Explore the world of music, sing and play along with our group, and/or learn about music basics to help jumpstart your musical journey
The Music Club is a new student club at Dakota County Technical College. Open to anyone interested in exploring the world of music, the Music Club provides opportunities to make music, play music, and/or teach music. Regardless of experience, you can come here to sing and play along with our group, or even learn about the music basics to help jumpstart your musical journey.
The Music Club meets in the DCTC Student Life Center every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Members practice and perform songs as a group. The club has plans to collaborate with a student club at Inver Hills Community College and hold concert performances on and off campus with the goal to form a full, operating band.
Rocky Hyberger, computer technology support faculty, and Jeff Owens, information systems management faculty, serve as the Music Club’s faculty co-advisors.
Meet the Music Club’s co-directors…
Allyka Faye Lianza
Music Club Co-Director
Age: 18
Hometown: Cebu City, Philippines (moved to Minnesota last May 2024)
Current residence: Lakeville, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Asian College Of Technology, Cebu, Philippines – 2024
DCTC major (program and degree): Information Systems Management A.A.S (switching to Accounting or Medical Assistant next school year)
DCTC scheduled graduation date: 2027–2028
DCTC extracurricular activities: Music Club co-director, student ambassador, Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA) president, Student Senate Executive Board co-vice president
Career plans: Business or medical field; looking forward to pursuing music career in the future
Allyka Faye works as a student ambassador and in the college’s DEI department 20 hours a week during the school year and 30 hours a week during breaks.
Allyka Faye Lianza • Q & A
What inspired you to form the Music Club?
We had a school band, and I was a member of the “Chorale” music club in high school. I intended to form a music club as soon as I started studying at DCTC after realizing that there wasn’t one. Since I’m new at DCTC and an introvert, it was really difficult because I needed an advisor and at least seven students to start a club, and I didn’t know anyone.
After Addison from my networking class began corresponding with me, we began recruiting members and appointed our OS1 teacher as our club advisor. The Music Club was formally launched during the final week of fall semester 2023.
Since I was three years old, music has been a part of my life, therefore I can also say that it defines my life. My entire family enjoys music, and before they went off to college, my siblings, cousins, and I played in Philippine malls as a band. As a music lover, I want to share it with the world in my own ways, including creating a club and encouraging students to try it out.
What instruments (singing included) do you play and how long have you been playing?
Since I often saw my mother playing the piano, it was my first instrument ever. When my mom began teaching me how to play it, I was four years old. Around the age of six, I also began to sing, and I recall that “May Bukas Pa,” which translates to “There’s Still a Tomorrow” in Filipino, was my favorite song.
Apart from Filipinos who are great singers (Karaoke), my mother also taught me how to sing. When I was 10 years old, my older cousin, who plays the guitar, influenced me. My mother gave me my first acoustic guitar for my birthday in middle school. When I finished the 10th grade, I received my very first Stratocaster electric guitar. Additional instruments include bass guitar, drums, violin, ukulele, and more.
Since practically every student in the class is proficient in playing an instrument and brings their equipment to class, I only learned it from my peers in grades 7–12. When I was in high school, I also began writing songs. Right now I am still continuing to explore new instruments.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
COMPETITIVE. PERFECTIONIST. CURIOUS.
What is your favorite music genre and why?
Since Filipino OPM music is what I typically hear back home, and it helps me feel at home, I frequently listen to it. Due to the fact that my high school band used to play pop rock, I am also into that genre. Honestly, aside from that, it depends on my current mood.
Who is (are) your favorite music artist(s) and why?
Since I’m accustomed to listening to and playing Filipino music back home, I adore a variety of Filipino musicians. Additionally, I think that their songs, especially the older, traditional ones, have profound meaning.
Three words that describe you as a musician:
VERSATILE. PASSIONATE. PERFORMER.
What do you love most about music?
Music is my comfort zone no matter where I am, and I adore how it always makes me feel calm and at ease. Growing up, it became my best friend, and I adore that. It hears all my tirades, whether I’m unhappy or joyful. I think the adage, “music speaks when words cannot,” is true. That’s the reason I enjoy writing music. It’s how I show myself to other people. I am defined by my music.
I also adore the way that music brings people together. I had no one when I first arrived at DCTC, but music helped me meet others and find things in common. I simply know that without music, I couldn’t be who I am; I couldn’t possibly quit exploring it at any point in my life.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Regardless of the genre or medium, I would probably like to establish a world in which all artists receive just compensation for their labor. If all musicians could make a living while concentrating on their craft and not have to worry about the commercial pressures that are frequently associated with the industry, that would be fantastic.
As a result, there would be more authentic, varied music and more chances for musicians of all stripes to be noticed. Even if it were a minor subject, I would also like to see music taught in schools.
Two words that best describe your experience at DCTC:
COMFORT/HOME
Addison Solberg
Music Club Co-Director
Age: 19
Hometown: Shakopee
High school and year graduated: Shakopee High School, Class of 2024
DCTC major (program and degree): Software Development A.A.S.
DCTC scheduled graduation date: 2026
DCTC extracurricular activities: Music Club co-director, IT Club
Career plans: Has plans for after DCTC that include completing software development internships, and then, after two years, moving to a bigger company to do coding.
Addison works at Shakopee Cub as a grocery stocker; his duties include stocking nonperishable products such as cereal, snacks, and drinks.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
DRIVEN
Addison Solberg • Q & A
What inspired you to form the Music Club?
When starting DCTC, I wanted to continue playing music with other students, however, DCTC did not have that opportunity. Making the Music Club seemed like an impossibility until I met the members, Allyka and Alan. After hearing that Allyka was trying to make the club I quickly jumped in. With two other musicians who really wanted to see this happen, I felt a goal and mindset build inside of me, a goal to see this club built and successful.
What instruments (singing included) do you play and how long have you been playing?
I play saxophone and piano. I played piano for nine-ish years with seven years of private lessons, and I played saxophone for eight years with all eight of those years being with bands, and other groups (bands outside of the Music Club).
Three words that describe you as a college student:
SOCIAL. OPPORTUNISTIC. PLANNING.
What is your favorite music genre and why?
My favorite genre is jazz. I am a jazz musician by heart. I love swing, blues, and improv, and all of the other jazz aspects—from funky chords, to a wild jumpy rhythm. Jazz gets me moving, and it gets me inspired.
Who is (are) your favorite music artist(s) and why?
My favorite musical group is Imagine Dragons. Although their music isn’t my number one, I very consistently love a lot of their songs.
Three words that describe you as a musician:
PASSIONATE. HEARTFUL. UNCONSTRAINED.
What do you love most about music?
My favorite aspect about music is being able to play free and daring with improvisation. It gets the heart rate beating when you’re put on the spot, and sometimes unprepared and just have to play.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
A jazz overflow: The 1920s were amazing because jazz was everywhere. Jazz has really died down, however, there are still some AMAZING groups that I aspire to join. But I also really want to start my own jazz big band someday.
Music Club gallery
View more photos by opening the DCTC Flickr album:
Music Club at DCTC
Learn more about the Music Club at DCTC by contacting:
Rocky Hyberger
Computer Technology Support Faculty
Music Club Faculty Co-Advisor
IT Club Faculty Advisor
Dakota County Technical College
rocky.hyberger@dctc.edu
651-423-8385
Jeff Owens
Information Systems Management Faculty
Music Club Faculty Co-Advisor
Dakota County Technical College
jeffrey.owens@dctc.edu