Alumni Spotlights

Joan Schubert (B.M., Applied Music/Performance, 1982) recently released her first CD of jazz standards “Our Favorite Things” featuring Schubert, flute, and Bryon Dahl, guitar. She also has released a video of her original tune, “Joan's Blues,” dedicated to one of her jazz teachers.

Rachel Charbel recently won a full-time position as a violin II with the Cincinnati Symphony and also joined the faculty at the Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts. Both positions began in fall 2015. She also plays with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and Concert:Nova ensembles as a guest artist.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Kirstin Garrison (B.M. Music Education, 2009) was recently selected as the newest member of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA) Board of Directors.

Brian Heim (B.M. Composition, 2014) was awarded a 2015 Morton Gould Young Composer Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Dr. Kate Stubbs (D.M.A. Collaborative Piano, 2015) has just been appointed to a faculty position as Instructor and Collaborative Pianist at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.