Kate Henry can be heard but not seen around the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Henry, a graduate assistant for the music department, dresses in all black to blend in backstage but can stand out in a crowd during music performances.

Henry said for her work, she works for both Doudna and the music department to organize and coordinate performances.

“The biggest thing that I do is liaison work between Doudna and the music department—bring them together and organizing, those types of things,” Henry said.

Henry said her main job is making sure everything gets done and runs smoothly before and during the performances. This can mean doing everything from helping with the music crew backstage to cleaning gum off the stage floor with a key.

Henry said shoes usually slow her down when working.

“I usually have to walk around barefoot to go as fast as possible to get things done, but I like running around barefoot.” Henry said.

On top of being in charge of scheduling performances and getting the backstage crew ready, Henry also plays the flute.

“Sometimes I’ll be working at an event and performing at an event,” Henry said. “It’s busy, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Henry said the balance between working 20 or more hours a week and performing is organization.

“It takes a lot of organization—getting everything ready beforehand so that I can go into my performance zone then walk out on stage,” Henry said.

During performance weeks, Henry said she arrives at Doudna early and stays late for dress and final rehearsals.

“I’m usually the first one to get here and usually the last one to leave,” Henry said.

Henry said she got into music when she started playing flute about 13 years ago in junior high school, and she never thought of doing anything else.

Her end goal is to be a dean at a school of music.

She said she thinks being a performer will help her with her goal of being in arts administration.

However, she said she is not ready to leave school just yet. She plans to get two master’s and one doctorate degree.

“When you get to play and study the things that you love and have grown to love, it becomes fun,” Henry said.

No matter what the future holds, Henry said she is happy to be in the now.

“I think that’s the point, being able to love what you do,” Henry said. “And I do.”

Amanda Wilkinson can be reached at 581-2812 or akwilkinson@eiu.edu.