Career Field Commercial Music
Following graduation, John moved to Springfield, IL to teach private guitar lessons. He is also a part-time faculty member in the guitar department at Millikin University. In addition to teaching, John tours with The Micah Walk Band. The group has recorded two full-length albums: Bright Side Fantasy in 2008 and Change in 2006.
Scaling the Ivory Tower
By Amanda Hamilton ’14 | Originally published in Summer 2015 Millikin Quarterly
When Catie Huggins ’04 of Chicago originally came to Millikin, her interest was in musical theatre, but it wasn’t long before she discovered opera.
In MU’s opera program, Huggins found a home for her mezzo-soprano voice. “Doing musicals in high school, I struggled with the fact that it wasn’t the style my voice could easily do.” But when she began singing opera, she realized, “That’s my voice. That’s where I belong.” She laughs that, in this setting, she finally wasn’t cautioned against singing too loud.
Career Field Music Business
Amy is currently the Manager of Licensing and Royalty Administration for Naxos of America and Ariadne Music Resources. Amy went on to Graduate School at the University of Miami in Miami, FL. While there, Amy interned with BMG Music Publishing, US Latin division for a year.
After completing her Master's in 2004, Amy moved to Nashville, TN. She was hired at Naxos of America as their Music Licensing Administrator. During her first year with Naxos, she developed an administration company that is now its own division within the company, with Amy at the helm.
Stage director Andrew Ryker is the Artistic Director of Boston Opera Collaborative and teaching fellow at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. He has served on the directing staff at Opera North and New Jersey Opera Theater and has directed productions for New England Conservatory, Boston Opera Collaborative, and the Intermezzo Chamber Opera Series.
Career Field Music Performance- Instrumental
Ken Potts currently serves on the faculty of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL and Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL where he teaches courses in the Humanities and Music departments. Ken is currently engaged in projects to develop materials for online and alternative delivery of music and humanities courses.
Ken’s education also includes a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Concordia University Chicago and post-graduate work at the Pierre Monteux School for Orchestra Conductors in Hancock, ME. Ken's current research interests include instructional technology and humanities pedagogy.
Career Field Music Business
Joel became an in demand freelance drummer in Chicago's jazz and rock scenes shortly following graduation. He was soon recognized as a highly sought-after percussion instructor, and became a faculty member of the Old Town School of Folk Music, one of Chicago's most respected and diverse music schools.
However, Joel's life drastically changed when he was diagnosed with tinnitus and hyperacusis, conditions which prevented him from performing in high-volume situations. Determined to keep music as the central focus of his life, Joel began composing for the guitar, both as a singer-songwriter and for film and television.
Career Field Commercial Music
In 2003, Karrie moved to Nashville where she began an internship at WAYfm radio station where she worked on production for the morning show. Her relationships at WAYfm helped her receive the job of radio promotions at Provident Music Group, a division of SonyBMG.
With-in three years she became Associate Director of promotions before taking a position with Word Entertainment. She is currently the Creative Director of Publishing at Word Music Publishing, a division of Warner Music Group. Writers include Millikin alum Matthew West (B.M. Commercial Music 1999), Bernie Herms, Michael Weaver, and Michael W. Smith along with many others
Career Field Music Education- Instrumental
Shortly after graduation, Linda went to graduate school at Illinois State University to study college student personnel administration. After graduating with her masters in 2004, Linda worked for four years at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois.
Career Field Commercial Music; B.S. Accounting
Following graduation, Darice worked as a cost accountant for Caterpillar, Inc. in Decatur, IL before moving to Santa Monica, CA where she became senior accountant for a nonprofit affordable housing firm called the Community Corporation of Santa Monica.
Breaking Through
By Jenell Anderson Hironimus | Published in the winter 2011-12 issue of Millikin Quarterly magazine.
Jarrett Johnson ’01 planned on becoming a civil or electrical engineer. But that all changed when a friend’s mother suggested Millikin.
