Major: Music Performance, voice

Involvement at Ohio Northern: I am involved in opera and musicals as well as University Singers and Men's Chorus. I am also a brother of Phi Mu Alpha, a music fraternity.

Why did you choose ONU: I chose ONU because of how close it is to my hometown. Another reason I chose ONU is because of the faculty- they are prestigious.

Why do you like ONU: The ONU music department has given me the skills I desire in order to go out into the world and be a confident performer. I also love how close I am to everyone that enters our department. I wouldn't trade that for the world.

Future plans after graduation: After graduating, I plan on auditioning to obtain an internship or even to be cast in a show. After I build up my resume I will then audition for graduate schools.

Samantha Riedlinger

Name: Samantha Riedlinger

Year: Junior

Hometown: Sycamore, OH

Major: Music Education, flute

Involvement at ONU: I am involved in Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association, Tau Beta Sigma, Ohio Northern Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Wind Orchestra, Flute Choir, and Northern Band Secretary.

Why did you choose ONU: I chose ONU because I've been visiting campus since I was a child and fell in love with the college back then. Also, the music department was really warm and inviting, and they made me feel like they wanted me to be here.

Why do you like ONU: The people are great, the classes are a good size, and the professors are really amazing to learn from. There are so many opportunities to improve and grow which is fantastic.

Future plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to get a job as a band director and work as I take classes to get my Masters. Eventually, I would like to get my Ph. D. and teach marching band, as well as other classes, at the college level.

Maggie Sant

Name: Maggie Sant

Year: Junior

Hometown: West Chester, OH

Major:: Pharmacy and Bachelor of Arts in Music, french horn

Involvement at Ohio Northern: I am involved in Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band, Brass Ensemble, and Quintessence Brass Quintet. I am a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Delta Zeta, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Kappa Epsilon.

Why do you like ONU: I like all of the opportunities that ONU has to offer me. I like being able to study in both of the areas that interest me as well as being involved in many organizations.

Future plans after graduation: I would eventually like to work as a pharmacist in a hospital setting and possibly play horn in community orchestras or teach a horn studio.

Trevor Dorner

Name: Trevor Dorner

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Perrysburg, OH

Major: Musical Theatre and Bachelor of Arts in Music (Theory/Composition)

Involvement at ONU: I am involved in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and plan to be in other musical productions. I am also in Men's Chorus and University Singers.

Why did you choose ONU: I chose ONU primarily because of the opportunity to double major in Musical Theatre and Music Composition, two fields of study I enjoy equally. I also chose ONU because of the faculty and the individual attention I will receive at a smaller school setting.

Why do you like ONU: I like ONU because I can do everything that I want to do while still maintaining a balanced college curriculum. For example, I can be in University Singers, Men's Chorus, do the theatre productions, and still have time to get the quality education ONU offers. The faculty remains to be my favorite part of ONU, they are highly experienced and knowledgeable in their respective fields and give students the individual attention that is necessary for a college student to be successful.

Future plans after graduation: I want to become a professional performer and then become a director at the college level.