Event Calendar & News: Student News

Student News

Karel Abo, an undergraduate in Violin Performance, was concertmaster for the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra.

Jason Altieri, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, served as conductor of musical productions for the Interlochen Arts Camp in summer 2003.

Dmitri Atapine, a master’s student in Music Performance, won first prize at the City of Llanes (Spain) competition. He was accepted to the Artist Diploma program at Yale University.

Benjamin Ayotte, a doctoral candidate in Music Theory, published Heinrich Schenker: A Guide to Research with Routledge Press. The book consists of over 1,500 citations, many of which are annotated, to Schenker’s own works as well as the burgeoning secondary literature on Schenkerian theory and analysis. It includes a thematic catalogue of Schenker’s musical compositions, indices cross-referenced by author, work, and analytical topic, and a multilingual glossary of Schenker’s unique terminology.

Julie Boepple, an undergraduate in Music Education, performed the role of Renee in The Odd Couple and Meg in Damn Yankees at Barnswallow Community Theater in Cassopolis (Mich.).

Matthew Brown, a doctoral candidate in Tuba Performance, performed as substitute tuba with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Ann Arbor Symphony, and the Traverse Symphony. He was a finalist for a teaching position at Bowling Green State University.

Sheri Brown, an undergraduate in Music Education, was selected––upon her exceptional admissions audition to the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford (Conn.)––as a member of Performance 20/20, a chamber group in which a full tuition scholarship is awarded to each member. She began graduate work there in fall 2004. The group frequently collaborates with composers to commission new music and performs various types of chamber music at many different venues.

Aaron Brunelle, an undergraduate in Tuba Performance, received a scholarship to study in Vienna for the spring 2003 semester, and was a semifinalist in the Falcone Festival tuba artist division competition.

Jeff Buettner, a doctoral candidate in Music Conducting and conductor of the MSU Collegiate Choir, received a Special College Research Abroad Moneys fellowship for summer 2004, and a research enhancement award from the MSU Graduate School in summer 2003 for research on his thesis, Gypsy Vocal Music of Ukraine.

Maureen Carlson, a doctoral candidate in Voice Performance, was appointed adjunct voice instructor at the University of Michigan–Flint. She made her European debut on a concert tour in Italy in August 2004. She performed as Mimi in the MSU Opera Theatre’s production of La Bohéme.

Nelson Corchado, a master’s student in Music Performance, performed as a substitute with the Detroit Chamber Winds, Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and Midland Symphony, and was a finalist for a position with the U.S. Air Force Band.

Paris Draghici, a master’s student in Violin Performance, received a fellowship to perform in the Ohio Opera Orchestra.

Lindsay Drecoll, an undergraduate in Music Education and Voice Performance, performed as Bessie in Kurt Weill’s Mahagonny Songspiel with LaFabbrica Opera in Vicchio (Italy). She also performed as the third Spirit in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with the Lansing Lyric Opera (Mich.).

Kenneth Drobnak, a doctoral candidate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance, was a finalist for a position in the U.S. Air Force Band, and was appointed substitute tuba for the New World Symphony (Fla.).

Brian Enabnit, a master’s student in Music Education, performed as extra euphonium with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and was a semifinalist in the euphonium artist division at the Falcone Festival.

Mark Garberich, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, was a presenter at the International Philosophy of Music Education Symposium in Lake Forest (Ill.) in summer 2003.

David Garner, a doctoral candidate in Cello Performance, was appointed to the faculty at Albion College (Mich.).

Julie Garner, a doctoral candidate in Cello Performance, was appointed to the faculty at Flint Arts School (Mich.), and invited to work for Jonathan Wentworth Artists in New York.

Jonathon Gewirtz, a master’s student in Saxophone Performance, was appointed jazz band director and saxophone instructor at Lansing Community College, where he also teaches music appreciation, music theory, and jazz and blues history. He is also jazz band director and saxophone instructor at Olivet College (Mich.).

Claudio Gonzalez, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was appointed as professor at the University of Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela, and is professor of violin and conductor at the Emil Friedman School, also in Caracas.

Murray Gross, a doctoral candidate in Music Composition, taught two courses at Alma College (Mich.) in spring 2004.

Timothy Gunn, a doctoral candidate in Bassoon Performance, as part of a woodwind trio, was selected to attend “live round” at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in spring 2003. He was appointed as a member of the Cleveland’s Red Orchestra in May 2003.

Thomas Harris, an undergraduate in Music Education, performed with the Nelson Riddle Big Band and the Galliard Brass Quintet.

Emily Hay, a doctoral candidate in Oboe Performance, was appointed second oboe in the Jackson Symphony (Mich.). She was also appointed to positions with the Chautauqua Festival Orchestra (N.Y.) and New World Symphony (Fla.) through national auditions, and was a semifinalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.

John Hipol, an undergraduate in Music Education, was appointed principal horn for the Midland Symphony Orchestra (Mich.).

Jonathan Holden, a doctoral candidate in Music Performance, was appointed principal clarinet for the Jackson Symphony (Mich.).

Richard Holland, a doctoral candidate in Music Performance, was appointed director of Jazz Studies at Oswego State University of New York.

Paul Hondorp, a doctoral candidate in Music Conducting, was appointed to a tenure track position as director of choral activities at the University of Western Kentucky in Bowling Green.

Christina Hornbach, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, presented a paper entitled “A response to Masafumi Ogawa’s ‘Music Teacher Education in Japan: Structure, Problems, and Perspectives’ ” at the Philosophy of Music Education International Symposium V at Lake Forest College (Ill.) in summer 2003. She presented a research poster entitled “Current elementary general music class singing practices and indications for the profession” at the Michigan Music Education In-service Conference in Ann Arbor in January 2004.

Carolyn Houtaling, a master’s student in Music Therapy, was appointed music therapist at Genesee Public Schools in Flint (Mich.).

Yu-Feng Huang, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, was appointed to the faculty at Jackson Music School (Mich.).

Sheri Jaffurs, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, presented “Developing Musicality: Formal and Informal Practices” at the International Sociology of Music Education Symposium in Denton, Texas, in April 2003. She presented a workshop at the Michigan Music Educators Association In-service Conference, and a poster presentation at the Committee on Institutional Cooperation Conference at Penn State University in October 2003. She also presented the paper “Musical Collaboration” at the Society for Music Education, Psychology, and Research (Sempre) Conference in Milton Keyes, England, in April 2004.

Jennifer Kennard, a doctoral candidate in Flute Performance, was appointed flute instructor at the Flint School of Performing Arts (Mich.).

Yuko Kishimoto, a master’s student in Piano Pedagogy, received a full-time instructor position at The Music Studio in Albany (N.Y.).

Lisa Huisman Koops, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, presented the paper “Research Bifocals: The relationship of Ethnomusicology and Music Education in Research Today” at the Great Lakes Chapter College Music Society Annual Meeting. She presented her research poster entitled “A Collection of Gambian Children’s Music Games Appropriate for Use in the American Elementary General Music Classroom” at the Committee on Institutional Cooperation Music Education Conference and the Michigan Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference. She also presented a session on “Incorporating Music in the Classroom” for the MSU MMEA chapter. Koops was the recipient of the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship to study Wolof (a West African language) during the 2004–2005 school year.

Stephanie Krehbiel, a master’s student in Ethnomusicology, received a Graduate Merit Fellowship from the MSU College of Arts and Letters for her master’s research in ethnomusicology on congregational singing in Mennonite communities.

Sang Eun Lee, a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance, was appointed to the faculty at Wonkwang University (Korea). She performed a solo recital at Seoul Arts Center as a result of winning a competition sponsored by the premier music magazine in Korea, and performed with the Seoul Philharmonic.

Simon Lee, a doctoral candidate in Choral Conducting, was appointed director of music and liturgy at the Church of the Holy Family in Grand Blanc (Mich.).

David Luce, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, was appointed to a tenure-track position as director of music therapy and assistant professor at Chapman University (Calif.) in fall 2003. He published two articles in refereed journals, and served as chair for a Continuing Education Course at the American Music Therapy Association Conference in Minneapolis.

Jeffrey McCray, a doctoral candidate in Bassoon Performance, was appointed principal bassoon in the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra (Mich.) in fall 2003.

Dirk Meyer, a master’s student in Orchestral Conducting, was accepted into the International Opera Workshop in Bulgaria to study and participate in the production of Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. He served as conducting fellow at the Canford Summer School of Music (England) in 2003.

Benjamin Miles, a doctoral candidate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance, was a finalist for a position with the U.S. Air Force Band and the Ann Arbor Symphony. He received second prize in the artist tuba division of the Falcone Festival; and performed as substitute tuba for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Galliard Brass Quintet of Ann Arbor (Mich.).

Nathan Miller, a master’s student in Trumpet Performance, has been invited to perform at the National Trumpet Competition in Washington, D.C.

Tess Miller, a doctoral candidate in Flute Performance, was appointed flute instructor at Albion College (Mich.).

Brent Mondoskin, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance, was appointed instructor of saxophone at Albion College (Mich.) in fall 2003.

Johnathan Murdick, a master’s student in Horn Performance, was appointed as a member of with the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, and was a finalist for positions in the President’s Own Marine Band and the New World Symphony (Fla.). He won the Low Horn Orchestral Mock Audition at the Midwest Horn Workshop (Mich.).

Laura Nanes, an undergraduate in Voice Performance, sang an oratorio at University Lutheran Church and sang for Temple Israel, the largest reform congregation in the world, during the High Holy Days.

Stephanie Nesbitt, an undergraduate in Horn Performance, received a Farkas Scholarship to attend the International Horn Symposium.

Lindsey O’Conner, an undergraduate in Saxophone Performance, presented a lecture and performed as a featured soloist for a master class given by French saxophonist Jean Yves-Fourmeau at the North American Saxophone Alliance region V Saxophone Convention at the University of Wisconsin in 2003.

Aaron Pode, an undergraduate in Music Education, performed in Mozart’s Requiem in Royal Oak (Mich.).

Jeff Price, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance, was appointed instructor of saxophone at the University of Michigan–Flint and the Flint School of the Performing Arts.

Jessica Price, a doctoral candidate in Flute Performance, was appointed flute instructor at Spring Arbor College (Mich.).

Mary Procopio, a doctoral candidate in Flute Performance and a master’s student in Ethnomusicology, was appointed flute instructor at Flint School of Performing Arts (Mich.).

Jorge Richter, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was appointed director of orchestras and assistant professor of music at East Carolina University.

Meghan Robinson, a master’s student in Piano Pedagogy, gave the presentation “Music Making and Wellness Project,” at the Michigan Music Teachers Association State Convention in October 2003.

Luis Miguel Rojas, a doctoral candidate in Cello Performance, gave recitals in Pittsburgh, Sonoma (Calif.), and at Soesteberg International Music Festival in Holland.

John Ross, a doctoral candidate in Music Conducting, was appointed director of bands at the University of Minnesota–Morris.

Barton Rotberg, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, was appointed instructor of violin and viola at the Flint Institute of the Performing Arts (Mich.).

Yael Rothfeld, an undergraduate in Music Education, was appointed vocal music teacher at Thurston Elementary School in Ann Arbor (Mich.). He participated in a panel presentation concerning an immersion internship in a culturally diverse urban setting at the Music Educators National Conference in Minneapolis.

*Susan Ruggiero, an undergraduate in Voice Performance, performed as Musetta in La Bohéme at LaFabbrica in Vicchio, Italy.

*Andrew Scheurer, an undergraduate in Music Education, presented a paper entitled “Mr. Holland’s Fantasy: Popular Music in the Schools” at the Midwestern Popular Culture Association’s annual conference in Minneapolis in fall 2003.

Stephanie Schiff, an undergraduate in Music Education and Voice Performance, performed in Cabaret du Monde and 2241 Shore Point Rd., USA  (a world premiere by Ricky Ian Gordon); in the MSU Opera Theatre’s production of Puccini’s La Bohéme; and with LaFabbrica Opera in Vicchio (Italy). She also performed the role of second Spirit in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with the Lansing Lyric Opera (Mich.).

Scott Schneider, an undergraduate in Instrumental Music Education and Music Theory, was appointed principal trombone for the Midland Symphony Orchestra (Mich.) and performed with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.

Rodney Schueller, a doctoral candidate in Music Conducting, was appointed interim director of bands and associate director of bands at Texas State University–San Marcos.

Tigran Shiganyan, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, won second place in the William C. Byrd Young Artists Competition with his performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2.

Seung Mi Song, a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance, received first prize in the Ben Salon competition.

Sean Spicer, an undergraduate in Music Education, played trombone for Mozart’s Requiem in Royal Oak (Mich.), and his work Divertissement for brass quintet was performed by the MSU Beaumont Brass (faculty) Quintet at the Midwest Conference in Chicago, and at an educational in-service at New Trier High School in Winnetka (Ill.). He guest conducted his piece La Sallian Storm with the De LaSalle High School Symphony Band (Minn.).

Evgeniy Sporov, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, served as concertmaster for the MSU String Connection concert with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.

Maya Stone, a master’s student in Bassoon Performance, was appointed assistant professor of double reeds at Austin Peay State University (Tenn.).

Kevin Streich, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, was appointed instructor of clarinet at Governor's School in North Carolina in summer 2003.

*Aaron Tenney, a master’s student in Bass Performance, was appointed to a position teaching orchestra in the Jackson Public Schools (Mich.).

*Elizabeth Tibbs, a doctoral candidate in Musicology, was appointed to two part-time positions in college/university teaching in the vicinity of Yuma (Ariz.)

Suzanne Tirk, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, was appointed professor of clarinet at Bemidji State University in Minnesota.

Luke Tomkinson, a master’s student in Clarinet Performance, was appointed as a member of the U.S. Army Band, and performed bass clarinet in the Brevard Festival Orchestra (N.C.) in summer 2003.

Matthew Tuell, an undergraduate in Voice Performance, performed as Rodolfo in the MSU Opera Theatre’s production of Puccini’s La Bohéme, with La Fabbrica Opera in Vicchio (Italy), and as a soloist with MSU Philharmonic Orchestra in An Evening of Opera.

Lara Troyer, a doctoral candidate in Voice Performance, was appointed adjunct voice instructor at the University of Akron (Ohio). She performed the role of Fiordiligi in the MSU Opera Theatre’s production of Così fan tutte. She performed with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra in Vivaldi's Gloria, and in guest recitals with the Canton Voices and at Goshen College (Ind.).

Richard Uren, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was appointed staff accompanist at Interlochen Arts Camp (Mich.) in summer 2003.

Viktor Uzur, a doctoral candidate in Cello Performance, presented recitals in Lansing (Mich.) and Athens (Ga.). He was appointed as adjunct professor of cello at Albion College (Mich.).

Freya Varner, a master’s student in Music Conducting, was appointed vocal music instructor at Lakeland Christian Academy in Winona Lake (Ind.).

Janice Waldron, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, was a presenter at the International Philosophy of Music Education Symposium in Lake Forest (Ill.) in summer 2003, and at the College Music Society Annual Regional Meeting at the University of Michigan in spring 2004.

John Waytena, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, performed as a featured Fulbright alumni and was a concert organizer at the weeklong 50th Berlin Seminar and European Fulbright Conference Where Continents Meet. He presented concerts of contemporary clarinet music by Eastern European composers in Berlin, at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, and at the Hungarian Fulbright Commission. At the concerts, he was the first American to perform a new work by the Hungarian composer Josef Sari. He also premiered The Ultra-Modernist Hoedown Showdown by Fulbright Scholar Joshua Palay.

Gregory Wolynec, a doctoral candidate in Music Conducting, was appointed director of bands at Austin Peay State University (Tenn.).

Min Xie, a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance, performed as a soloist with the Jackson Symphony (Mich.).

Youqing Yang, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was appointed director of

orchestras and professor of music at the Beijing Conservatory in China. He guest conducted the Pueblo (Colo.) Symphony Orchestra in spring 2004.

Deniz Ayca Yayman, a master’s student in Oboe Performance, was appointed substitute oboe with the Southwest Michigan Symphony.