Katie Gerrich | Music Education | Class of 2001
What motivated you to enroll at NAU?
I attended Curry Summer Music Camp the summer after my junior year of high school. Spending time in the dorms, hanging out on campus, and interacting with the amazing music faculty solidified my decision that NAU was the place for me!
Why and how did you select your final major and minor at NAU?
I have known since I was in 8th grade that I wanted to be a choir teacher. My high school choir directors were an amazing support system for me. They encouraged me to attend Curry Summer Music Camp and to also audition as a music major at NAU. I knew that I wanted to sing under the direction of Dr. Edith Copley, who was the choral director at the time.
In what ways did your NAU coursework prepare you for your career?
My NAU coursework truly prepared me for my career teaching high school choir. The variety of choirs I participated in at NAU was outstanding – and the directors were the best in the nation! The music that we sang, the places we performed, the training I received in music theory, diction, music history and education—all of this prepared me to pursue my passion.
My experience as the President of the Shrine of the Ages Choir also prepared me for my current role as the President of the Arizona Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
My work as the assistant coordinator of the annual Holiday Dinner gave me all the organizational skills I would need to run a large high school choral music program. In addition, my work with the NAU Jazz/Madrigal Festival was another amazing part of my education that prepared me in ways I never anticipated.
What campus activities did you participate in while you were a student?
I was a member of the Shrine of the Ages Choir for 3 years. My senior year, I was the President of Shrine of the Ages and the assistant coordinator of the annual Holiday Dinner. I was in the Vocal Jazz Choir, and I was the piano accompanist for the Men’s Choir. I also participated in several musicals and operas. In addition, I worked as a singing waitress at Black Bart’s Steakhouse for 3 years!
What part of your NAU experience do you value most highly today?
I highly value the connections I made with students and staff. Dr. Edith Copley truly changed my life with her amazing direction and mentorship. Dr. MaryAnne Bruner was one of the most compassionate teachers I could have hoped to have. I am still in touch with both of them now, over 20 years after I graduated from NAU.