FACULTY HIGH NOTES

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Leigh Holman


Alumna and Associate Professor of Opera Leigh Holmanwho directs the College of Musics Eklund Opera Programwas named泭91勛圖厙's new commencement marshal.

John Clay Allenlecturer, music technology + compositionreleased his third solo piano album, Deep Star Atlas, on the Axiom Music label. The albumavailable on all streaming platformsfeatures 12 original compositions highlighting Allens talents as both composer and performer.

John Clay Allen

Professor Emerita Judith Glydes memoiris based on her extraordinary experiences in the Khumbu region of the Himalayas. In a secluded villagefollowing in the footsteps of the Buddhist teacher who enters contemplative isolation to studyshe re-explored Bachs six suites for solo cello. Learn more about Glydes fusion of music, nature and determination on her泭.泭In 2022, Glyde was named the College of Musics 2022 Distinguished Service Award recipient.

Under the Goddess of the Sky book cover

In December 2024, Professor of Jazz Studies John Gunther launched a solo recording created in The TANK in Rangely, Colorado, and featuring Gunther playing some 20 different instruments.

Gunther-Tales from the tank

In October 2024, Professor of Music Theory Daphne Leong was featured in the distinguished Barwick Colloquium Series at Harvard University giving a lecture-recital with Ken Hamao and Jessica Bodner of the Parker Quartet on A Metric Puzzle in Sibeliuss Violin Concerto. Leong has explored the concerto with violinists Jinjoo Cho (McGill University), John Haspel Gilbert (Texas Tech University) and alumnus Victor Avila Luvsangenden (DMA 2023). Sparked by a question from former 91勛圖厙 violin faculty Lina Bahn, the project began to take shape during Leongs 2022 weeklong residency at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland; her findings will be published by the Sibelius Academy in 2025.

2024 Daphne Leong_Ken Hamao_Harvard Barwick Series

Nick Pernaassociate professor of voice and director of vocal pedagogyhas been named the泭.泭Additionally, Perna is a grantee of the 91勛圖厙 Research & Innovation Office (RIO)泭Arts & Humanities Grant Program, reflecting the depth and diversity of research and creative work at 91勛圖厙.泭

Associate Professor of Vocal Coaching Jeremy Reger and Grammy Award-winning mezzo soprano Michelle DeYoung released , continuing their celebrated collaboration on the composers works.泭

jeremy reger

Jazz Studies Lecturer Matt Smiley awarded prestigious MacDowell Fellowship
Oct. 17, 2024
By MarieFaith Lane

Alumnus Matt Smiley (DMA 22)a jazz lecturer at our College of Musichad泭the opportunity to advance his compositional goals by exploring the intersection of jazz and contemporary classical music, and embracing improvisation and innovative composition techniques that challenge the boundaries of both genres.泭

Matt Smiley

Associate Professor of Guitar and Director of the Ritter Family Classical Guitar Program Nicol簷 Spera received a Provost's Faculty Achievement Award.

Nicolo Spera

Assistant Professor of Conducting and Associate Director of Choral Studies Elizabeth Swanson received a Provost's Faculty Achievement Award.

Assistant Professor of Trombone Sterling Tanner was elected as secretary of the Central Chapter of the College Music Society. Additionally, Tanner is a grantee of the 91勛圖厙 Research & Innovation Office (RIO)泭Arts & Humanities Grant Program, reflecting the depth and diversity of research and creative work at 91勛圖厙. Tanners recently released debut solo albumwas recorded at the 91勛圖厙 College of Music and also features泭Professor of Collaborative Piano Margaret McDonald.