Alumni Spotlights

Julie Bistolfo (M.M., Music and Human Learning/Music Education, 2017) launched a business for live online baby and toddler music. She has been a credentialed teacher for over 10 years and is using her skills in a new way to create a community during a time of disconnect.

Jocelyn Chambers (B.M., Composition, 2017) composed the music for Mama Gloria, a documentary directed by Luchina Fisher. The film premiered on Oct. 14 in partnership with the Chicago International Film Festival. Chambers also spoke on a panel run by the Association of Music Producers focusing on "African American Composers in Advertisement Music."

Michael Benson (D.M.A., Piano, 2008, M.M., Piano, 1995) began his tenth year serving as an Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at Malone University in Canton, Ohio and his sixth year serving as chair for the Department of Music. Benson continues to serve as the Ohio Music Teachers Association's state chair for the Buckeye Auditions and was recently elected to serve on the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE) Board of Directors.

Luis Rodriguez (B.M., Voice and Opera, 2010) was recently appointed operations manager for the Plano Symphony Orchestra in Plano, Texas. He continues to work as librarian and cover conductor for the Plano Symphony, as well as librarian for Irving Symphony Orchestra. Photo by Michal Dembinski

Audrey Bounds (B.A., Music, 2015) has joined Austin FC, The 27th Club in Major League Soccer, as the Director of Event Booking. Photo by Anne Claire Patterson

Midori Samson (M.M., Bassoon Performance, 2016) is participating in the Peace Studio's 100 Offerings of Peace campaign with a musical arts piece entitled "Crystals (On Peace)."

Sean Meyers (A.D., Woodwinds, 2020) alongside Vanguard Reed Quintet, release a debut album in June. The full-length album, Red Leaf Collection, features six world-premiere recordings of compositions for reed quintet. The ensemble has won Silver Medal at the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize at the 2017 Briggs Chamber Music Competition and Honorable Mention at the 2019 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Photo by Curtis Noborikawa III

Ruben Balboa (D.M.A., Strings and Harp, 2020) will serve as Instructional Assistant Professor of Viola,  Assistant Director and Master Teacher for the ISU String Project for the 2020-2021 academic school year at Illinois State University.

Roberta Rust’s (B.M., Piano, 1978) latest CD, Direct Contact, was released in May 2019 and has since then been praised by The Piano Magazine. She has also performed recitals and given master classes at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and Stephen F. Austin State University in January 2020. In 2019 she did the same at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore, the Manila International Piano Masterclasses Festival, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Arizona State University, University of Oregon, Auburn University and Reinhardt University. Rust also performed alongside the Fine Arts Quartet at Lynn University and served as faculty for her seventh year at the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival in Tampa. Photo by Richard Blinkoff

Anthony Gatto’s (M.M., Composition, 1991) two newest albums, The Making of Americans and Wise Blood, were commissioned by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and are set for release in July 2020 by New Focus Recordings. The first opera is based on the novel by Gertrude Stein while the second is based on the novel by Flannery O'Connor. Photo by Chris Larso