Alumni Spotlights

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Martin McCain recently won a Global Music Awards Gold Medal for the Best Instrumentalist category and a Bronze Medal for his second solo CD Shades

Hak Min Kim (D.M.A., 2000) has been named director of the Korean National Opera in Seoul, Korea. This position is one of the most important arts positions in the country and comes at a time when opera is gaining a strong audience in Korea. Kim had established himself as the premiere opera director in Korea prior to being named to the National Opera and is also an associate professor of theater and film at Kyung Hee University.

Adrian Hernandez (B.M. Composition, 2004) was recently selected for promotion to the rank of Master Sergeant and will be assuming the role of Chief Arranger of The U.S. Army Field Band.

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.