By Katie Linder 

While at Iowa, graduating senior Kelby Yoder learned to sing in four different languages.  

Yoder, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will sing his final performance as an undergraduate student with the national anthem during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences fall 2022 commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Yoder will receive a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance.  

While studying in the UI School of Music, Yoder was part of Kantorei, the school’s premier choral ensemble, and sang in the opera program. Yoder says his training at Iowa taught him to be a multifaceted performer, which will serve him well in his future vocal endeavors.  

“There have been many opportunities for me to perform to help grow my confidence and showmanship,” he says.  

Yoder says, more broadly, his time as a Hawkeye has made him stronger and better equipped to handle adversity.  

“Dealing with roommates, balancing school and work with my mental health, I was able to push myself and become better. It was difficult at first, but through my time at Iowa, I have learned how to stay strong and take it day by day,” Yoder says.  

Yoder says he’ll miss being near extended family and living with his twin sister, as they both will graduate Saturday from the UI—but he is looking forward to moving to Georgia to be near his parents who have relocated there from the Hawkeye state. He plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s in vocal performance and hopes to spend time in a young artists program in Europe.  

For more information about University of Iowa commencement, visit commencement.uiowa.edu.