Linda J. Conrad

Linda grew up in DeKalb, Illinois when the Wurlitzer Piano Factory had a large presence in the community. Schools, churches and multiple homes all proudly utilized those musical keyboards. “Gee Dad, it’s a Wurlitzer” was displayed on the Pleasant Street factory building and all the delivery trucks. Linda’s grandfather, who was employed by Wurlitzer, proudly did the wood hand carving on all piano prototypes for 50 years.

NIU played a role in Linda’s early music experiences as she enjoyed many homecoming parades (viewed in front of Malone’s Department Store on Lincoln Highway) and, perhaps the highlight, listening to the rousing Marching Huskies. Attending Drum and Bugle Corp competitions at the Huskie football field was also a part of her music experience and included on every summer calendar.

Once enrolled at NIU, Linda had the wonderful experiences of learning classroom music techniques from the cultured and inspiring Lucille Fink, organ lessons from Earl Loessel and band instruction by Gordon Bird. Those fabulous experiences certainly made NIU an awesome environment to perpetuate her love of music in the future.

Linda earned her B.S. in education in 1973 and M.S. in instructional technology in 1990 at NIU. She enjoyed 35 years in the elementary classroom and 40 years on the organ bench.