Alumni in the News

Hank Hehmsoth (M.M., ’76) won first place in the 2010 NACUSA Texas Composition Competition. Hehmsoth is a jazz performing artist and National Endowment for the Arts fellow. He teaches Jazz Piano/Improvisation, Composition/Arranging, Film Scoring, and Music Technology at Undergraduate and Graduate levels at Texas State University; he is also the Director of Computer Applications and is WebMaster for the School of Music.

Maxine Graham Price’s (B.F.A., ’59) work is now on display at La Posada Resort and Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The next time you are in Santa Fe, you owe it to yourself to visit this historic hotel and view the wonderful collection of paintings and sculpture curated by Sara Eyestone that are on display throughout the hotel, on the grounds and in the spa. Ask Sara about a guided art tour.

Eric Neuville (M.M., School of Music ’08) will be performing in Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program’s upcoming production of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos in April.

Bryan Lester (BFA, Design, 2002) recently opened his own advertising agency based in Dallas, TX. More information about his company, The DesL Group, can be found online at www.deslgroup.com.

will be photographing the fitness team and sharing some insights on team building at Lifetime Fitness in South Austin on Friday evening, January 29. A few of the inspirational quotes she’ll be offering are:

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” —Michael Jordan

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

Malinali “Mali” Vargas Docktor (BFA, Studio Art, ‘00) lives in Calgary, AB Canada and is a volunteer fundraiser for the MS Society of Canada. This year she launched Art forMS (read as “forms”) an art exhibit and fundraiser in support of the MS Society of Canada. They have many contributing artists, including Jeffrey Primeaux (BFA, Studio Art, ‘98). For more information on the event visit http://www.teamdocktor.com/art-forms.html and if interested in contributing to next year’s art exhibit, send Mali an email through her Web site.

lives in Marlton, NJ, with his wife Diane. He is organist-choirmaster at Kemble Memorial UMC, Woodbury, NJ, and serves as Music in Worship R&S Chair for the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. Ken remains active as a choral clinician and adjudicator. He and Diane have six grandchildren, three in NJ and three in Texas.

Deanna Miesch (BFA in Studio Art, 1991) is currently showing new work at Studio2 Gallery in Austin, TX as part of a National Juried Exhibit, “Love’s Writ II”. She presents an installation of encaustic globes, incorporating plants (natives, invasive species) and painted imagery, conjuring ideas of how things connect in our “global” culture. “Love’s Writ II” at Studio2 Gallery will have a closing reception and Haiti Fundraiser, Saturday February 13, 1-4 pm, “Compassion Art Auction”.   A preview and presentation will be given by Dr. Fred Sorrells on his January visit to Haiti and his work with Global Art Initiative in Haiti.  The silent auction will take place from 2-4 pm.  On February 13, Studio2 Gallery will be accepting donations of much needed supplies for Global Art Initiative including:  toiletries, first aid supplies, crutches, walkers, canes.

www.studio2gallery.com
www.arttherapyaustin.com

has been invited to an 11-week residency at the Banff Centre in January through March 2010. During that time, he will compose, collaborate, rehearse and perform with other residency artists. Large scale compositional projects supported by this process will include a concerto for electric guitar and orchestra and two song cycles based on the poetry of Stephen Crane.

On September 1, Judy Sebesta (Ph.D., Theatre, 1997) became chair of the newly formed Department of Theatre & Dance at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Sebesta plans to continue exploring accreditation for the department through the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the National Association of Schools of Dance. For more information visit http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_7815.htm