At its recent Summer convention, Alumna Kim Ahrens (MMED ’22) received a Choral Directors of Distinction award from the Texas Choral Directors Association.

University of North Texas alumnus Michael Thrasher (MM ’96, DMA ’97), named Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Troy University.

Collaborative piano alumna Lauren Koszyk (MM'20) joins the faculty of Opera Seme in Arezzo, Italy this summer. She is serving as opera coach, collaborative pianist and Music Director for Opera Seme's production of Umberto Giordano's opera “Mese mariano.”

Jeff Antoniuk (BM ‘90) is founder and CEO of JazzWire, Inc. a “creative and collaborative online learning community for Jazz students.” 

Kelsey Nussbaum (MMEd, 2018; PhD, Music Education, 2021) has been appointed Assistant Professor of Music Education – Strings (tenure-track) at the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona. She also serves on the National String Project Consortium board and as vice-chair of the American String Teachers Association's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Holly Dalrymple (DMA ’13) becomes a new member of the choral faculty with the Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

Grant Harbison, (MM ’10), was recently presented a Milken Educator Award. He is director of bands at The Academies at JHS, Jonesboro, Arkansas. The presentation was part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 35th tour surprising outstanding educators with the award.

Julie Yu-Oppenheim (DMA ‘07) has been selected as conductor of the Texas All-State Mixed Choir for 2023 during the Texas Music Educators Association conference in San Antonio.

American Harp Society Foundation posted its recordings of winners from the 2020 and 2022 Anne Adams Competition, including alumna, Kaitlin Miller. See and hear her performing Sicilienne Variée by Jean-Michel Damase at the link below:

JaRod Hall (BM ‘14) won the 2021 Barbara Buehlman Prize for Composition for his piece, “Through the Storm” to be premiered by a 2022 performing ensemble at the 76th Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.