Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Kristine Mutchler
NIYou

Areas of Study: Music Education and Horn Performance

Graduation Date: December 2008

Hometown: Morris

High School: Morris Community High School

Current Employment: NIU Large Ensemble Office

Campus Involvement:

  • Music Educators National Conference
  • Philanthropies Director, Sigma Alpha Iota (International Women’s Music Fraternity), 2006

Highlights, achievements and awards:

  • Full Tuition Waiver
  • Planned and Organized a Hurricane Benefit Concert

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Kristine Mutchler


I chose my major because … I have always enjoyed music and wanted to study it further. I also wanted to use my hard-earned talents to help and teach others. 

My favorite professor at NIU is … Dr. Edward Klonoski. With his unique perspective and teaching style, I have gained the ability to independently analyze and interpret works. He is a teacher who has high expectations and helps you reach them through one-on-one work and classroom discussions. 

My favorite thing to do on campus is …taking walks down by the east lagoon in the warm months. 

Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … meeting new people and being involved in Sigma Alpha Iota.

When I have free time, I like to … relax and watch a movie, but this rarely happens because my days are very busy.

One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here … is the amount of storage space in the dorm rooms. I ended up bringing back half of the items I packed. 

One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … I am able to work on many projects at once. With SAI, practicing, homework and taking care of myself, I have pushed the envelope for what I can handle, and it has all paid off. 

If I was guaranteed success, I would … live a life of leisure. I would travel around to different parts of the world as well as relax at home and play my horn all day.

After graduation, I plan to … apply to graduate schools and teach music in the public school system. 

The one NIU experience I will always remember will be … meeting different people through studying to become a music educator.