Alumni Spotlights

Villarreal (B.M., Music and Human Learning, 2016; M.M., Music Education, 2018), Orchestra Director at Berkner High School in Richardson, TX, started planning the program in the fall of 2021 and began the program in Spring 2022. During this first semester, Mariachi Orgullo received a first division rating at the Grand Prairie Mariachi Festival and has performed at various events in the community. The incredible interest from students and the success of Mariachi Orgullo has led mariachi to be offered as a class for the 2022-2023 school year.

Rodriguez (B.M., Voice and Opera, 2010) is also the Music Director for Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, TX.

The recording will be released on the Tonsehen label in both audio and video formats. "Mosaic for Earth" weaves together music, literature, visual arts, and science into a celebration of nature and exploration of humanity's impact on it. 

With a multimillion-dollar infusion, Austin Opera is expanding its Spanish-language programming. Local philanthropists Sarah and Ernest Butler have given the fine arts company $3.3 million. One of Chapa's (Vocal Performance) responsibilities in her role will be to make sure Hispanic and Latinx programming is represented in all of Austin Opera's platforms, according to the company, which include performances at the Long Center for the Performing Arts and Concerts at the Consulate, a series Chapa currently curates that is produced with the Consulate General of Mexico.

Zenobi (M.M., Voice and Opera, 2003/D.M.A, Voice and Opera, 2011) continues to excel as a performer and pedagogue. Her debut album, Joys Abiding: Soprano Baritone Duets by Historical Women Composers, recorded with fellow UT alumni baritone Oliver Worthington and pianist Chuck Dillard, is out on the Navona label in February 2022.

This 2021 distinction applauds the heroes of the music industry, the people who saved the day during the pandemic. Lee (B.A., Music, 1998) has been honored for her distinctive advocacy leadership through the pandemic in founding PAMAC (Performing Arts Managers and Agents Coalition) and playing a pivotal role in the industry-wide lobbying effort that led to the enactment of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program, providing $16.5 Billion in relief to the U.S. arts and culture industry.