Alumni News | November 2021

Join us in congratulating our alumni on their recent accomplishments and successes. 

Composer Andy Akiho ’11MM and Sandbox Percussion announced the release of Akiho’s Seven Pillars, a genre-defying audio and video collaboration for percussion quartet. The work consists of seven ensemble movements and one solo movement for each member of Sandbox and was developed through multiple extended residencies at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute.

Karisa Antonio ’05MM was appointed the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Director of Social Innovation in September 2020. In this role, she leads the DSO's efforts to become a better community member and neighbor in the City of Detroit. Over the past year, Antonio developed Detroit Strategy, a new process of respectful community engagement focused on listening, co-design, equity, and impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Antonio and the DSO engaged with 63 community organizations and 1,500 Detroiters in the development and implementation of interactive community Musical Experiences.

Krists Auznieks ’16MM ’22DMA was selected to participate in the 67th International Rostrum of Composers held October 12-15 in Belgrade, Serbia, a signature program of the International Music Council. Auznieks’ prize-winning piece As One (2021), for voice, chamber orchestra, and electronics, was broadcast over many radio stations in the European Broadcasting Union.  Auznieks also won a residency commission from IMC and Swedish Radio.

Conductor Gisèle Ben-Dor ’82MM was recognized by the Carnegie Corporation of New York as one of 34 naturalized citizens “who have strengthened our nation through their lives and examples.” The recognition is part of the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s annual Fourth of July celebration of immigrant contributions to American life.

Ryan Capozzo ’21MMA won a contract with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s prestigious Ryan Opera Center Artist Training Program.

Violist Rayna Yun Chou ’19MMA was named one of the 2021 ARTery 25—Artists of Color Transforming the Cultural Landscape in Boston. She was recognized for her public art projects Concert for One and Hear the Light. The latter, a large-scale immersive installation, was inspired by YSM Dean Robert Blocker’s 2017 Convocation speech and awarded a 2020 Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowship.

In August, New Focus Recordings released Unsnared Drum, the debut solo album from percussionist Michael Compitello ’09MM ’12MMA ’16DMA. Featuring a series of new solo works for the snare drum by composers Nina C. Young, Hannah Lash ’12AD, Amy Beth Kirsten, and Tonia Ko, Unsnared Drum illuminates the snare drum’s breadth of sonic possibility and depth of expressivity, revealing an instrument of drama, grace, and heart.

The Merz Trio, of which pianist Lee Dionne ’11BA ’13MM ’14MMA ’19DMA is a member, won the 2021 Naumburg Foundation International Chamber Music Competition.

Kevin R. Dombrowski ’14MM was appointed second trombonist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic for its 2021-22 season. He also joined the faculty at Valparaiso University as its adjunct professor of trombone.

Soprano Emily Cedriana Donato ’19MM received the Andrew R. Preis Award at the Oratorio Society of New York’s Lyndon Woodside Competition, earning First Place in the competition and a monetary prize.

Leona Francombe ’81MM published a new musical novel, The Universe in 3/4 Time. The European literary/musical mystery was set in motion by Francombe’s discovery one winter night of a WWII piano on a Brussels street. The book is Francombe’s appeal to serious musicians everywhere to explore the deeper meaning and historical empowerment hidden in their craft.

Charles Galante ’21MM founded a new wellness project that focuses on the physical health of musicians. As a trainer and nutrition guide, Galante helps musicians integrate fitness into their busy schedules.

The Heartbeat Music Project, which provides music education to Diné youth on the Navajo Reservation and was founded by violinist Ariel Horowitz ’19MM ’20MMA, was named a finalist for a $500,000 Lewis Prize for Music Accelerator Award. The award recipients will be announced in January 2022.

In fall 2021 pianist Hilda Huang ’17BS ’19MM ’20MMA joined the roster of Astral Artists.

The American Guild of Organists named Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs ’02MM ’03AD the recipient of its 2021 International Performer of the Year Award. The award is considered by many to be the highest honor given to organists by a professional musicians' guild in the United States.

Salome Jordania ’21MM ’22MMA won third prize at the José Iturbi International Competition in Valencia, Spain. She won three additional special prizes for the best Mozart performance, best Chopin performance, and best performance of a required piece by a Catalan composer.

Barbora Kolarova ’14MM released her debut album Imp in Impulse on the New Focus/Furious Artisans label, with music ranging from 1963 to the present by Jean Françaix, Klement Slavický, and Pascal Le Boeuf. The album was voted the “Best of 2020” by An Earful, which described Kolarova’s performance as “spectacular” with “as much personality as skill.” Gapplegate Classical-Modern Review said Kolarova plays with “considerable virtuosity harnessed to a nicely overarching expressivity” with a “personal stamp.”

Composer Lori Laitman’s ’75BA ’76MM latest album, Are Women People?—The Songs of Lori Laitman, was released in May on the Acis label. At the core of the CD is the issue of women’s suffrage, which is examined in “Are Women People?” a song-cycle for SATB quartet with piano four-hands that sets to music the words of Alice Duer Miller, Susan B. Anthony, and the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Colin Lynch ’06MM received the Masterwork Arts Foundation Organ Competition Award from an international pool of more than 20 competitors. The award is designed to aid an emerging musician specializing in organ with his or her career aspirations and development.

Ron Cohen Mann ’16AD started as the new Instructor of Oboe at Wilfrid Laurier University this fall.

Dr. David Recca ’14MMA ’18DMA as was appointed artistic director of the New York City Master Chorale, succeeding Dusty Francis and founder Dr. Thea Kano. Recca’s tenure, which follows an open, national search, will begin with opening the group’s delayed 15th anniversary season. Recca also directs the Southern Connecticut Camerata, is assistant director of the New Amsterdam Singers, and teaches music theory and ensembles at SUNY Purchase.

Composer Eleonor Sandresky’s ’95MM new album of piano and Wonder Suit improvisations was released on Supertrain Records in November. The Wonder Suit is a wearable set of wireless sensors that trigger discreet processes through movement on electronic soundscapes and a live feed from the acoustic piano.

Percussionist Yousif Sheronick ’91MM established FrameDrumSchool.org, which has more than 600 enrolled students from 52 countries. Sheronick offers instruction in a variety of world percussion, introducing instruments to new musicians and audiences.

Arlo Shultis ’20MMA was appointed adjunct lecturer in percussion at the Baylor University School of Music.

Aaron Tan ’20MM ’21MMA won first prize at the 2021 Canadian International Organists Competition, one of the world's foremost competitions for the instrument. Tan was awarded a monetary prize and professional management.

Submit your news by Jan. 1, 2022, to be included in our next update.