Following the release of Fears' (B.M., Music Performance, 2013) powerful new six-song EP, "Canopy," Jeff McCord from KUTX called it "intimate, intense and sublime."
Alumni News
Kimberly Theodore Sidey recently joined Chorus America as Program Officer in Music Education
In this role, Sidey (B.M., Music Education, 2005) will be responsible for launching the inaugural Music Education Partnerships Grants program. This new funding opportunity is designed to support partnerships between community choruses and schools to increase access to choral music education and promote non-arts learning and cultural literacy, all while upholding the principles of access, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Mayrn Lee Gier selected as a 2021 Tillman Scholar
Gier (B.A., Woodwinds, 2000) is currently a PhD student at UT Tyler studying human resource development with a focus on the effects of gender bias on the workplace. The mission of the Pat Tillman Foundation is to unite and empower remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.
Kimber Lee to premiere her play to the yellow house in La Jolla Playhouse’s 2021/2022 season
Additionally, the production received a 2021 Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, providing Lee (M.F.A., Playwriting, 2011) and the production team with additional funds to extend their rehearsal process.
Isaac Gómez selected as one of four artists to join Chicago-based Victory Gardens Theater’s Playwrights Ensemble
This three-year commitment comes with a world-premiere and reading of Gómez's (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2013) work, as well as access to board and artistic department meetings.
Lane Michael selected for Lambda Literary's Writer’s Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices
One of twelve playwrights to attend this multi-genred writing retreat, Stanley (M.F.A., Directing, 2020) will have the opportunity to work with a diverse faculty to hone their writing skills amongst fellow artists.
Melissa Muñoz has been selected for one of the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Future of Music Faculty Fellowships
Muñoz (B.M., Trumpet Performance, 2018) is one of the the 35 Black and Latinx music professionals who are pursuing or considering academic careers. The fellowship will prepare them with the skills, insights and networks to flourish professionally and influence generations of musicians.
Dr. Nicole Taylor will be performing songs by Black Composers at LOLA's free online concert
LOLA, or Local Opera Local Artists, will present a free online concert featuring soprano Dr. Nicole Taylor (M.M., Music, 2006; D.M.A., Music, 2011) performing songs by Black Composers. Pianist Nikki Birdsong accompanies. The concert is at 4:30 p.m. CDT on June 5 on LOLA’s YouTube Channel.
Altin Sencalar to release his 3rd album as a leader on the New York City Record Label Outside in Music/Next Level.
Sencalar's (B.A., Jazz Studies, 2017) album features BSOM alumni Daniel Dufour, Dr. Utah Hamrick, and Dr. Pete Rodriguez along with esteemed saxophonist, Roxy Coss. Reconnected will be available Friday August 27th, 2021.
Rachell Ellen Wong named concertmaster to the Seattle Baroque Orchestra
Rachell Ellen Wong (B.M., Music, 2013), a rising star on the historical performance and modern violin stages, was recently named concertmaster to the Seattle Baroque Orchestra. She was the recipient of a prestigious 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grant (the first baroque recipient in the respected program’s history) and Grand Prize winner of the inaugural Lillian and Maurice Barbash J.S. Bach Competition in 2019.
Dr. Marisa Ishikawa releases interactive multimedia experience with Carpe Diem String Quartet
In 2019, Dr. Marisa Ishikawa (M.M., Strings and Harp, 2017) became the second violinist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, an internationally recognized string quartet based in Columbus, Ohio. On May 15, the quartet will be releasing An American Story, a project presented by PNC Arts Alive. The project is an interactive multimedia experience, with music composed and performed by Carpe Diem and animation created by Janet Antich. Ishikawa’s story follows her grandfather, the son of two Austrian immigrants, and will be available for viewing on-demand following its premiere. Photo by Janet Antich
Clifton Croomes becomes assistant director of bands at Louisiana State University
In 2020, Clifton Croomes (B.M., Music and Human Learning/Music Education, 2001) was appointed assistant director of bands at Louisiana State University. In 2019, Croomes was also appointed as music director and principal conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge. Photo by Angele Rosendahl
F. Mack Wood completes first year as associate director of bands at Illinois State University
F. Mack Wood (B.M., Music and Human Learning/Music Education, 2005) is completing his first year as the associate director of Bands and director of the Big Red Marching Machine at Illinois State University. Photo by Dr. Rachel E. Wood
Diana Burgess releases solo debut album
Diana Burgess (B.M., Strings and Harp, 2015) launched a solo career with the release of her debut album, You Run. The album contains 12 songs, all performed by Burgess, and is available on all music platforms. The title track was recently featured on NPR Music's All Songs Considered. Photo by Marshall Tidrick
Artina McCain talks new work in recent interview
Artina McCain (D.M.A., Piano, 2011) discusses new work and pandemic performances in a recent interview by the University of Memphis.
Kendra Friar named Elementary Music Educator of the Year
Kendra Friar (M.M., Music Education, 1999) was recently named Elementary Music Educator of the Year by the Oregon Music Educators Association for her Oregon teaching career, scholarship focusing on elementary general music and service to the profession. Friar has also published the first article in the three-part series, Scott Joplin: A Guide for Music Educators. The series is a collection of articles that provides K-12 teachers with an asset-based representation of Scott Joplin's life, artistic contributions and cultural impact. This will be the largest number of pages dedicated to Scott Joplin in any NAfME journal. Photo by Julie Metz
Oladotun Ayobade becomes Assistant Professor at Northwestern University
Oladotun Ayobade (Ph.D., Theatre, 2016) has recently accepted a new position at Northwestern University where he will become an assistant professor with a joint appointment in Performance Studies and African American Studies. Dr. Ayobade was previously an assistant professor of Africana Studies at Brown University.
Ariel René Jackson and Michael J. Love awarded $15,000 Tito’s Prize
Ariel René Jackson (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2019) and Michael J. Love (M.F.A., Theatre, 2020) were awarded the 2021 $15,000 Tito’s Prize. The award, sponsored by Tito’s Homemade Vodka and organized by non-profit Big Medium, was presented to these Autin-based artists for their project “Descendance.” The film features a performance by Love and an original score by jazz musician Joseph C. Dyson Jr.
Jonathan and Joel Nesvadba co-produce album with Moby
Jonathan Nesvadba (B.A., Music, 2005) is releasing an album next month with electronic musical icon Moby. The album, Reprise, features orchestral versions of the singer’s best-known hits. Nesvadba co-produced the album, contributing sound engineering and backup vocals along with his twin brother, Joel (B.M., Music Studies, 2004). Work on the album started at the beginning of 2020 with recording sessions at the legendary EastWest Studios in Hollywood; the orchestra was tracked at East Connection Music Recording in Budapest, Hungary. After widespread lockdowns in March 2020, however, Nesvadba said the group tracked featured musicians in various home studios in Los Angeles.
Jonas Criscoe featured in new art exhibition
Jonas Criscoe (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2006) has work featured in Art in Isolation, an exhibition hosted by The Macy Art Gallery at Columbia University.