Student Spotlight: Carmen Houde
By Tony Scott

Carmen Houde wants to become a music educator who inspires her students..(Photo by Carmen Houde)

Carmen Houde has known since middle school that she wanted to pursue a career in music education.

Now, working toward a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in music education, the Bradley, Illinois, native plans to graduate in May 2027. She hopes to teach band or general music and says she would be “content anywhere I am able to make music with my students.”

“It was during middle school that I fell in love with music and discovered how beneficial it can be in one’s life,” Houde said. “I decided I wanted to help others find that passion for music as well. My ultimate goal is to create an environment for future generations of students to find kindness, confidence and perseverance through engaging with music.”

Although Houde didn’t grow up in a musical household — her mother is a hospice nurse, and her father works for a mineral company — music still became a family calling. Both she and her younger brother, who will attend Southern Illinois University this fall, chose to pursue music education.

Houde’s decision to attend NIU was shaped by the warmth and support she felt from the School of Music during the admissions process.

“I knew that NIU had a good music education program, and I figured that if the staff were this supportive before I had even committed, it must mean I would have a strong support system around me to help me thrive,” she said.

That support has extended to financial assistance as well. Houde has earned several scholarships, including the Leigh A. Williams Memorial Endowed Music Scholarship and the William Kalber Marching Band Student Scholarship. She is deeply grateful to those who invest in student success and she encourages Huskies to give when they can.

“Scholarships are a crucial aspect of providing all people with access to higher education,” she said. “By investing your financial support in student scholarships, you are giving students from various backgrounds and walks of life an opportunity to pursue their educational and career goals.”

She added, “Your financial support allows students to fully dedicate themselves to their education without having to focus on how to pay for it. Without scholarship support, I would not have been able to achieve my goals in becoming an educator and touching the lives of our future generations. Your support can help students like me reach their goals, too.”

On campus, Houde stays deeply involved in music making. A French horn and mellophone player, she performs in several ensembles that challenge and inspire her.

“I have earned the first chair horn positions in both the Philharmonic Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, which are the most prestigious classical ensembles the School of Music has to offer,” she said. “I’m also part of the Horn Studio, where I get to play in smaller chamber groups such as a horn choir and a horn quartet this semester.”

She is also a proud member of the Huskie Marching Band.

“I’m entering my third year serving as a mellophone ‘UG,’ the term we use for ‘section leader’ here in the HMB, which has been the highlight of my time at NIU,” she said. “Part of the joy that comes with being involved in the Huskie Marching Band is the community fostered through working toward a shared goal and passion, and as an UG I have gotten to create and be a part of an amazing crew.”

Beyond performing, Houde is committed to helping future educators grow. She serves as president of the NIU chapter of the Illinois Collegiate Music Education Association.

“I joined the executive board so I could guarantee my peers had more opportunities to grow as future music educators,” she said. “We host bi-weekly meetings that range from educational events covering music ed topics to study nights and teacher appreciation events that build community within our school.

"We were also lucky to travel to the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria this past January, which gave us a significant professional development opportunity while representing NIU’s music program at the state level.”

Houde credits her success to the faculty who have guided her with respect, encouragement and high expectations. She says her horn instructors, Emma Sepmeier and Renee Vogen, along with NIU Director of Huskie Bands Dr. Thomas Bough, have been especially influential.

“They have always been extremely supportive and led me to pursue leadership opportunities at NIU that have been tremendously beneficial to my growth as a scholar, musician and future educator,” she said. “They have always believed in me, and I would not be where I am today without them.”

To help Huskies like Carmen achieve their goals, please visit the NIU Forward website.