Meet Mikkal Holt ’18

Promoting Classical Concerts in Berlin

Study away program combines senior’s German and music majors

An internship at a Berlin concert promoter combined with a course in German culture is the perfect undergraduate career coda for Mikkal Holt ’18.

Holt, a major in music education and German from Elmhurst, graduated in May, but is adding credits and a study away experience for his German major.

His IES Abroad program includes an eight-week unpaid placement at a company that stages classical orchestral and choir concerts. The accompanying six-credit seminar on cultural issues in the workplace is taught in German. “This combines my majors and will look good on my resume,” Holt said.

Holt grew up in a musical household. “My mom says I was singing before I could talk,” Holt said.

I’m a person that likes to go against the flow—most students were taking French or Spanish.

Mikkal on choosing to learn German in high school

When he enrolled at Elmhurst, Holt initially planned to major in photography. But two weeks before classes were to start he realized that music was his passion. Although auditions had been closed, the Music Department agreed to hear him sing and he was accepted as a music education major. Holt went on to perform in the College’s Philharmonic Orchestra (he also plays the violin), Chamber Singers and Jazz Ensembles.

His goal is to teach music at a high school. But first he aims to earn another degree—in conducting—while he works in a job where he can use his German. In the meantime, he’s looking to put his language skills to work in Berlin and when he travels throughout Germany and Europe.

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