Alumni Spotlights

"The Chronicle of Nine: The Tragedy of Queen Jane" is a joint project with Odyssey Opera and Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Pachecano (B.M., Voice and Opera, 2006) sings the title character of Lady Jane Grey, a role she also performed in the World Premiere on February 1, 2020 at Jordan Hall in Boston, MA. She also made a house and role debut as the title character in Chicago Opera Theater's live-streamed production of Daniel Catán's "La Hija de Rappaccini" in April 2021. Opera News said of the performance, "Megan Pachecano boasted an ample, shimmering lyric soprano as Beatriz."

Ramos' (M.M., Voice and Opera, 2013) album will feature two song cycles "Tres Poemas de Alfaro" and "País de Sombra" by Bolivian composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava. The CD is expected to be released by the end of the year. Ramos has been serving as the Associate Director for Music for the Diocese of Austin since 2013. In January 2021, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. 

Amsel (B.M., Conducting, 2012) will lead the orchestra in a variety of programs including Symphonic, Chamber, Family and Education concerts. Prior to this appointment, he was selected to the Aspen Conducting Academy, where he will perform in eight concerts this summer at the Aspen Music Festival.

Zuniga (D.M.A., Double Bass Performance, 2015) has been appointed to a faculty position as Double Bass professor at the National University Panamá in Panamá. 

Following the release of Fears' (B.M., Music Performance, 2013) powerful new six-song EP, "Canopy," Jeff McCord from KUTX called it "intimate, intense and sublime." 

Taylor (B.A., Woodwinds, 2000) is currently a PhD student at UT Tyler studying human resource development with a focus on the effects of gender bias on the workplace. The mission of the Pat Tillman Foundation is to unite and empower remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.

In this role, Sidey (B.M., Music Education, 2005) will be responsible for launching the inaugural Music Education Partnerships Grants program. This new funding opportunity is designed to support partnerships between community choruses and schools to increase access to choral music education and promote non-arts learning and cultural literacy, all while upholding the principles of access, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Muñoz (B.M., Trumpet Performance, 2018) is one of the the 35 Black and Latinx music professionals who are pursuing or considering academic careers. The fellowship will prepare them with the skills, insights and networks to flourish professionally and influence generations of musicians.

LOLA, or Local Opera Local Artists, will present a free online concert featuring soprano Dr. Nicole Taylor (M.M., Music, 2006; D.M.A., Music, 2011) performing songs by Black Composers. Pianist Nikki Birdsong accompanies. The concert is at 4:30 p.m. CDT on June 5 on LOLA’s YouTube Channel.

Sencalar's (B.A., Jazz Studies, 2017) album features BSOM alumni Daniel Dufour, Dr. Utah Hamrick, and Dr. Pete Rodriguez along with esteemed saxophonist, Roxy Coss. Reconnected will be available Friday August 27th, 2021.