Alumni Spotlights

Keith Clifton

Keith Clifton (B.M., Voice and Opera, 1990) elected President of the Midwest Chapter of the American Musicological Society

February 13, 2025
Dr. Michael Benson

Michael Benson (D.M.A., Piano, 2008) serves as executive director of the Richland Academy of the Arts

February 6, 2025 | Richland Source

Benson is the executive director of the Richland Academy of the Arts (RAA) in Mansfield, Ohio. Following a distinguished career in higher education, including teaching and administrative appointments, he retired as professor emeritus of music from Malone University in May 2023. Now focused on the RAA's mission to foster creative potential through artistic expression, Benson is leading a fundraising campaign for the organization, which serves approximately 1,900 students weekly across multiple arts disciplines in eight Ohio counties.

Gerald Liu

Gerald Liu (M.M., Strings and Harp, 2022) awarded viola position with Seattle Symphony

January 21, 2025
Michael Follis

Michael Follis (B.M., Music Performance, 2020) appointed as Senior Associate Conductor of the National Children's Chorus in Chicago

January 16, 2025
James Sclater

James Sclater (D.M.A., Composition, 1970) awarded 2024 ASCAP Plus Award

December 13, 2024
Bruce Faulconer

Bruce Faulconer's (D.M.A., 1978) completed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra now streaming on Spotify

November 21, 2024 | Wikipedia

Bruce Faulconer has completed a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, now streaming on Spotify. He completed 20 songs for a children's book series in the past year. His recording studio, CakeMix, located in Dallas, Texas, recently opened a certified Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 mixing room.

Hai Zheng

Hai Zheng (M.M., Strings and Harp, 1990) featured in episode of Amazon documentary "The Story of Art in America"

November 14, 2024 | Southwestern University

Hai Zheng, Assistant Professor of Music and Artist in Residence from Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University, will be featured in season three, episode two of the Amazon documentary "The Story of Art in America." The series features in-depth interviews with artists and art historians, highlighting the role of the arts in American society and its historical significance.