Sophia is from Andover, MN and is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at the University of Northwestern. She is involved in piano lessons at UNW and plays clarinet in the UNW Symphonic Band. 

Sophia has been playing piano since age 7, and she started teaching piano lessons at age 16. She led a worship team at her high school, and she currently plays piano on her church worship team. She started playing clarinet at age 11 and has enjoyed participating in various honor bands throughout the years, as well as the MMEA All-State Band. In addition to piano and band, Sophia was also involved in her high school choir. 

Sophia is very grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for music with Academy of Music students. She hopes to motivate students by making lessons an enjoyable experience. Most of all, she desires for her students to love music dearly and grow in their God-given abilities.

Territory by state: South Dakota, Colorado, California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Minnesota territory by county: Anoka, Carver, Isanti, and Wright counties.

Brady graduated from Azusa Pacific University in May 2024 and briefly worked as a Project Coordinator at a small business before joining Northwestern as an Admissions Counselor. Even though he is not a Northwestern alum, he has many family connections at UNW and is thrilled to be a part of the Northwestern community!

Brady recently moved back to Minnesota after marrying his wife, Allie, and loves spending time outside on and around the many lakes by their apartment. His favorite place in the world is Target Field on a summer night, and most evenings he can be found in his kitchen trying a new recipe. He loves to travel, especially to California to visit college friends, and his favorite place he has visited is Ecuador, where he lived for four months while studying abroad.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8

Before coming to Northwestern, Susan taught for the past 37 years in the Osseo Area Schools at Palmer Lake, Edinbrook, and Fernbrook Elementary Schools before retiring last year. Now, Susan is using her talents as a sub within schools with the greatest need. She specialized in helping struggling readers close the gap. She has also designed children’s courses for remedial and enrichment in summer school programs.

Her personal teaching philosophy is that relationships and community are key starting points. While routines and structure are helpful, so is flexibility and creativity. Student choice and relevance matter for engagement. Discovery and direct teaching are both important. She also encourages teachers to enlist the help of other adults in the mighty work for teaching. She truly believes it is a privilege to have a class of student call you their teacher!

Outside of school, Susan enjoys quilting, baking, reading, traveling, music (piano and handbells), and helping others. She and her husband John have two daughters, Jenny and Jackie, and two sons-in-law, Jake and Ryan.

Minnesota territory: Central and Southern Minnesota

Nick graduated from the University of Northwestern in May 2024 and returned in the Fall to become an admissions counselor. He started as a PSEO student and after completing two years of on-campus PSEO, he knew that God was calling him to stay at Northwestern and complete his degree. During his time at Northwestern, he participated in many extracurricular activities including choir, theatre, clubs, and intramural sports and also served for two years as a Senator on Student Government. He benefited greatly from the community on campus and the opportunity to make lifelong friends and be challenged to grow through Bible studies, events, and just living life together.

When not working, Nick enjoys staying busy and taking every opportunity to do things he loves as well as try new experiences. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, singing, playing one of his guitars, composing music, doing anything outdoors, and traveling with his wife Claire. Some of his favorite places he has visited  include England, Ireland, North Carolina, Washington D.C. (where he lived and interned for a semester), and State and National Parks across the US. One of the items on his bucket list is to travel to all 50 states. He will take every opportunity to jump on a plane and go somewhere new.

Nick also loves his role as the Music Team Leader at Grace Covenant PCA where he gets the opportunity to take part in leading worship most Sunday mornings.

Nick thoroughly enjoyed his time as a student at Northwestern and is excited to help students discover where God is leading them and help them on their journey toward a transformative education!