Emily Cole, from Council Bluffs, Iowa, began her path to Morningside with a spark of inspiration from her high school choir student teacher, Adam Orban, himself a Morningside graduate. When it came time to choose a college, Emily explored several liberal arts schools in Iowa but ultimately chose Morningside for two key reasons: the financial aid package and a strong connection with her clarinet professor. 

As a music education major, Emily immersed herself in the music and education programs at Morningside. She was involved in the instrumental music department, participating in both the band and the youth symphony. Additionally, she joined Mu Phi Epsilon, the female music sorority on campus at the time. 

Through guidance from her professors, Emily gained valuable practicum and volunteer experiences in local schools and the community. These opportunities helped Emily discover her passion for elementary general music, a path she hadn’t initially considered. “I thought I was going to be a band teacher forever, but through the practicum process, I realized how much I connected with elementary general music,” she reflects. 

Since graduating, Emily has been teaching elementary general music in the Sioux City Community School District. Her connection to Morningside remains strong, thanks in part to her involvement with the Siouxland All-America Band, which she joined during her first year of teaching. “It’s been a way to maintain relationships with my professors and continue growing as a musician and teacher,” she says. 

Emily often reflects on the lessons she learned at Morningside, particularly the value of varied experiences and the importance of seeing students as individuals. “Morningside valued you as a person, not just a number,” she says. “I try to carry that into my teaching by valuing my students as unique individuals with their own needs and experiences. We can all learn from one another, and Morningside taught me how to use those experiences to grow.” 

To current music education students, Emily offers this advice: “Put yourself out there. Use practicum experiences and community organizations as opportunities to learn. Take every chance you have to grow as a person and an educator.” She emphasizes the importance of embracing every experience, even those that might seem outside your comfort zone. “I never thought I’d end up in elementary music, but those experiences shaped where I am today,” she says. 

For Emily, one of the most valuable aspects of her Morningside experience was the relationships she built. “Morningside helps you create and foster relationships with professors, fellow students, and people outside your major,” she says. These connections have continued to enrich her life long after graduation. “I’m amazed at how many people I run into and realize I knew them from Morningside 15 years ago. Those relationships last.” Personal connections, diverse experiences, and a supportive community shaped Emily’s experience at Morningside.