Alumni in the News

Jerry Freid (B.F.A., Art, 1963) was one of nine artists selected to participate in the juried art show, Speaking Silence, at Gallery Shoal Creek in Austin. The exhibition ran from Nov. 1 to Dec. 3 and featured an online catalogue.

Rachel Charbel recently won a full-time position as a violin II with the Cincinnati Symphony and also joined the faculty at the Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts. Both positions began in fall 2015. She also plays with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and Concert:Nova ensembles as a guest artist.

Alan Guckian (B.M., Music Studies, 2001), band director at Eastside Memorial High School in East Austin, is one of 25 finalists for the Grammy Music Educator Award, beating out 4,500 other nominees. 

Sam Pluta (M.M., Composition, 2005) and Ian Dicke (D.M.A., Composition, 2012) were among the six people awarded the Barlow General Commission 2015. It is one of the most sought-after honors among composers.

Nick Doshier (B.M., Music Studies, 2015) teaches in the Austin Independent School District, splitting his time between Mendez Middle School and Travis High School.

Corey Rom (D.M.A., Music, 2015) was appointed director of instrumental studies at Grace Christian Academy of North Texas, and is co-director of the Frisco Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Alumna Natalia Anciso (B.A. in Studio Art, 2008) appears in this month's 30th anniversary issue of Elle Magazine as part of the publication's "This is 30" feature, an assembly of 35 of the world's most accomplished 30-year-old women, including skier Lindsey Vonn, philanthropist Lauren Bush Lauren, and actress America Ferrera. 

Emmy Award-winning Casting Director Holly Powell has written the best selling book, The Audition Bible: Secrets Every Actor Needs To Know.

Kirstin Garrison (B.M. Music Education, 2009) was recently selected as the newest member of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA) Board of Directors.

Jonas Criscoe (B.F.A Studio Art, 2006) participated in The Contemporary Austin's Teen Artist + Mentor Program, which culminated this summer in the exhibition Special Blend.