Northern State University student Julia Orr has spent the semester student teaching at the Langford Area School District, gaining hands-on experience in music education and connecting with students of all ages.
Orr grew up in Aberdeen, where she graduated from Central High School in 2021. She will graduate from Northern this December with a degree in K-12 Music Education.
“Music has always been a part of my life from a very young age,” Orr said. “I enjoy singing and playing piano the most, but I also played cello and took dance classes like ballet, tap, jazz, and modern when I was younger.”
Her path to music ed wasn’t always certain. “For a time I thought I might go into ecology,” she said. “But during my junior year of high school, I realized how much I enjoyed making music with my peers and decided to pursue it further.”
Orr met Langford music teacher Kelly Wieser through her college roommate. “Kelly and I have known each other for quite a few years, and I really respect her dedication to Langford’s music program,” she said. “I decided to study under her for my student teaching experience.”
At Langford, Orr has taught general music for grades K-5, as well as middle and high school choir and some 6-12 band. “The best part of teaching has been the students,” she said. “They’re so respectful and kind, and they make me laugh all the time.”
Orr said her time at Langford has helped her gain confidence as a future educator. “I’ve learned that I’m capable of more than I think,” she said. “Giving myself grace to learn and grow alongside the students will take me far in my teaching career.”
After graduating, Orr plans to stay and teach in South Dakota, with the goal of eventually earning certification to teach in Minnesota. Outside of music, she enjoys art, pickleball, birdwatching, traveling, and spending time outdoors, and she even shares her journey with her pet gecko, Olive, who has “graduated high school and is now on track to graduate college” alongside her.
