Master's and Bachelor's Commencement Ceremonies

Friday, May 8, 2026
12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Margot and Bill Winspear Hall
at the Murchison Performing Arts Center

 

CEREMONY I (12:00 PM)  Ceremony II (4:00 PM)  General Information  Faculty-Staff Leadership

 

 

Ceremony I

Friday, May 8, 2026 · 12:00 PM
Margot and Bill Winspear Hall – Murchison Performing Arts Center

Prelude Music

Yuqing He, organ

Fugue in E minor, BWV 548 “The Wedge”

by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Live Wire (2007)

by Iain Farrington (b. 1977)

Litanies, JA 119 (1937)

by Jehan Alain (1911–1940)

Processional:
Crown Imperial (1937)

by William Walton (1902–1983)
Yuqing He, organ

The Star-Spangled Banner

Lauren Abell, soprano · Heyjee Kim, piano

Opening Remarks

by John W. Richmond, Ph.D., Professor and Dean of the College of Music

Dean’s Address

by Dean John Richmond

Special Performance:
“Au fond du temple saint” (The Pearl Fishers Duet), from Les pêcheurs de perles (1863)

by Georges Bizet (1838–1875) · Libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré
Rudy Polk, tenor · Christopher Gray, baritone · Timothy Sanchez, piano

Greetings from the Provost

by Michael McPherson, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Presentation of Master’s Candidates and Conferral of Degrees

Recognition of Baccalaureate Students Graduating with Honors

Presentation of Baccalaureate Candidates and Conferral of Degrees

Recognition of Graduates

 

Welcome from the UNT Alumni Association

by Ernest Martinez, Chair of the UNT Alumni Association Board of Directors

Closing Remarks

by Dean John Richmond

Alma Mater: “Glory to the Green and White”

Lauren Abell, soprano · Heyjee Kim, piano

Recessional:
“Land of Hope and Glory," from Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (1901)

by Edward Elgar (1857–1934) · arranged by Alan Baylock
Alan Baylock, director · Kysen Ellis and Chloe Langford, trombones
Aiden Frier, piano · Claudia Easterwood, bass · Simon Von Hatten, drumset

Honored Graduates By Department
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies
  • Candidates for the Master of Music degree in Performance - Jazz Studies
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education
  • Candidates for the Master of Music Education degree
List of Spring 2026 Graduates
Click this link to view the full list of graduates.
Members of the Platform Party

Dr. Michael McPherson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Cathy Bryce, Member of the UNT System Board of Regents

Mr. Hayden Wochele, Member of the UNT System Board of Regents

Ms. Alayne Sewick, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer

Mr. Ernest Martinez, Chair of the UNT Alumni Association Board of Directors

Mr. Coby Condrey, Chair of the Faculty Senate

Dr. John Richmond, Professor and Dean of the College of Music

Dr. Warren Henry, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Music Education

Dr. Kirsten Soriano, Associate Dean for Operations and Associate Professor of Composition

Dr. Emilita Marin, Assistant Dean for Business and Finance

Ceremony Announcer · Dr. Jeffrey Snider, Associate Professor of Voice
Faculty Seated Onstage

Gideon Alorwoyie, Professor of Percussion

José Aponte, Principal Lecturer of Drumset and Latin Percussion

Jennifer Barnes, Professor of Vocal Jazz

Alan Baylock, Professor of Jazz Studies

Daniel Bubeck, Senior Lecturer of Voice

Daryl Coad, Principal Lecturer in Clarinet

Michael Crawford, Lecturer of Music Education

Diego Cubero, Associate Professor of Music Theory

Richard DeRosa, Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging

Barbara Dietlinger, Assistant Professor of Music History

Rosana Eckert, Principal Lecturer of Vocal Jazz

Nick Finzer, Associate Professor of Jazz Trombone

Mark Ford, Regents Professor of Percussion

Miguel Garcia, Assistant Professor of String Music Education

Liudmila Georgievskaya, Assistant Professor  of Piano

Crystal Gerrard-Ramirez, Assistant Professor of Music Education (Instrumental)

Benjamin Graf, Principal Lecturer of Music Theory

Steven Harlos, Professor of Piano

David Heetderks, Associate Professor of Music Theory

William Joyner, Associate Professor of Voice

Jamey Kelley, Associate Professor of Choral Music Education

Joseph Klein, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Composition

Don Little, Regents Professor of Tuba

Kimberly Cole Luevano, Professor of Clarinet

Oscar Macchioni, Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy

Katherine McBain, Senior Lecturer in Horn

Dave Meder, Associate Professor of Jazz Piano

Stacie Mickens, Professor of Horn

Mary Mills, Lecturer in Voice

Mark Montemayor, Professor of Music Education

Davy Mooney, Associate Professor of Jazz Studies (Guitar)

Jessica Nápoles, Professor of Choral Music Education

Timothy Owner, Assistant Professor of Trombone

Phillip Paglialonga, Professor of Clarinet

Rob Parton, Professor of Jazz Trumpet – Lead Trumpet Emphasis

Sean Robert Powell, Professor of Music Education

Gudrun Raschen, Senior Lecturer in Double Bass

Jamie Rives, Visiting Lecturer in Music Education

Debbie Rohwer, Regents Professor of Music Education

Raquel Samayoa, Associate Professor of Trumpet

Lynn Seaton, Regents Professor of Jazz Bass

Terri Sundberg, Professor of Flute

Kimberly Hannon Teal, Associate Professor of Jazz History and Research

Andrew Trachsel, Professor of Wind Studies

Amy Woody, Lecturer in Wind Studies

Back to Top  General Information  Faculty-Staff Leadership

 

 

Ceremony II

Friday, May 8, 2026 · 4:00 PM
Margot and Bill Winspear Hall – Murchison Performing Arts Center

Prelude Music

Yuqing He, organ

Fugue in E minor, BWV 548 “The Wedge”

by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Live Wire (2007)

by Iain Farrington (b. 1977)

Litanies, JA 119 (1937)

by Jehan Alain (1911–1940)

Processional:
Crown Imperial (1937)

by William Walton (1902–1983)
Yuqing He, organ

The Star-Spangled Banner

Maryn West, soprano · Heyjee Kim, piano

Opening Remarks

by John W. Richmond, Ph.D., Professor and Dean of the College of Music

Dean’s Address

by Dean John Richmond

Special Performance:
“Au fond du temple saint” (The Pearl Fishers Duet), from Les pêcheurs de perles (1863)

by Georges Bizet (1838–1875) · Libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré
Rudy Polk, tenor · Christopher Gray, baritone · Timothy Sanchez, piano

Greetings from the President

by Harrison Keller, Ph.D., University President

Presentation of Master’s Candidates and Conferral of Degrees

Recognition of Baccalaureate Students Graduating with Honors

Presentation of Baccalaureate Candidates and Conferral of Degrees

Recognition of Graduates

 

Welcome from the UNT Alumni Association

by Ernest Martinez, Chair of the UNT Alumni Association Board of Directors

Closing Remarks

by Dean John Richmond

Alma Mater: “Glory to the Green and White”

Maryn West, soprano · Heyjee Kim, piano

Recessional:
“Land of Hope and Glory," from Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (1901)

by Edward Elgar (1857–1934) · arranged by Alan Baylock
Alan Baylock, director · Kysen Ellis and Chloe Langford, trombones
Aiden Frier, piano · Claudia Easterwood, bass · Simon Von Hatten, drumset

Honored Graduates By Department
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Music
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Critical Studies in Music and Society
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music
  • Candidates for the Master of Arts degree in Music – Ethnomusicology
  • Candidates for the Master of Arts degree in Music – Musicology
  • Candidates for the Master of Arts degree in Music Theory
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Composition
  • Candidates for the Master of Arts degree in Music Composition
  • Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance
  • Candidates for the Master of Music degree in Performance
List of Spring 2026 Graduates
Click this link to view the full list of graduates.
Members of the Platform Party

Dr. Harrison Keller, University President

Dr. Cathy Bryce, Member of the UNT System Board of Regents

Mr. Hayden Wochele, Member of the UNT System Board of Regents

Dr. Elizabeth With, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs

Mr. Ernest Martinez, Chair of the UNT Alumni Association Board of Directors

Mr. Coby Condrey, Chair of the Faculty Senate

Dr. John W. Richmond, Professor and Dean of the College of Music

Dr. Warren Henry, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Music Education

Dr. Kirsten Soriano, Associate Dean for Operations and Associate Professor of Composition

Mr. Armando Sanchez, Macebearer and President of the Student Government Association

Ceremony Announcer · Dr. Jeffrey Snider, Associate Professor of Voice

Faculty Seated Onstage

Gideon Alorwoyie, Professor of Percussion

Alan Baylock, Professor of Jazz Studies

Daniel Bubeck, Senior Lecturer of Voice

Jung Choi, Assistant Professor of Oboe

Andrew Chung, Associate Professor of Music Theory

Mary Karen Clardy, Regents Professor of Flute

Daryl Coad, Principal Lecturer in Clarinet

Stephen Dubberly, Associate Professor of Vocal Literature and Coaching

Susan Dubois, Regents Professor of Viola

Molly Fillmore, Professor of Voice

Mark Ford, Regents Professor of Percussion

Rebecca Geoffroy-Schwinden, Associate Professor of Music History

Daphne Gerling, Assistant Professor of Viola

Darrel Hale, Associate Professor of Bassoon

Steven Harlos, Professor of Piano

David Heetderks, Associate Professor of Music Theory

Jeffrey Hepker, Assistant Professor of Commercial Music

John Holt, Professor of Trumpet

William Joyner, Associate Professor of Voice

Joseph Klein, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Composition

Panayiotis Kokoras, Regents Professor of Composition

Federico Llach, Assistant Professor of Commercial Music

Kimberly Cole Luevano, Professor of Clarinet

Oscar Macchioni, Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy

Katherine McBain, Senior Lecturer in Horn

Stacie Mickens, Professor of Horn

Mary Mills, Lecturer in Voice

Mark Montemayor, Professor of Music Education

Stephen Morscheck, Professor of Vocal Studies

Jessica Muñiz, Assistant Professor of Music Business

Eric Nestler, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Saxophone

Timothy Owner, Assistant Professor of Trombone

Phillip Paglialonga, Professor of Clarinet

Pamela Mia Paul, Regents Professor of Piano

Gudrun Raschen, Senior Lecturer in Double Bass

Gillian Robertson, Principal Lecturer of Music Theory

Terri Sundberg, Professor of Flute

Mark Tempesta, Assistant Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy

Andrew Trachsel, Professor of Wind Studies

Vivek Virani, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Music Theory

Brian Walker, Associate Professor of Trumpet

Carol Wilson, Professor of Voice

Amy Woody, Lecturer in Wind Studies

Brian Wright, Associate Professor of Music History

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Thank you for continuing to make a difference that truly resonates. You understand the life-changing impact a single gift can have, and your belief in our students is a legacy that continues to shape the College of Music.

As President Harrison Keller just launched our student success campaign, we invite you to Look North, to the UNT College of Music students whose passion and determination are moving our community forward. 

Ceremony Note

Causing distractions that prevent other guests from hearing or viewing the ceremony or any behavior that otherwise interferes with any aspect of the ceremonies is not permitted. Please show respect to all who have come to share in this experience. Individuals who engage in inappropriate, disruptive or disrespectful behavior may be removed from the venue.

About the College of Music

The University of North Texas College of Music is the largest public university music program in the United States and one of the most globally respected. Faculty and staff include internationally acclaimed artists and scholars in composition, conducting, ethnomusicology, jazz studies, music education, music business, music history, music theory, commercial music and performance. The college presents more than 700 music events annually. Students perform in more than 70 ensembles in eight campus venues and can be viewed worldwide via free superior quality live streaming. UNT music alumni can be found around the world in impressive, award-winning careers across a wide range of music professions. Our current faculty members include Guggenheim Fellows, Fulbright Fellows, an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, a Charles Ives Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist, Emmy, Grammy, Latin Grammy, Oscar and Tony nominees and Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winners. Our students come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and more than 40 countries.

The mission of the UNT College of Music is to serve our diverse musical culture with excellence, integrity and imagination. The vision of the UNT College of Music is to provide leadership, artistry and expertise to every facet of the music profession.

About the University of North Texas
Ranked a Tier One research institution by the Carnegie Classification, UNT is one of the nation’s largest public research universities with nearly 44,000 students who push creative boundaries and graduate with credentials of value so they can become tomorrow’s leaders. UNT is recognized as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the population of Texas. UNT students earned nearly 13,000 degrees last year in 240 degree programs, many nationally and internationally recognized. With a focus on academic excellence and graduating career-ready students, UNT has served as a catalyst for creativity since its founding in 1890, continually fueling progress, entrepreneurship and innovation for the North Texas region, the state — and beyond.
 
The UNT community is guided by five shared values — Courageous Integrity, Be Curious, We Care, Better Together and Show Your Fire.

Faculty-Staff Leadership

UNT System
  • Michael R. Williams, Chancellor

University of North Texas
  • Harrison Keller, President
  • Michael McPherson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

College of Music Administration
  • John W. Richmond, Professor and Dean
  • Warren Henry, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Kirsten Soriano, Associate Dean for Operations
  • Emilita Marin, Assistant Dean for Business and Finance
  • Raymond Rowell, Assistant Dean for Scholarships and External Affairs
  • Jaymee Haefner, Director, Graduate Studies
  • Mark Montemayor, Director, Undergraduate Studies
  • Matt Hardman, Director, Communications, Marketing and Public Relations
  • Julie Hohman, Director, Murchison Performing Arts Center
  • Austin Martinez, Director, Recording Services
  • Alejandro Miranda, Director, Piano Services
  • Carol Pollard, Director, Undergraduate Advising
  • Joel Wiley, Director, Admissions
  • Grace Gelpi, Executive Assistant to the Dean



College of Music Division Chairs
  • Molly Fillmore, Chair, Division of Vocal Studies
  • David Heetderks, Chair, Division of Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology
  • Joseph Klein, Chair, Division of Composition Studies
  • Oscar Macchioni, Chair, Division of Keyboard Studies
  • Eric Nestler, Chair, Division of Instrumental Studies
  • Robert Parton, Chair, Division of Jazz Studies
  • Sean Robert Powell, Chair, Division of Music Education
  • Raquel Samayoa, Associate Chair, Division of Instrumental Studies
  • Andrew Trachsel, Chair, Division of Conducting and Ensembles



Event Production and Recording Services Staff
  • Dan Schulz, Audio Technical Director
  • Annie Smith, Event Support Coordinator
  • Jordan Batson, Administrative Assistant to Associate Dean for Operations
  • Sveva Inofuentes, Assistant Director of Recording Services
  • Willy (HsinHsiung) Chen, Audio Reinforcement Specialist

 

College of Music Events Back to Top