UNO School of Music

06/01/2026

XY Duo Awarded UNO Center for Collaboration Science Fellowship

XY Duo, the flute and percussion ensemble comprised of UNO School of Music faculty members Dr. Christine Beard and Dr. Hannah Weaver, has been selected as one of five recipients of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Collaboration Science Fellowship Funding for the 2026–2027 academic year. Their project, Forging Collaboration: Interdisciplinary Team Dynamics in Wrought Iron by Andrea Reinkemeyer, will investigate the collaborative processes involved in preparing and recording Wrought Iron (2012) for flute and percussion....

XY Duo, the flute and percussion ensemble comprised of UNO School of Music faculty members Dr. Christine Beard and Dr. Hannah Weaver, has been selected as one of five recipients of the University o…

05/29/2026

UNO Jazz Students Shine on Latvian National Television During Study Abroad

UNO Jazz students Brady Jamail and Katie Ramos were recently featured on Latvian National Television, where they promoted an upcoming performance in collaboration with local musicians. The two have spent the semester studying abroad at the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Music Academy, fully supported by an ERASMUS Grant. Their experience highlights UNO Jazz’s global reach and commitment to international collaboration and artistic exchange.

UNO Jazz students Brady Jamail and Katie Ramos were recently featured on Latvian National Television, where they promoted an upcoming performance in collaboration with local musicians. The two have…

05/18/2026

UNO Instructor Justin Payne Wins George Shirley Competition

Congratulations to Justin Payne, Instructor of Voice, for winning First Prize at the George Shirley Competition held at the University of Michigan. In addition to First Prize, Prof. Payne was awarded the George Shirley Tenor Prize, the Willis Patterson Art Song Prize, and the Patricia Miller Aria Prize. The competition is in its 15th year, and is named for George Shirley, Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, and the first African American tenor to sing a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera, and the first black member of the United States Army Chorus....

Congratulations to Justin Payne, Instructor of Voice, for winning First Prize at the George Shirley Competition held at the University of Michigan. In addition to First Prize, Prof. Payne was award…

05/10/2026

05/06/2026

Dakota Brackhan Wins Nebraska Jazz Orchestra Young Artist Solo Competition

The University of Nebraska Omaha School of Music proudly congratulates Dakota Brackhan, a junior jazz studies major and trombonist studying with Chris Leach, on his outstanding achievement in winning the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra (NJO) Young Artist Solo Competition. As this year’s competition winner, Dakota will receive a cash award and will be featured as a guest soloist with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra in an upcoming performance on:...

The University of Nebraska Omaha School of Music proudly congratulates Dakota Brackhan, a junior jazz studies major and trombonist studying with Chris Leach, on his outstanding achievement in winni…

04/23/2026

Ben Folkers wins Lincoln Municipal Band Solo Competition

Ben Folkers, a University of Nebraska at Omaha music education major from Grand Island, has been named the winner of the Lincoln Municipal Band Solo Competition. As part of the honor, Folkers receives a cash prize and will appear as a guest soloist with the Lincoln Municipal Band in a featured performance on July 12. Folkers studies at UNO under the direction of Dr. Pete Madsen.