Nicki Bakko Toliver

Dr. Nicki Bakko Toliver will join the faculty of the Challey School of Music at North Dakota State University as Associate Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music (Vocal Music Education). In this role, she will teach graduate and undergraduate music methods courses, supervise pre-service teachers in the Teacher Education Program, coordinate the Master of Music in Music Education degree program, and conduct various choral ensembles.

Toliver brings a distinguished career across public and private school systems in Minnesota, North Dakota, Nevada, and Arizona. Prior to her appointment at NDSU, she served the students of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Beyond the rehearsal room and classroom setting, Toliver is an active church musician, adjudicator, clinician, and performer. She currently serves on the Midwestern ACDA Resource and Repertoire Leadership group as the chair for SSAA ensembles and as the College and University chair for the Iowa Music Educators Association.

Her research focuses on systemic gender bias in choral rehearsal environments, and she is committed to cultivating servant leadership in her students, with particular emphasis on supporting and empowering female educators and conductors.

Dr. Toliver holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from North Dakota State University, a Master of Music in choral music education and conducting from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in vocal music education from Concordia College, Moorhead. She is grateful for the continued support of her husband, Travis, and their sons, Carson and Tiegan.