Tara Dahl, spring commencement student speaker
From her first violin lesson at age five to the conductor’s podium, Tara Dahl’s journey is rooted in passion, perseverance, and community. A Hazelton, N.D., native and VCSU music education graduate, Tara found her calling by pairing a love of performance with a deep commitment to helping students grow. Her story is one of mentorship, meaningful music-making, and discovering confidence through challenge.
Why did you choose to major in music education?
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I spent a lot of time trying to decide what to teach. I had considered English or history, but when it came time to actually pick a degree I realized I couldn’t imagine myself teaching anything but music. I have always had a deep love of playing, singing, and performing, and I knew the best way I could leave a positive impact on my future students was by sharing the thing I’m most passionate about.
What first sparked your interest in music or teaching?
I fell in love with teaching through mentorship programs in high school. I got to be a part of various student leadership and tutoring organizations, and I realized that I enjoyed watching others grow and find successes in school. Music, however, has been a central part of my life from the age of 5. My mom enrolled me in violin lessons in preschool, and I guess you could say that the rest is history! I fell in love with the instrument and performing, and that passion only grew as I got older and joined band and choir.
What has been your favorite music education or music course at VCSU?
I loved all of my ensemble courses at VCSU; from band to choir, and everything in between. There was always something truly special about being part of a group filled with individuals that loved making music just as much as I do. Over the course of four years, I formed some of my strongest friendships just by being in rehearsals with people. Those hours spent laughing, playing, singing, and growing create a pretty unique bond. We all got a chance to build something beautiful, and not one of us could have done it alone. So we grew and learned together, and along the way made some really incredible memories.
How has the music education program prepared you for the classroom?
I had a lot of opportunities to explore every area of music education before I ever started my first job. I’ve had so many conducting opportunities through my courses, my time spent as a drum major, and as a section leader in band and choir. Those unique opportunities allowed me to put my training into action well before I ever started my job in December, and in an environment where I could ask for guidance and feedback from my professors. Those chances, and the support and feedback they came with, have allowed me to be more confident on the podium in my own classroom.
What was the most impactful moment from your field experience or student teaching?
I had the opportunity to fully rehearse, teach, and conduct a piece with the freshman band during my time at Fargo North High. The students there were amazing, and were so understanding of the fact that while they were learning to play, I was learning to teach. At their concert in November, I was able to share the stage with them and it was an amazing experience. In a short amount of time, they worked with me to create some awesome music. I’m so grateful to the students and music teachers at North for that opportunity, and for the patience and grace they showed me while I made mistakes and grew along with them.
Now that you are teaching, how do you hope to inspire students through music?
I hope to inspire my students through music by showing them that they are capable of doing challenging things. Music requires focus, discipline, and practice. Putting together a successful concert and learning along the way can feel intimidating, but the end result is always worth it. I want my students to know that they can achieve so much more than they realize, whether it’s in music or other areas of their life. When they come into my classroom, they know that they are in a space where it is safe to try, make mistakes, and learn.
Do you have a favorite performance or concert memory from your time at VCSU?
My favorite concert would have to be the Fall of 2023. We performed a piece entitled “Caccia and Chorale” by Clifton Williams, and it was the most challenging song I had played at that point in my career. In addition to being technically challenging, it also carried a really emotional backstory about the composer. As a band, we spent a lot of time making sure we were doing the music justice in every sense of the phrase. Playing the notes wasn’t good enough for us. We wanted to make the audience feel something powerful, and I truly believe we succeeded at that concert. We all knew we had something special prepared when we walked on stage, and that performance clicked in a way that ensembles rarely experience. Everything went exactly as we hoped it would, and I realized right then and there that I was a part of a group of truly incredible musicians. That sense of community we all found when we worked on that piece was special, and it is a piece and performance that will always hold a special place in my heart.
How did being involved in music on campus shape your college experience?
Music impacted my life on campus by giving me a community that I could belong in. I moved to Valley City from a very small town, and I remember being both nervous and excited. From day one, the people I met in those ensemble rehearsals welcomed me with open arms. I was invited on coffee trips, asked over for breakfast study sessions during midterms, and then got to carry on those traditions as I moved through my college career. In the process, I made some of my closest friends, and I’m still so grateful for the wonderful adventures we had along the way.
What role did peers and faculty play in your success?
Peers and faculty played a huge role in my success. If there was ever a moment where I “fell on my face”, there was a network of good, hardworking, and caring people there to pick me up. I was lucky enough to have friends that were ahead of me in the program that understood what it felt like to sit in a practice room for three hours and still feel like you didn’t make any progress. In those moments, there was always someone willing to sit in the hallway outside so I didn’t feel like I had to practice alone. As for my faculty, they always knew how to encourage me to find out what I was truly capable of. Every time I thought I couldn’t learn more, they pushed me to the next level. As a result, I’m a more well rounded musician and teacher. That community of both friends and teachers helped me to discover what I was truly capable of, and I wouldn’t be where I am without their support and guidance.
What was the most rewarding part of your college journey?
I think the most rewarding part of my college journey was being a part of the growth and change in the department. I got to witness some huge moments for VCSU music during my time. We went from opening a brand new building during my freshman year, to a department wide tour and Mt. Rushmore performance my senior year. Those kinds of opportunities don’t happen in the blink of an eye. They require dedication and enormous amounts of preparation. I got to be a part of the groups that played at those concerts, but that also meant I got to be a part of the hard work and practice that the public doesn’t always see. In the end, I got to be included in something so much bigger than myself, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences we all got to share.
What challenges did you overcome along the way?
There were so many times throughout my four years on campus that I was worried that I wasn’t cut out for a music education degree. I can vividly remember sitting in a practice room trying to record a clarinet exam. I struggled to squeak out notes while silent, and admittedly dramatic, tears streamed down my face. After three hours of trying to perfect that test, I finally submitted a video with cracked notes and stifled tears for a final grade. That is just one of many moments where I felt like I didn’t have the skill required to be an effective music teacher, and I didn’t give myself credit for how much I had actually grown. Looking back at that story, I can’t help but laugh. Now, I recognize that I was so much more capable than I gave myself credit for. I think that sense of self doubt was one of my biggest challenges, and definitely one of the hardest to overcome.
How has VCSU helped shape you as both a musician and a teacher?
VCSU helped shape me as a teacher and a musician by giving me the opportunity to put my degree into action before I got a job. Practicum hours, outreach to area schools through NAfME, running sectionals; all of those experiences, and more, gave me a chance to actively teach while also receiving feedback and support. Beyond that, I learned the value of a music classroom that is filled with compassion and support, because those are the kinds of classrooms I got to be a student in. I always knew, without a doubt, that my professors and friends would help me learn from my mistakes and celebrate my successes.
What advice would you give students considering music education?
This degree is full of all kinds of highs and lows. You will have some really incredible moments, followed by difficult setbacks and challenges. When things don’t go like you planned, pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and remember that you know more than you did yesterday. If you can do that, you’ll be successful not only in the major, but also in whatever classroom you get to make your own in the future.
