WKU News

As Maddie Miller looks back at her WKU experience, the graduating senior from Louisville says the classes, connections and community in the Department of Music have prepared her for the next step. 

“I chose WKU because out of all the schools I auditioned at and toured this was the only one where I immediately felt like the faculty were invested in my future both as a student and as a person,” said Miller, who will receive a bachelor’s degree this month in Vocal Music Education. “The music faculty and students welcomed me with open arms before I had even committed to coming to WKU, which says a lot about the culture of the department. Not only that, but our campus is beautiful and super walkable, which was a big selling point for me.”

After spending much of the past four years performing with choral ensembles, serving as choral librarian and working at Spencer’s Coffee, Miller completed her final semester as a student teacher, first at Rich Pond Elementary School then at Barren County High School and Barren County Middle School.

Miller is looking forward to sharing her love of music as an educator. 

“I have been involved in music since I started middle school, and it’s brought me joy and connection everywhere I go. It’s a universal language that every culture speaks,” Miller said. “When it was time to choose a college and course of study, there was no question in my mind that I wanted to spend the rest of my life giving students the same gift that had been given to me by patient, kind educators.

 “I’d really love to teach middle school choir, but I think I could be happy teaching at any grade level,” she said. “I’m still figuring out exactly where in the world I want to settle down, but I know I’ll be teaching wherever I end up.”

Miller served as the Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager for last year’s Mainstage Opera production, The Menagerie, and served as choral librarian from spring 2022 until this semester. 

As choral librarian, Miller helped arrange all aspects of the choral program from uniforms to concerts and retreats. “Maddie has been an integral part of our department during her time as a student,” said Dr. Lauren Whitham, Associate Director of Choral Activities.

Dr. Whitham said Miller is detail-oriented, leads by example, involves and welcomes new members and meets prospective students on campus visits. “She has a magnetic personality and a way of making everyone feel welcome,” Dr. Whitham said. “Her work in our department will directly translate to great success in the education field.”

Dr. Paul Hondorp, Director of Choral Activities, agreed. “I will especially remember Maddie and her classmates for their steadfastness and commitment to excellence, even as their time on The Hill started at the height of the pandemic in fall 2020,” he said. “Maddie and friends have been crucial to upholding the close-knit community that has been developed in the WKU Choirs, and she is now ready to go create the same sense of community and positively affect young artist musicians in the public school music classroom.”

Miller noted that Dr. Hondorp and Dr. Whitham have been instrumental in her WKU experience. “Not only have they taught me a good deal of what I know, they have been in my corner and cheered me on through every trial I’ve faced. Even now, looking forward to applying to jobs in my field, they are constantly giving me advice and guiding me into a successful career in music education,” she said.

Miller was a member of the PCAL Dean’s Council of Students and was president from Spring 2022 to Spring 2023, served as president and vice president of the American Choral Director’s Association student chapter and was a member of the National Association for Music Education.

Miller made connections to the WKU and Bowling Green communities by singing in several churches, giving voice lessons, serving as music director at St. James United Methodist Church and by working at Spencer’s Coffee locations in the Commons and downtown Bowling Green. “I really enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories, or just asking about their day. It seems small, but a smile and a kind word can mean a lot to someone who needs it.”

She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, will participate in the Lavender Recognition Ceremony on April 30 and will graduate Summa Cum Laude on May 2.

As she hits the final notes in her WKU journey, Miller said: “Hands down, the best part of my WKU experience has been the friends I’ve made here on campus. This might sound crazy, but I really loved living in the dorms. I’ve never been more socially well-rounded than when all of my friends and I lived under one roof. I’m close with even the ones who have graduated or traveled around the world, all thanks to the bonds we were able to form during our shared time here at Western.”

For more about WKU Music programs, visit www.wku.edu/music

#WKUGrad series: As part of our #WKUGrad series, articles on graduating students are shared in the weeks leading up to Commencement. See all of their stories at https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=default&categoryid=799&multinewsid=187

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.