#nmutheatreanddance

[northernstories]

Meet Jill Grundstrom, an NMU Director and Instructor from Marquette, Mich. Jill graduated from NMU in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science and is expected to graduate again with her Specialist in Education in 2020. 

Why did you decide to come to NMU?  

Jill: NMU has been in my family's blood for generations. My grandmother was a Home Economics professor at NMU, my mother worked in the President's Office, and most of my family have attended NMU. Northern has great instructors, class sizes, and of course, it is very convenient with the hybrid online/in-person programming for those of us in post-bacc studies.

What are you involved in within the university as well as outside of campus?  

Jill: I am the director of the Dance program at NMU, resident choreographer for the NMU Theatre program, and am the adviser for the NMU Hip-Hop Dance Crew. This takes up the majority of my time, but I do enjoy traveling and alpine skiing.

Further comments on your NMU experience.

Jill: This is my second adventure at NMU. I completed my undergrad here, moved to NYC to attend grad school, and now have come home to teach at NMU, as well as participate in the EdS program. I can say with certainty that it has been a great choice both times.

Advice for current students?  

Jill: Take advantage of all of the opportunities you have here! Get to know your professors - they are wonderful and want to get to know you too! I still meet up with one of my undergrad professors for coffee (Dr. Nell Kupper). Also, take a dance class and come audition for a show at the Forest Roberts Theatre! ;) 

 Tell me your story in three sentences. 

Jill: I graduated from NMU with a B.S. in Secondary Education with majors in French and English (though I started in pre-medicine- it's been quite the journey!). After graduation, I announced to my parents that I was moving to New York City to attend New York University, where I received my Master of Arts Degree in Dance Education in Higher Education and the Professions.

I spent a few years traveling back and forth between New York and Los Angeles in which I was able to work and study with American Ballet Theatre (for whom I still work), New York City Ballet, Luigi Jazz Centre, and Cat Deeley of So You Think You Can Dance before returning home to lead and teach in the Dance program at NMU and work towards my Education Specialist and Doctoral degrees.

[northernstories]

Meet Kortney Manchip a sophomore, theatre performance major from Charlotte, Michigan. She is also in the new dance minor here at NMU.

“One thing I like about the theatre program here at NMU is that the class sizes and cast sizes are generally small, giving each student an opportunity to get one-on-one time with our faculty and directors. Northern’s size really gives each student an opportunity to gain roles to put on his/her resume as opposed to larger universities and conservatories which tend to be more competitive. I just think it’s really cool that NMU is a place where all of your professors and directors know you by name, want to see you succeed, and do everything they can to help you do so.”