News Stories

By Mariane Gutierrez

Professor of Voice Darlene Wiley was recently named to the American Academy of Teachers of Singing, a select group of internationally recognized voice teachers and singing voice experts with the purpose of contributing to the singing profession in an advisory capacity. She began her career as a lyric coloratura at the Staatstheater Darmstadt, and she has now accumulated more than 1,500 opera performances. Wiley has performed at more than 25 opera houses and received awards such as that of Distinguished Professor at Myong Ji University. We recently caught up with Wiley about her recent induction.

"Encouraging students to be 'small in their greatness and great in their smallness,' Thomas has an honest, modern view on composition and musical growth. He inspires students and educators alike to test boundaries, supported by a belief that people are naturally going to stumble at times when they're pioneers."

String Project student Ileana Nicholson has been performing outdoor concerts for neighbors throughout the pandemic. Nicholson and collaborator Lucy Hamre have raised over $1,000 for organizations in need.

At a time when so much of the world has been put on pause, the 2020 Rainwater Innovation Grant projects show us just how unstoppable creative energy is.

'“He’s also an open, democratic leader. If you have an idea, Billy’s default is to try to find a way to make that work, to incorporate your idea into what the group is doing. He leads by example with his playing.” Those qualities, Sprott says, will make him a great educator at UT, adding that for Black trumpet players—of which there are so few, percentage-wise—seeing someone in an authority position will move the needle for diversity and inclusion. Hunter tells me that he’s already working behind the scenes to diversify the Butler School, from student population all the way up to administration.'

Several members of the College of Fine Arts community are participating in Ofrendas, a virtual event hosted by Austin Classical Guitar (ACG) in collaboration with Mexic-Arte Museum.

Faculty members Nathaniel Brickens, Billy Hunter, Tamara Sanikidze and Darlene Wiley all receive professorships.