Following the Music

Kétina François’s passion for music runs deep — a love her parents proudly take credit for.

They often remind her that it all began when they played classical music for her as a baby.

That early influence eventually led Kétina to UND, where she’s now dedicated to studying music education and dreams of becoming a conductor. 

Starting with the basics of piano, she joined the orchestra to play double bass in the fourth grade, and her musical repertoire grew from there.

In middle school, at the insistence of her parents, Kétina joined several choir groups—traditional choir, show choir and her church choir—as well as jazz band, becoming a versatile musician with a deep passion for vocal performance.  

The end goal is to become a conductor and conduct an all-state orchestra. I would love to come back to North Dakota to do that.

As she advanced into high school, Kétina’s musical talents continued to flourish, but her career aspirations were less certain.

“When I got to high school, my goal wasn’t really to be a music kid,” she said. “I took music as electives, but my plan was to be an engineer.” 

But it was an inspiring speech from her All-State mixed choir director that led Kétina to promise herself she would always stay involved in music in some way. 

After auditioning for UND’s Honor Orchestra as a high school sophomore, Kétina realized quickly that this campus was where she belonged.

“I had an absolute blast,” she said. “I loved all the professors I met, I loved that it was in my state and not too far from my home.” Kétina said she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.  

When she first enrolled at UND, her path had shifted from engineering to law, so she declared a double major in criminal justice studies and music, trying to balance her passion with a more conventional career plan. 

But about a month before classes began, Kétina’s mom asked why she had decided to become a lawyer.

“I was like, because you guys want me to,” Kétina said. “And she said, ‘You can’t take a job because you want to make us happy; you have to do something you want to do.’” With that encouragement, Kétina committed fully to music education. 

She felt at home on campus and within the music community at UND right away.

Looking back, Kétina describes the Music Department as one big family, where everyone supports each other with words of encouragement and constructive criticism. “All of the professors here are so understanding and wonderful,” she said. “They want you to succeed, and they want to bring out the best in you and see you flourish.” 

Throughout her time at UND, Kétina’s dedication to her craft has earned her numerous accolades. She has excelled in various musical competitions across North Dakota, winning awards and recognition that stand as a testament to the talent and commitment she has poured into her musical journey. 

A significant part of her success, Kétina says, is due to the support and guidance of Melanie Popejoy, a professor within the Music Department. “I don’t know where I would be without her,” Kétina said.

“She holds me accountable and she’s always there for me, to push me or just to talk to.” Under Popejoy’s guidance, Kétina has taken on the role of conducting assistant, which has given her the opportunity to tackle new challenges, including leading various choral ensembles on campus, such as Allego and Vivo. 

Looking ahead, Kétina’s goals are as ambitious as they are inspiring. After graduating from UND, she plans to teach, sharing her love of music with the next generation. But her journey won’t stop there. Kétina has her sights set on furthering her education, with plans to pursue her master’s and doctoral degrees. 

Kétina is considering the idea of continuing her education and exploring other parts of the country but ultimately plans to return to North Dakota to one day conduct an orchestra. “I think the end goal is to become a conductor and hopefully conduct an all-state orchestra,” she said.

“And I would love to come back to North Dakota to do that. Full circle, right?”