Representing all majors within the Department of Music, Student Ambassadors assist with recruitment events and serve as a liaison between the department and prospective students and their families.
Meet our Ambassadors!
Nick is currently a senior at EIU studying Music with a Business Administration minor. He serves as the Drum Major for the Panther Marching Band and as the President of the Delta Chi Fraternity. He is also a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi. He plans to pursue a career in Copyright Law after his time at Eastern is finished.
Logan is a 20 year old Music Education major with an emphasis on voice. This is his second year at EIU, and loves every busy minute of it. He is a member of the EIU Concert Choir and Camerata, and is playing the lead role in this semester's musical, Dog Fight. In his down time he loves to write poetry and songs, and work on becoming a better DJ.
My name is Sheridan Kelly, and I’m a vocal music education major here at EIU! When I’m not singing, I’m practicing piano, reading, crafting, or watching Netflix. I also eat an absurd amount of cookie dough. I am a part of the National Association for Music Education EIU chapter and I hope to someday teach high school choir.
Willie is currently in his junior year at EIU pursuing a double major in Music Education and Saxophone Performance with an emphasis on Jazz Studies. Though born in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was raised in Belleville, IL where he attended Belleville West High School. This is where he truly found his love for music. While in high school, he attended many music festivals including the ILMEA District VI Jazz Festival three times, the ILMEA District VI Band Festival once, and the ILMEA All-State Festival. He held first chair positions in all of these festivals as well as many other festivals including the Murray State Quad State Honor Band Festival in which he sat the first alto saxophone chair. Willie also attended the summer music camp at EIU for 4 years and is currently a counselor there. Nearing the end of his high school career, Willie made the decision to make EIU his home away from home. He continues his studies with the wonderful faculty while performing in the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Saxophone Quartet, and more. Willie also performs semi-regularly in St. Louis, MO and teaches lessons. Willie is excited to answer any of the questions you may have about the EIU Music Department and the school as a whole.
Erin Bozek is a junior music education major from the south suburbs of Chicago. Here at EIU, Erin is a member of the clarinet studio, Wind Symphony, and she is one of the current drum majors of the Panther Marching Band. Outside of class, she serves as a member of the honorary band service sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. She also just recently began her newest adventure as a member of the crew at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. In the very little free time she has, Erin loves spending time watching her latest Netflix obsessions (30 Rock and Call the Midwife), listening to her Broadway Pandora playlist, and taking every chance she gets to play in a musical pit for high schools in Central Illinois.
John is a Teacher Licensure Major with a focus in Instrumental Music. He is an active trombonist at EIU, being a member of the Eastern Illinois University Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, EIU Crossbones Trombone Choir, and The Eastern Symphony Orchestra. John is also Member of the Doudna Fine Arts Center Crew, providing reason for him to never leave the building.
Kate is a junior Music Education major from Frankfort, Illinois. She attended Peotone High School where she was involved in concert band, jazz band, pit orchestra and choir. Kate also participated in many community bands within the Chicagoland area including the Frankfort Brass Band, Joliet American Legion Band, and the Outcast Jazz Band. Kate attended Eastern Music Camp for five years as a camper and has spent the past two summers working as an intern and a counselor for the camp. While attending EIU, Kate participates in the Concert Band, Jazz Lab Band, and the EIU Crossbones. Kate is very excited to work with students to help them discover an appreciation for music. Kate would love to answer any questions you may have about the school of music here at Eastern or questions that just pertain to the school in general.
As a music composition major at EIU, I love experimenting with a vast array of sounds. Whether it's a bicycle wheel, blender, or the hum of the air conditioners at 4am, I find a unique sense of enjoyment in the sounds that remain overlooked though we hear them every day. When I'm not composing, it's a safe bet that you'll find me at home with a large pineapple pizza watching Trailer Park Boys.
Rodney is a percussion performance major at EIU. Other than playing and practicing music all day, Rodney's favorite pastime is watching movies and reading books. Currently, Rodney's favorite book series is A Song of Ice and Fire, A.K.A a Game of Thrones, however he is "patiently" waiting for the last two books to finally be published so he can finish the series. Of course, one of his all time favorite book series would have to be Harry Potter. What Rodney enjoys most about EIU's music department is the family-like atmosphere among the students and the faculty as well as the gorgeous facilities it has to offer.
Hi! My name is Sarah Chornomaz,and I’m from Worth, Il which is a south suburb of Chicago. I always sort of say that EIU “chose me” because I had no intentions of applying here until the assistant director of bands at the time contacted me and told me to come meet him and the EIU music staff at the Midwest Music Festival in Chicago my senior year, and by the fall I was a Panther. This year I am a senior music education major and I hope to someday teach high school band. My instrument is the trumpet, and I participate in the trumpet ensemble as well as the Wind Symphony. When I'm not making music you can find me playing with my dog and cats!
Abigail Emmert is currently a Freshman at EIU studying music education. She is an active member of EIU’s NAfME chapter and recently attended the 2017 Illinois Music Education Conference with the chapter. She is also a member of Education Scholars and is a university honors student. In the fall, she played piccolo in the Panther Marching Band and she looks forward to serving as the flute section leader next fall. In addition, Abigail serves as principal chair flute of Concert Band and is a member of pep band. She also enjoys learning other instruments, including the trumpet, which she is playing in Symphonic Band.
Doudna Fine Arts Center
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-3010
music@eiu.edu
