Alumni Spotlight: Leah (Walters) Knight ‘12

For Leah (Walters) Knight, Class of 2012, music has never been simply a hobby. It has been a lifelong calling.

Her journey began in her family's living room, where she sang alongside her older brother as a young child before eventually harmonizing during church services. Piano lessons started at age six, voice lessons followed at 13, and by 14 she was studying under longtime Dickinson State professor Laurae Dykema. A year later, she joined the DSU Choir, making Dickinson State the natural place to continue pursuing her passion.

While Knight developed her musical talents at DSU, she says the university shaped much more than her ability to perform. "Studying with Laurae Dykema was one of the greatest gifts of my education," Knight said. "Music was never intimidating or overwhelming in her studio. It was joyful." That philosophy continues to influence her every day. The motto of her business, Merry Melody Music Academy, "Discover the Joys of Music," was inspired directly by Dykema's approach to teaching. "Her influence continues to impact every student who walks through our doors," Knight said.

Knight also credits Dr. Bruce Southard with helping prepare her for leadership beyond the stage. Through performance opportunities, music administration and leadership experiences, Southard encouraged her to embrace challenges before self-doubt could take hold. "Rather than allowing fear or overthinking to limit me, he consistently encouraged me to step through new doors before I had time to doubt myself," she said. "Every opportunity built confidence."

After graduating in 2012, Knight and her husband relocated to Lake Park, Minnesota. As several local music teachers retired, she was presented with the unexpected opportunity to purchase a small music studio. What began as a leap of faith eventually became Merry Melody Music Academy. Founded in 2020 with just 20 students, the academy has grown into a thriving organization serving nearly 200 students each week.

Today, Merry Melody employs a manager, four music instructors, an accompanist, piano technicians and student teachers while partnering with organizations including Schmitt Music, the Becker County Museum, the Boys & Girls Club of America, the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association and the Holmes Theatre. The academy has expanded beyond private lessons to offer music, theater and art classes while creating opportunities for students to perform throughout the community.

For Knight, however, the academy's greatest success is measured in confidence rather than numbers. "Every day, our building is busy with students singing, laughing, performing, creating friendships and growing into who they were created to be," she said. "Merry Melody

has become much more than a music studio. It has become a community where families belong and students truly discover the joys of music."

Among her proudest accomplishments is establishing the Merry Melody Council for the Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to arts education through scholarships, community partnerships and the Garrick Theatre Revival Campaign in Hawley, Minnesota. The project aims to restore a historic theater while creating a permanent home for arts education and community performances.

Leading a growing organization has also shaped Knight's perspective on entrepreneurship. "Leadership is less about directing people and more about serving them," she said. "When your focus remains on helping others succeed, decisions become much clearer." Reflecting on her time at Dickinson State, Knight believes the university equipped her with far more than musical training. "Dickinson State prepared me for far more than a career in music," she said. "It taught me how to lead, how to dream boldly and how to embrace opportunities with confidence."

Her advice to today's Blue Hawks is simple: embrace every opportunity. "Don't wait until you feel completely ready," Knight said. "Take advantage of every performance, leadership role, internship and mentorship available to you. Those experiences will become the foundation of your confidence and will prepare you for opportunities you cannot yet imagine."

As founder and director of Merry Melody Music Academy, Knight continues to pass along the same encouragement and joy that her Dickinson State professors first shared with her. Through every lesson, performance and student success story, she is helping the next generation discover not only a love of music, but the confidence to pursue their own dreams.