Jaime

Activities

• National Association for Music Education (MENC) – organization focused on the advancement of music education as a profession and the assurance of music education as part of the core curriculum
• Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity
• Marching Illini – performance band that plays at the home football games
• Basketball Band – pep band that plays at home basketball games
• Orange and Blues Band – pep band that plays at home volleyball games and special functions
• National Band Association (NBA) – a professional organization for band directors that promotes the musical and educational purpose of bands
• I-Start Student Leader – undergraduate students who welcome and assist new students during summer registration
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Patron Services Supervisor

One-on-One

Where is your favorite spot on campus to study?
The rug in my dorm room

Where is your favorite spot on campus to hang out with your friends?
Late Night

Where is your favorite spot on campus to relax?
Campus Recretaion Center-East CRCE

What do you like most about your major?
The best thing about my major is the people. Everyone is drawn together by their passions for music, even though they may differ in opinions on music.  The people, whether it be the professors, TAs, or my fellow classmates, create a supportive environment where we can all grow together.

What are your favorite courses within your major?
One of my favorite courses within my major is MUS 240: Introduction to Music Education. This course allows music education students to observe music educators at various schools. While most students have been in music ensembles and have seen their teachers at work, Dean Harwood (the professor and Dean of FAA) teaches students how to see things that they have never noticed before. She also exposes us to many different classroom music settings that are different from what some of us have experienced. This class was an eye-opening experience.

What are your favorite extracurricular activities related to your major?
My favorite extracurricular activity related to my major is MENC. We do several volunteer events throughout the year that help us gain valuable field experience, such as volunteering at the marching band festival or working with students from local schools on their contest solos. One of my favorite activities is the annual Minor Instrument Recital. As future music educators we have to study many instruments. This recital is an opportunity to get together with friends and perform with instruments that we have been studying. It is always a good time.

What are your favorite extracurricular activities not related to your major?
My favorite extracurricular activity not related to my major is being a member of the Greek system through Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. It gives me the opportunity to meet a variety of people and to participate in a lot of fun activities, including philanthropic activities.

Describe your most memorable experience at Illinois.
My most memorable experience at Illinois is my very first football game. I remember lining up with the marching band. I was extremely nervous.  When we worked our way out on the field, I remember hearing the crowd cheering and clapping as I struggled to focus on where I needed to march and what I needed to do. When we finished I felt incredibly proud. As we marched off the field, students from the Block I section were giving the band high five's. At that moment I felt for the first time that I was a contributing member of something much larger than myself-the University of Illinois.

What is a little-known fact about Illinois?
When I was getting ready to move to campus for my freshman year, I was nervous that after I left my home in the Chicagoland area I would find nothing to do. When I got down here I soon realized that my fears could not be further from the truth. Being on such a large campus provides a surplus of activities to join. There is always something to do. It's funny because I often complain now when I go back home that there is nothing to do.

Why do you belong at Illinois?
I feel like I belong at Illinois because Illinois understands balance. Some schools excel in academics, but their students lack school spirit and pride in not only their university's academic achievements, but also its athletics.  Other schools have students who take great pride in their school's athletics, but the school falls short academically. I take great pride in our outstanding academic reputation, but I also go to the basketball games and cheer on the team with my fellow classmates. I have the best of both worlds. That same balance is what got me through high school and I'm happy to have it here. That's Illinois.