The “Where in the World is…?” section is a new feature which will appear regularly in the Dickinson State University Alumni News. The section will focus on randomly selected recent graduates from Dickinson State University whose names are probably well-remembered by other classmates. The showcase will feature updates about the person’s life and career.
Scroll to the bottom of the page or click here for past featured students.

Nestled bleow the beauty of the Killdeer Mountains lies a connection to star-filled Hollywood, composer, Troy Sterling Nies ’00. Nies works as a paramedic in the Killdeer area. However, when not responding to emergencies, he is enjoying his connection with the bright lights of Hollywood. In his off time, Nies is composing film scores for independent films and various television spots. Most recently, he composed the score for the silent film adaptation of author H.P. Lovecraft’s, “The Call of Cthulhu”.

The film has received much attention, awards, and has screened all over the world, including places like Budapest, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Portland, and Boston. While the film was being screened at Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, UT he had the opportunity to be interviewed for G4’s “Attack of the Show”, MTV and several other large media outlets. The film has seen rave reviews from SCIFI, Wired Magazine and even CNN. “The Call of Cthulhu” received Best Film honors in both the jury and audience selection at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.

Nies also has a project that is not headed for the silver screen. Recently, Nies was invited by the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra to compose an original work for their January 2007 performance in Bismarck, ND.

When looking back to his days at Dickinson State University, he admits hat Dr. Arthur Svoboda’s class on music history and listening was one of his favorites. “It was adventures in good music to the nth degree,” Nies stated. “I thought I was well versed until I attended his class.” He also enjoyed studying composition with Dr. Dianne Hardy. “She was an excellent mentor and was always pushing me along with my compositions,” said Nies. He also composed a piano composition with Dr. Ray Wheeler that took first place in a state competition.

Nies admits that while at Dickinson State University, “There were many life lessons taught – and these are the lessons that prepare us most in life.”

Where in the World Is... Troy Sterling Nies | Daniela (Nagel) Martian | Jill Carr '99 | Jeremy Sundheim ‘95 |