05/02/2026
We’re proud to celebrate these students whose next steps reflect both dedication and range. Each path looks a little different, and that is part of what makes this moment meaningful. Together, they show the many directions where a music education can lead, across performance, research, education, and creative work.
• Yassin Adams (BM, Music Industry, Clarinet) has been accepted to the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to pursue a Master of Music on a full scholarship, beginning Fall 2026.
• Justin Averill (BM, Music Industry, Tuba) will attend the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music on a full assistantship to pursue a Master’s in Tuba Performance.
• Katherine Beatty (BM, Music Industry, Flute) is moving to Bloomington, Indiana to pursue work in arts administration.
• Heather Benz (BM, Music Industry, Violin; BS, Biology with a concentration in Physiology) Heather will be pursuing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, where she hopes to specialize in small motor muscle surgery and advocate for musicians' health.
• Osten Collins (BM, Music Education, Trumpet) Accepted a position as band director at Oakland Middle School (Murfreesboro, TN)
• Olivia Guthier (BM, Instrumental Music Education, Flute) is pursuing a job in Instrumental Music Education.
• Daniel K*k (BM, Jazz Studies, Piano) has been accepted to the Manhattan School of Music with a full assistantship.
• Will King (BM, Instrumental Music Education; BM, Performance, Oboe) will attend the Eastman School of Music to pursue a Master of Music in oboe performance.
• Abigail Linville (Minors in Entertainment Arts Design and Music Industry, Oboe; BS, Textiles, Merchandising and Design) continues to build a creative path that connects design and music.
• Chelsea Liu (BM, Instrumental Music Education, Flute) is pursuing a job in Instrumental Music Education.
• Cecilia Lovelace (BM, Music, Mezzo Soprano) will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to pursue a Master of Music on near full scholarship.
• Abigail Miller (BM, Music, Soprano) will continue at the Peabody Institute to pursue a Master of Music in voice.
• Jonathan Oldham (BM, Instrumental Performance, Flute) is taking a gap year to build a private studio and audition for graduate school.
• Emily Olson (BS, Biochemistry; BS, Physics; minor in Music Industry) will attend Portland State University to pursue a PhD in chemistry.
• Jayna Powell (MM, Performance, Cello) will continue to the University of Houston to pursue a DMA with a full assistantship.
• Mario Puentes (BM, Bassoon, Instrumental Music Education) will attend the University of Kansas with a graduate teaching assistantship to pursue a Master’s in bassoon performance.
• Cade Spradlin (BM, Jazz Studies, Saxophone) has been accepted to the University of Miami to pursue graduate study in Ethnomusicology, with a full graduate assistantship.
• Isaac Swinney (BM, Performance, Trumpet) will attend The Juilliard School to pursue a master’s degree in trumpet performance.
• Erin Seifert (BM, Voice, Mezzo Soprano) earned first place in the Grace Moore Vocal Scholarship Competition, receiving a $2,000 award, and will attend Indiana University to pursue a Master of Music in voice.
• Faith Taylor Van Ryckeghem (MM, Performance, Piano) will continue to serve as Adjunct Instructor of Piano at the Blair Academy at Vanderbilt.
• Jakob Young (BM, Instrumental Music Education, Flute) is pursuing a job in Instrumental Music Education.
We’re grateful for the time, energy, and care these students have given to this community. Their work has shaped the School of Music in lasting ways, and we look forward to seeing how each of these paths continues to grow.
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