Alumni in the News

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

Hak Min Kim (D.M.A., 2000) has been named director of the Korean National Opera in Seoul, Korea. This position is one of the most important arts positions in the country and comes at a time when opera is gaining a strong audience in Korea. Kim had established himself as the premiere opera director in Korea prior to being named to the National Opera and is also an associate professor of theater and film at Kyung Hee University.

Dr. Michael Bunchman (D.M.A. Collaborative Piano, 2015) has been appointed to a faculty position as Staff Pianist and Collaborative Coordinator at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Martin McCain recently won a Global Music Awards Gold Medal for the Best Instrumentalist category and a Bronze Medal for his second solo CD Shades

Dr. Shane Anderson (D.M.A. Applied Music/Performance, 1999) has been appointed Chair of the Department of Music at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Adrian Hernandez (B.M. Composition, 2004) was recently selected for promotion to the rank of Master Sergeant and will be assuming the role of Chief Arranger of The U.S. Army Field Band.