April May 2023 College News

College of Fine Arts and Communication | 21 where he will work with members of the Denver Symphony Orchestra, faculty at University of Colorado, and other instructors from around the United States. Carlos Huezo was accepted to the 2023 Santa Fe Trombone Summit, a five-day event held every summer at the New Mexico School for the Arts in downtown Santa Fe. The Mysterium ensemble is under the direction of Richard D. Hall . The Texas State Mysterium for New Music Ensemble recently performed at the 2023 MuTe Fest (Music Technology Festival) opening concert at the University of Texas San Antonio. The theme of the festival was video games. The ensemble performed “Video Game Music Reboot,” music from several well-known video games including Last of Us, Kingdom Hearts II, Super Marios Bros, Castlevania, Minecraft, Donkey Kong Country, and Pokémon. All pieces were arranged by current students and alumni of the ensemble. Members of the ensemble were students Stephan R. Arce-Penedo , Jay Nava , Joshua Nepote , Lucas Perkins , Ben Schroeder Elliot Smith , and alumni Thomas Torres . [5] Jose Vazquez was invited to participate in the 2023 Sewanee Summer Music Festival—one of the most prestigious music festivals in the country. Jack Woodruff was selected via audition to attend the Sinta Quartet Summer Institute at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham. ALUMNI ACCOLADES Meredith Shoults was selected Teacher of the Year at Navarro Elementary School in the Lockhart Independent School District. The star of Sweeny Todd , praised for her unprecedented nuances in the role of Mrs. Lovett, was dynamic Mela Sarajane Dailey , who captivated audiences with her beautiful voice and on-the-money comedic timing. [6] Mela Sarajane Dailey is a Grammy- winning international vocal performer with an expanding presence in film, television and radio; a major national arts event producer; radio host; and a philanthropic and community leader in Texas and beyond. Widely recognized as one of the most dynamic and beloved performers commanding the stage today, Dailey is a classically trained Soprano. As a 2014 Grammy winner and eight-time nominee with choral ensemble Conspirare, Dailey has inspired audiences worldwide with her vocal mastery and ability to connect with fans and critics alike. Dailey is known for seamlessly moving across musical genres including opera, oratorio, art song, musical theater, vocal, jazz, gospel, country, and popular music. She has won competitions sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs, Metropolitan Opera, New York University, Gerda Lissner Foundation, Downbeat Magazine, and Connecticut Opera Guild. Dailey’s professional debut was in 2003 at Carnegie Hall with Conspirare, A Company of Voices, directed by renowned choral composer, conductor, and arranger Craig Hella Johnson. #ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT