Brianna Borger

Brianna Borger

Class Year

’22

Current home

Evanston, Illinois

Major(s)

M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy

Current Position

Assistant Professor of Instruction & Academic Advisor at Northwestern University

Brianna Borger ’22, a graduate of Carthage’s Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy program, advises and mentors Northwestern’s first-year theatre majors, helping guide them as they balance rigorous academics with extracurricular activities, performances, and college life in general — and she will remain their advisor throughout their tenure at NU. She is also an instructor in the theatre department, teaching courses in musical theatre performance and career preparation for graduating seniors.

“I utilize the vocal pedagogy knowledge I learned at Carthage with my private voice students daily! While that learning didn’t directly prepare me for my role at Northwestern, the experience I gained watching my Carthage professors at work definitely did. Their mentorship has been hugely helpful in my success at NU.”

Brianna Borger, ’22

What have you enjoyed most about your career?

“I have always loved working with undergraduates, and getting to follow this cohort of students through their time at NU is very exciting. It allows me to really get to know each student individually and respond to their needs and aspirations in an effective manner. I also cherish the opportunity I have to teach the next generation of artists how to advocate for themselves, embrace their individuality, and create their own version of success for themselves after graduation.”

How did Carthage prepare you?

“I utilize the vocal pedagogy knowledge I learned at Carthage with my private voice students daily! While that learning didn’t directly prepare me for my role at Northwestern, the experience I gained watching my Carthage professors at work definitely did. Their mentorship has been hugely helpful in my success at NU.”

Why did you choose Carthage?

“Not only was the program’s specificity important to me, but the proximity to Chicago and shortened time commitment made it the perfect program for me as a working teacher, parent, and mid-life graduate student.”

What opportunities were made possible because of your Carthage experience?

“I was finally able to get a university faculty job! Despite my years of experience, they want to see those graduate school credentials. I am also now freelancing as a vocal director, which is something I would have never considered before completing Carthage’s program.”

What Carthage professors played a part in your success and how?

Corinne Ness has been a huge champion of mine and an incredible mentor to me in my career trajectory. She understood my goals regarding graduate school and pushed me in the direction I needed to go. Matthew Hougland is a prime example of the kind of instructor I aim to be, and I very much appreciated his candor in the classroom in regards to both teaching and life as an artist.”

What role have the values in Carthage's mission, "Seeking Truth, Building Strength, Inspiring Service — Together" played in your life?

“I think these values are paramount to success as an artist, and they are all concepts that I try to instill in my own students. Seeking truth in performance, building strength to trust yourself and to support others, and serving the greater good by uplifting marginalized voices and telling inclusive stories onstage — these are all concepts I believe in wholeheartedly.”

What's your favorite Carthage memory?

“The time spent with my cohort in long evenings of discussion classes is something I will never forget! I feel very lucky to have been surrounded by such smart, inquisitive, and fun folks during my time at Carthage.”


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