Recent Orchestral, Academic, and Professional Appointments
Kimia Ghaderi (BM ’12) – Violin section, Grand Rapids Symphony
Maki Kubota (MM ’17) – Cello section, Houston Symphony Orchestra
Shengnan Li (current graduate student) – Violin section, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Brian Mangrum (current undergraduate student) – Principal Horn, Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Ariana Nelson (BM ’15) – Cello section, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra
Robert Nelson (BM ’14) – Assistant Director of International Admissions, Savannah College of Arts and Design
Aaron Schuman (current graduate student) – Associate Principal Trumpet, San Francisco Symphony
Gabrielle Skinner (current graduate student) – Fellowship program, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Competitions, Awards, Performances and Premieres
Alumna Dominika Dancewicz (MM ’13) released her debut album “The Dancewicz-Doucet Duo”. She was recently featured on Houston Public Media’s “Houston Music Highlight” series.
The Dover String Quartet (MM ’13) joined violinist Janine Jansen and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet at New York’s Carnegie Hall for a live streamed performance of Chausson’s Concerto in D Major, Op. 21 for Violin, Piano and String Quartet. The quartet was also named the Quartet-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The three-year residency will include performances on the KC Jukebox series and educational programs.
Both former quartets-in-residence; Dover String Quartet (MM ’13) and Rolston String Quartet (MM ’17), performed at Northwestern University’s 2018 Winter Chamber Music Festival.
Pianist Andrew Focks (MM ’13) led a masterclass performance in piano at the Heights Arts gallery featuring young piano students.
Current Shepherd School students Michael Ferri, violin; Anya Wilkening, violin; Sebastian Stefanovic, viola; and David Olson, cello, also known as The Kamila Quartet, performed their debut concert as part of Da Camera’s Beethoven for All project. The quartet performed Beethoven’s String Quartet in A Major, Op. 18, No. 5 and the Grosse Fuge, Op. 133.
Two current graduate voice students won top prizes in Houston Grand Opera’s 30th annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. Soprano Dorothy Gal won 2nd place, and mezzo-soprano Lindsay Kate Brown was awarded 3rd place.
Alumni from the Shepherd School were part of the ensemble that received the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording of Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” at the 60th annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
Soprano Megan Kasanders (MM ’16) was named a winner in the Iowa District Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions and won the Audience Choice Award.
Violinist Robert Landes (MM ’12) performed at the Charles Bend Performing Arts Center in Humble using a “loop pedal” which creates unique sounds and transforms them into a one-person band.
Alumna Joanna Latini (MM ’17) signed on with ADA Artist Management. She was recently named one of the first place winners in the Central Region of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Joanna will advance to the semi-finals at the MET on April 22.
Current Shepherd School composition student Patrick Lenz was named the winner of the RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition. His work Pillar of Fire for Wind Ensemble will be performed by the Illinois State University Wind Ensemble.
Shepherd School current graduate voice student Dylan Morrongiello was named one of three Houston District winners in the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition.
Alumna Stephanie Ng (MM ’17) performed as part of the Waring International Piano Competition’s Three Pianos – Six Hands – One Performance Concert in Palm Desert, California.
The top three winners of the 3rd annual Saengerbund German Vocal Competition are from the Shepherd School of Music: Ricardo Rivera (MM ’17), 1st place Carl C. Zeus Founders Award; Geoffrey Hahn (current graduate student), 2nd place Sylphia Buss Director Emerius Award; Emily Helenbrook (current graduate student), 3rd place Richard E. McGinty Dir. Emeritus Award.
Shepherd School graduate student Ruben Rengel was awarded the $50,000 1st Prize in the Senior Division at the 21st annual Sphinx Competition. Ruben will have upcoming solo appearances with major orchestras, perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and receive a custom-made gold mounted bow by Berg Bows International.
Alumna Emily Senturia (BM ’04) conducted Houston Grand Opera’s production of The Barber of Seville.
Soprano Rachel Sigman (MM ’14) performed among world-renowned singers at the 19th Broadway Opera Cabaret associated with the Congregation Keneseth Israel Music Arts Community Family Concert Series in Elkins Park, PA.
Tenor Jack Swanson (MM ’16) performed the lead role Candide in L. A. Opera’s production of Candide.
Current graduate student in viola performance Megan Wright won 1st Prize in the Fondren Library Research Award Competition, undergraduate student category, for her paper titled Josquin des Prez’s Motet “Qui velatus facie” and the Canonization of St. Bonaventure in 1482.