Alumni Spotlights

After teaching in The Department of Music at Tumaini University Makumira for two years, Emmanuel Kaghondi (M.M., Music and Human Learning, 2014) received admission to the University of Minnesota for the Ph.D. in Music Education program in fall 2016. His research focus is in multi-cultural music education. Upon graduation, Kaghondi plans to return to Tanzania to continue teaching music.

Hank Hehmsoth (B.M. 1975; M.M., Applied Music/Voice/Piano, 1976), a composer and jazz performing artist in the School of Music at Texas State University, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Senior Specialist Program grant to Santiago, Chile in music this summer. 

Art Brownlow (D.M.A., Trumpet Performance, 1994) was selected as a recipient of the University of Texas System Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award for 2016.

Artina McCain (D.M.A., Piano Performance, 2011) will join the faculty at the University of Memphis as Assistant Professor of Piano this fall. Photo by Claire McAdams.

Cellist Hai Zheng (B.M. 1988; M.M., Applied Music/Voice/Piano, 1990) Assistant Professor of Music and Artist in Residence at Southwestern University, released in May her sixth CD, Remembrance on the Amatius Classics label.

Wayne Ching (B.M. 2013, M.M., Keyboard, 2015) will join the Cactus Pear Music Festival's 20th season as a festival artist, performing chamber music concerts across South Texas this summer.

Stefan Sanders (M.M. 2010, D.M.A., Conducting, 2013) is one of five featured conductors chosen from a pool of nearly 150 applicants from 18 countries, selected for their experience, talent, leadership potential, and commitment to a career in service to American orchestras. On May 11, they will lead the Nashville Symphony for an audience of music director search committee members, artistic administrators, and artist managers from League member organizations across the country. 

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.

Owen Lovell (D.M.A., Piano, 2005) is a featured artist on the new Albany Records release, "The Recalcitrants." This CD of works by ASCAP award-winning composer Randy Bauer was released in January and will be available through the iTunes Store in March. Lovell, currently an associate professor of Piano at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, has accepted a position at Georgia College starting fall 2016. 

Quinton Morris (D.M.A., Strings, 2008) launched his BREAKTHROUGH World Tour, which also includes a high interactive lecture recital and short film, based on his treatise topic—the three sonatas of Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an innovative educational residency and service learning community service. The two-year tour takes Morris to all six continents.