Music Education

Fennoyee Thomas named 2025 Distinguished Alumna

Mariefaith Lane — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:47:33 +0000

Fennoyee Thomas named 2025 Distinguished Alumna Mariefaith Lane Mon, 04/21/2025 - 12:47

MarieFaith Lane

The University of Colorado Boulder College of Music is pleased to announce that triple alumna Fennoyee Thomas (BA ’68, MA ’71, DMA ’83) has been named our 2025 Distinguished Alumna, honoring her lifelong contributions to the arts.

“When I graduated from high school, I had no intention of attending �� Boulder,” recalls Thomas, reflecting on her journey. “But my piano teacher was insistent—and in the end, it felt like a conspiracy between my parents and him to get me here. Looking back, they were right.”

Thomas—who established a distinguished career as a pianist and educator—spent decades shaping the next generation of musicians. “Teaching was never just a job, it was my calling,” she says. “Seeing students grow, challenge themselves and find their voices as musicians has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

Beyond teaching, Thomas is a passionate advocate for the arts, having served on numerous local, state and national boards, commissions and committees—including the College of Music Advisory Board and the �� National Alumni Board Association. “Music connects us in ways words cannot,” she observes. “It brings communities together and that’s why I’ve always believed in supporting the arts at every level.”

Looking back on her College of Music experience, Thomas credits her professors with igniting her confidence and shaping her career. “I was very fortunate to have wonderful teachers,” she shares. “My first two years, I studied with [the late] Storm Bull who was not only an excellent teacher, but who also made me feel secure and supported.”

Thomas also speaks fondly of her later studies with the late Paul Parmelee: “He was a fantastic pianist and preparing for our lessons was something I truly looked forward to—we had the most wonderful discussions about music and piano. I admired him and he played a significant role in shaping my career.”

She adds, “My life was practically transformed at �� Boulder. I learned to be self-confident and I experienced success in the College of Music that I carried with me throughout my professional career.”

As a student, Thomas was the recipient of the Theodore Pressler Piano Performance Award and represented our College of Music at its NASM Evaluation/Accreditation student concert.

She also cherished the natural beauty of the campus. “Coming from Houston, I was so taken by the mountains—the beauty of the campus. I still think that it’s one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.”

Beyond her personal experiences, Thomas supports the College of Music’s universal musician approach that aims to equip students with a flexible skill set to navigate broadly-based careers. “I think it’s very important and I’m impressed with the curricula, programs and all of the opportunities that students have now to help them become well-rounded artists in today’s society,” she says. “The arts can play such an important role in service to mankind. I applaud the College of Music administration for adapting to students’ needs, providing more options for them to be creative and responsive to today’s world.”

Noting the evolving role of education and advocacy in today’s cultural landscape, Thomas adds: “More people are beginning to appreciate the arts as essential to our humanity and how we relate to each other. From attending concerts and visiting museums to attending lectures, listening to poetry or even joining a book club—all of these experiences shape our perspectives on society.

“It’s encouraging to see so many patrons supporting the arts. Their dedication makes a difference, and it reassures me that the arts will continue to thrive and impact future generations.”

Although retired from her role as professor of music and associate dean at Texas Southern University, Thomas remains active as an arts advocate and mentor to young musicians. She offers this advice to our graduates: “Follow your passion and pursue what you love with determination. Use the knowledge and positive experiences you’ve gained here to go out into the world, make it a better place and support others—because now, more than ever, we need that.”

Congratulations on your well-earned distinction, Fennoyee Thomas!

The University of Colorado Boulder College of Music is pleased to announce that triple alumna Fennoyee Thomas has been named our 2025 Distinguished Alumna, honoring her lifelong contributions to the arts. Thomas credits the College of Music with igniting her confidence and shaping her career as she reflects on the mentorship of her former professors, the campus’ natural beauty, and the transformative experiences that inspired her dedication to music and education.

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Nathan George named 2025 Outstanding Graduating Senior

Mariefaith Lane — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 21:27:26 +0000

Nathan George named 2025 Outstanding Graduating Senior Mariefaith Lane Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:27

Adam Goldstein

Singing in a choir requires a delicate balance of skills.

One voice becomes part of a larger ensemble; one artist’s creative spirit thrives only through collaboration, teamwork and humility. It’s an art form that demands a fusion of individual talent and selflessness for the sake of the greater musical good.

For Nathan George (BME, choral)—who will graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Music on May 8 as our Outstanding Graduating Senior—the choir’s blend of creativity and community was always a draw. And the teachers who brought that dynamic were always an inspiration.

“I started choir in middle school. I loved performing with my friends and I think that was the main thing—the community of performance,” recalls George who grew up in the Broomfield/Thornton area, finding direction in the choir and the theatre that would ultimately steer his path to �� Boulder—thanks in part to influential teachers like Karen Stacks at Legacy High School.

“I felt empowered by a lot of my teachers and I wanted to do the same—provide students something they can enjoy, give them a way to gain confidence, learn intangibles, learn how to be a good person.”

George found a direct route to these aspirations when he was a high school senior looking over the College of Music’s course catalog for music education majors. The catalog described courses with targeted specialties and conveyed a pedagogical approach that fit George’s budding passion for music, theatre and—above all—education.

“Becoming a Music Teacher, Teaching Choral Music, Choral Literature—those classes stood out. I had never seen such specific classes geared toward choral education,” shares George.

While George will receive a music education degree with an emphasis in choral music and a minor in theatre, he’s quick to point out how his journey as a Music Buff opened his eyes to myriad facets of music education. He fully leveraged the College of Music’s wide-ranging programs and opportunities for engagement—from working with the �� Boulder Middle School Ensembles (MSE) program and Middle School Summer Music Academy (SMA) to his role as president of the �� Boulder chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), serving as a student ambassador for the College of Music since his sophomore year and participating in our Diverse Musicians’ Alliance (DiMA).

In addition to his time in the classroom with dedicated and invested faculty members like Associate Professor of Voice Andrew Garland and Associate Professor of Music Education Leila Heil, George’s involvement with these programs offered real-world, practical experiences. In the MSE and SMA programs, he conducted an orchestra and focused on violin/cello sectionals. Through NAfME, George served as choral representative; organized gratitude initiatives for faculty, staff and students; and even organized a fundraiser for University Hill Elementary School—an effort that generated $1,100 for new equipment for Kimberly Alspaugh-Humecky’s students. “I think that’s what I’m most proud of, getting to organize that fundraiser and make that difference,” he notes.

George also organized a holiday concert that featured musicians from �� Boulder and the broader community performing works by the late composer George Lynn which led to the opportunity to organize a performance for the St. Anthony North Holiday Gala.

Four years after first scanning the College of Music’s music education curriculum, George has completed an education that, in some ways, represents the complex, nuanced dynamics of a choir: His journey has been equal parts individual skill and community engagement. He’s shown a commitment to expanding his own artistic abilities, even as he’s worked for the benefit of the broader world around him—an achievement and an approach ideally suited to a teaching career.

Adds George: “I’m very grateful. It’s really an honor to be named Outstanding Senior—there are a lot of incredible, talented people here.”

[Editor's note: Both Nathan George and Leonard Eppich (BM, viola performance) maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout their academic careers at �� Boulder, earning Chancellor’s Recognition Awards this spring as graduating music students.]

Congratulations and best wishes to ALL our fantastic graduates in the Class of 2025!

For Nathan George—who will graduate from the �� Boulder College of Music on May 8 as our Outstanding Graduating Senior—“community of performance” drew him to prepare for a career in music education.

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Celebrate + aspire

Mariefaith Lane — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:59:06 +0000

Celebrate + aspire Mariefaith Lane Thu, 03/13/2025 - 09:59

John Davis

On March 2, the College of Music’s talented Opera Theater Singers once again delivered outstanding performances at our Eklund Opera Program gala at the Academy University Hill. We were honored to welcome Chancellor Schwartz for the first time at this annual fundraising event that aims to sustain and support the arts in our community. Pictured above (left to right): Andrew Todd, Assistant Dean for Advancement; Justin Schwartz, �� Boulder Chancellor; Leigh Holman, Eklund Opera Program Director; Paul + Kristina Eklund, naming donors of the Eklund Opera Program; and John Davis, College of Music Dean.

At the College of Music’s recent Eklund Opera gala, Chancellor Justin Schwartz described the magic of music as a hallmark of human connection; of a civilized society; and as its own kind of renewable energy.

More broadly, in the words of Ukrainian-born writer Joseph Conrad, “All creative art is magic, is evocation of the unseen in forms persuasive, enlightening, familiar and surprising, for the edification of mankind.”

As I reflect on the first months of 2025, I’m struck by the countless ways in which our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters embody these values. In these disorienting times, I’m heartened that our mission is more relevant than ever—as is my commitment to continue to celebrate and support our students and colleagues in their transformative work and artistic aspirations.

For example, I encourage you to discover how Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education Margaret Berg is creating sustainability through music education, ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating human and environmental sustainability into music education, the College of Music is preparing students to make an impact on our interconnected society. Related, two graduate students—Nicholas Felder and Ian Gunnarschja—received grants to support innovative projects that promote equity in music and wellness among neurodiverse musicians.

Creative courage and unique expression at our college are further personified by Enion Pelta-Tiller—a master’s candidate in jazz performance and pedagogy—whose ambitious, experimental approach to music brings together a wealth of coexisting influences and helped shape our new cross-genre ensembles and curricula. And, in case you missed it, our Distinguished Professor of Piano David Korevaar recently shared a delayed tribute to Beethoven’s semiquincentennial birthday—a labor of love and creative fortitude in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing five years ago.

Additionally, more than 100 guest artists, ensembles and lecturers have energized our classrooms and graced our stages so far this academic year—most recently including Kennedy Center honoree and five-time Grammy Award-winner Renée Fleming, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Diné composer, musician and sound installation artist Raven Chacon; as well as visiting scholars in our Musicology + Music Theory Colloquium Series and local luminaries like alumnus Gregory Walker—son of the late Helen Walker-Hill and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker—who presented a master class last week as part of our annual Persevering Legacy events showcasing works by women composers including those from historically marginalized groups. Also inspiring to our community this month was a musicians’ workshop led by Blues icon (and Boulder resident) Otis Taylor, a Colorado Music Hall of Famer.

For all these reasons among many more, I remain steadfast in our resolve to inspire artistry and discovery, together.

With gratitude,

John Davis
Dean, College of Music

"At the College of Music’s recent Eklund Opera gala, Chancellor Justin Schwartz described the magic of music as a hallmark of human connection; of a civilized society; and as its own kind of renewable energy. As I reflect on the first months of 2025, I’m struck by the countless ways in which our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters embody these values. In these disorienting times, I’m heartened that our mission is more relevant than ever—as is my commitment to continue to celebrate and support our students and colleagues in their transformative work and artistic aspirations."

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“Art is possibility, expression is potential.”

Mariefaith Lane — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:12:27 +0000

“Art is possibility, expression is potential.” Mariefaith Lane Tue, 02/18/2025 - 12:12

Adam Goldstein

“Art is possibility, expression is potential.”

That’s according to Raven Chacon, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Diné composer, musician and sound installation artist slated to deliver the �� Boulder College of Music’s annual Genevieve McVey Wisner lecture on Feb. 26. In his wide-ranging and ambitious oeuvre, Chacon—a member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico—has tackled themes ranging from colonization to displacement to questions of environmental stewardship and conservation.

The myriad media he’s chosen to explore these themes reflect a spirit of creative exploration. His Pulitzer Prize-winning work, “Voiceless Mass,” is an ensemble work composed specifically to be performed in any space of worship with high ceilings and pipe organ. “Sound Ladder” is a sound installation—debuted in 2024—that features a sequence of 16 pine planks hung from ceiling to floor; for this work, Chacon collaborated with members of the Bål Nango family, a Sámi family of reindeer herders and land guardians.

Chacon has built instruments and explored new ways to present sound. He’s paired his compositions with visual cues and physical components, and drawn upon the very land surrounding his compositions to convey his messages.

“I think art is there to show that we can all think in different ways, we can all dream in ways we didn’t know we could,” Chacon explains. “We’re in danger when we become narrow and exclude possibilities.” That philosophy is part of the lure of Chacon’s upcoming visit to Boulder. Working firsthand with students and offering novel perspectives about the possibilities of self-expression reconnects the artist to his own commitment to learning and growth; the chance to explore his work and style with developing musicians and artists holds its own unique appeal.

“Part of my interest in giving lectures and visiting universities is to share my work and offer music students insights into ways that music doesn’t have to be on the stage,” Chacon says, also reflecting the College of Music’s universal musician approach to achieving our mission. “It can be presented in different media—performance art, sound sculpture, as film or video. I am really interested in sharing my different tactics with students.”

The concept of place plays a large role in Chacon’s work and one of the pieces he’ll detail in his lecture is located in the United Arab Emirates in a “ghost village” that was originally assigned to a tribe of nomads by the government. “Being that they’re nomadic people, they did not move in. These houses are being taken by the desert,” Chacon explains.

“I’ve collaborated with these individuals and musicians to record their songs,” he adds, noting that the ultimate effect of the installation is that “it sounds like their music is moving through these houses and into the desert.”

It’s an immediacy that Chacon stresses in his approach to music. While he’s a classically trained composer and musician, he’s careful not to undervalue the importance of the indefinable elements of the art form—the aspects of music that can’t necessarily be conveyed in a classroom, studio or textbook.

“I do feel like I’m continually learning,” says Chacon . I’m always seeking out the best media that an artwork should take. I’m constantly researching new technologies—experiencing exhibitions, artists and concerts.

“I’m still a big fan of being able to see musicians play, even more so than listening to recordings. I think live music is not only an obligation or responsibility, but it’s something that is wonderful to do, as a member of an audience.”

Even as he tackles weighty questions in his work, Chacon also finds power and joy in the ability to create—a boon he looks forward to sharing during his residency. “No matter what our occupation or how we spend our daily lives, we should be conscious of the work we can do to improve upon justice and the way we treat each other.”
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Join us for the College of Music’s annual Genevieve McVey Wisner Lectureship* featuring Raven Chacon on Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m., Chamber Hall (S102), Imig Music Building. On Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m., Room NB185, Imig Music Building, Chacon will be part of a panel discussion, “Situating your soul’s work in a hegemonic sphere.” Both events are free and open to the public.

Raven Chacon’s residency is made possible by the �� Boulder American Music Research Center, the College of Music’s composition department and the college’s Diverse Musicians’ Alliance.

*Having graduated from Western University in Kansas—an historically Black college—with her first bachelor’s degree in 1922, Genevieve McVey Wisner became the first Black graduate of the College of Music in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in music education, followed by a master’s degree in 1944 at age 42.

On Feb. 26 and 27, the College of Music’s annual Genevieve McVey Wisner Lectureship will feature trailblazing composer, musician and sound installation artist Raven Chacon. Even as he tackles weighty questions in his work, Chacon also finds power and joy in the ability to create—a boon he looks forward to sharing during his residency. “No matter what our occupation or how we spend our daily lives, we should be conscious of the work we can do to improve upon justice and the way we treat each other,” says Chacon, the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.

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Creating sustainability through music education

Mariefaith Lane — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:29:50 +0000

Creating sustainability through music education Mariefaith Lane Wed, 02/12/2025 - 10:29

MarieFaith Lane

The University of Colorado Boulder is widely recognized for its commitment to sustainability—most often associated with protecting the environment. At the College of Music, that definition extends further.

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education Margaret Berg highlights the importance of human sustainability—that is, the well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating both human and environmental sustainability into music education, our college is helping students develop into responsible, thoughtful professionals who are prepared to make an impact on our interconnected society.

“Human sustainability is about more than just resources,” Berg explains. “It’s about the self—students and teachers—the community around the school or studio, and the larger systems like colleges or universities.” This multifaceted approach emphasizes the significance of emotional resilience, community building and cultural inclusivity in shaping the future of music education.

Berg’s Sociology of Music Education course amplifies the College of Music’s unique focus on preparing students for roles beyond music performance; the college’s universal musician approach to achieving its mission encourages interdisciplinary learning and broadly-based student development. “A teacher taking a more holistic approach will make a difference,” says Berg, emphasizing the value of connecting music education with sustainability in the classroom and beyond.

Aligned with �� Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz’s priority to accelerate sustainability on our campus, human sustainability in music education complements the College of Music’s progress toward reducing its environmental impact—from “green” digital program books, energy-efficient LED lighting in Grusin Music Hall and music tablets that replace paper scores. Additionally, the use of braille building placards and other accessibility measures reflects the college’s commitment to inclusivity in all forms.

Integrating human and environmental sustainability equips students with the knowledge, skills and awareness to engage with both their immediate communities and the planet. In the classroom, Berg advocates for experiential learning practices that promote ecological literacy and environmental activism. For example, music educators can encourage students to engage with local sounds and landscapes, fostering an awareness of the natural world and its challenges. “We can integrate local ecosystems into the repertoire selection process,” Berg suggests, noting that Colorado’s mountains or water issues might inspire student projects.

Berg further emphasizes the significance of core reflection which encourages educators and students to assess their well-being and resilience. “It has to start with the human,” she says. That is, to sustain both the work and the community, we must take care of individuals first—teachers and students alike. Core reflection allows teachers to identify their strengths and recognize the need to care for their own mental and emotional health to avoid burnout. In this way, self-care becomes foundational to sustaining long-term success in educational settings.

Adds Berg, “Nature is constantly creating and evolving, and engaging with the arts is a creative act that empowers both students and teachers to respond to the challenges of climate change, for example, in productive and meaningful ways. This is invaluable, as it engages their hearts and fosters powerful, thoughtful responses.

“It’s a profoundly healthy way to navigate such challenges.”

Related resources

Berg, M. H. (2023): Fostering care through core reflection.
Shevock, D. J., & Bates, V. C. (2019): A Music Educator’s Guide to Saving the Planet.
Smith, T. D. (2023): Caring with the Earth, community, and co-learners for the health of biological, social, and musical ecosystems.

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education Margaret Berg highlights the importance of human sustainability—that is, the well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating both human and environmental sustainability into music education, the College of Music is preparing students to make an impact on our interconnected society.

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Outstanding winter 2024 undergraduate: Clarrisse Bosman

Mariefaith Lane — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Outstanding winter 2024 undergraduate: Clarrisse Bosman Mariefaith Lane Fri, 12/13/2024 - 01:00

Adam Goldstein

Photo credit: Hao Zhou

A complaint about high frequencies would prove fateful for Clarrisse Bosman and her future path as a musician and educator.

Bosman, who will graduate from �� Boulder’s College of Music this winter with bachelor’s degrees in both bassoon performance and instrumental music education, recalls the moment that led her to the largest instrument in any typical orchestra.

“I started playing music on the flute. I was practicing one day, and my mother couldn’t stand the high register,” says Bosman, adding that she was asked to find some other musical means to express herself. She obliged, opting for an instrument at the other end of the register in terms of pitch and size. “I said, ‘Okay, I’ll pick the largest instrument that I can get my hands on.”

Bosman, who’s apt to chuckle as she points out that she’s a 5-foot-2 musician playing an instrument that normally measures about 4-foot-5, quickly made an immediate and profound connection to the bassoon—one that helped steer her course through Cherry Creek High School in Englewood and then at �� Boulder.

“I fell in love with it. It’s so unique. It literally stands out among the orchestra,” Bosman continues. “I knew that I wanted to pursue music and especially music education. I’ve always had a passion for music education and teaching people.”

The decision to build on the musical foundations she built in high school at �� Boulder boiled down largely to faculty, she says. When it came to finding a mentor that could offer her direction—both in terms of her own performance and her ability to inspire others—she found a perfect fit in Yoshiyuki Ishikawa, professor of bassoon.

“For me, music and where I chose to study depended on the professor,” she reiterates. “�� Boulder has set me up for success in the teaching world. I’m grateful to have had such great mentors in the College of Music.”

Specifically, our program offered Bosman the chance to come into her own as a soloist, even as it provided opportunities to build real-world teaching experiences in classrooms across the Denver metro area, including a stint at Campus Middle School, literally next door to her former high school. Along with student teaching and practicums at Sunset Middle School, Horizon High School and other institutions, these experiences helped Bosman develop her own teaching style.

“I have a diverse teaching portfolio—I’ve taught concert band, jazz band and orchestra as well as mariachi ensemble. Usually students choose to only student teach in one area, but it’s been fun to have the opportunity to specialize in different areas,” she says. “Nothing prepares you like putting it into practice. �� Boulder provides rigorous challenges and puts us into actual classrooms.”

Bosman developed her teaching experience as she found opportunities to perform for audiences. One of her most memorable concerts came in the midst of a crisis, she says.

“My apartment caught on fire the night before my senior recital,” she remembers, crediting �� Boulder’s Basic Needs Center for providing assistance in the face of the emergency. “I grabbed my concert heels, my dress and a few belongings and woke up the next day like nothing happened. I had to put on my senior recital. It’s the concert that stands out the most,” she adds, noting that her bassoon was safe in her locker at school and that the performance ultimately turned out successful.

Bosman, who balanced several different interests and passions in high school, found the same equilibrium at �� Boulder. Even as she honed her skills as a musician and teacher, she served as the �� Boulder Ice Skating Club president, coached members of the Ice Skating Club and participated in several on-campus programs. She notes that �� Boulder provides incredible opportunities and support programs, especially through the Center for Inclusion and Social Change which was instrumental as a first-generation student and the first college graduate in her family.

Bosman dedicated herself to finding a well-rounded existence at �� Boulder—just as she pursued dual degrees that align with the college’s universal musician approach which aims to develop multiskilled artists who are equipped to make a difference in our world as broadly-based professionals.

That dynamic will remain with Bosman as she preps for her next steps. She knows she loves teaching, particularly at the middle school level; and she knows no matter where she travels, her passion for music and teaching will follow.

“I have plans to be a substitute teacher for music until more full-time positions open up and I’m exploring coaching opportunities in the figure skating world,” she notes. “I’m also a traveling spirit and I would be open to something a little more tropical if it ever arises. (But) I do keep music at my heart.”

The University of Colorado Boulder’s winter 2024 degree conferral is Dec. 19. To all our inspiring, accomplished graduates, CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the Forever Buffs family—we hope you’ll join us for our spring 2025 recognition ceremony!

Meet Clarrisse Bosman who graduates this month with bachelor’s degrees in both bassoon performance and instrumental music education!

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Joshua Russell named 2024 Distinguished Alumnus

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Joshua Russell named 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/24/2024 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

The University of Colorado Boulder College of Music is thrilled to announce esteemed music educator Joshua Russell (PhD ’07) as the recipient of our 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award!

Russell currently serves as professor of music education at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music ed and string pedagogy, and directs the Hartt String Project.

With degrees from Indiana, Shepherd and Northwestern universities—before earning a doctorate at our College of Music—Russell exemplifies what it means to be a universal musician: Beyond his earned expertise in classical, jazz and contemporary musical styles, his research interests include musician health, teacher education, string education and psycho-social/cognitive development in musical learning and teaching.

Reflecting on his College of Music experience, Russell recalls the significant impact of his mentors and peers in shaping his career trajectory: “I was lucky to have some great opportunities to work with professors of music education Jim Austin and Margaret Berg—and halfway through my time, Associate Professor of Music Education Martina Miranda came to Colorado. The faculty were amazing to me.”

He adds, “My fellow students also contributed to my positive experience at the College of Music—I’m still great friends with many of them. People make an institution and they taught me the value of being able to ‘fail’ and still be treated with dignity and kindness.”

Russell further emphasizes the importance of resilience as instilled by his mentors and colleagues, calling it “approximations of success”—that is, pursuing incremental goals that ultimately lead to a larger goal. “Say you have an end goal of playing a beautiful concerto,” he explains. “Before you achieve that, you need to be able to produce a good tone. After that, you need to have the finger facility.

“Jim Austin taught me the importance of mastery motivation theory, which I’ve applied to my career … and continue to teach my students.”

Discovering mentors can be challenging, but Russell shares his approach: “Seek out somebody who does the kind of work that you want to do, and who does it in a way that you appreciate and respect.

“For me, kindness is paramount. I’ve found that some of the most amazing performers or brilliant scholars I’ve encountered are also some of the nicest, kindest human beings.”

Universal musicianship
In a field where specialization may seem the epitome of success, Russell’s success proves that being versatile and flexible is both professionally advantageous and personally fulfilling.

“The world needs universal musicians,” he says. “Professionally—for performers, teachers, scholars—that means thinking broadly when you set goals for yourself. As one of my mentors said, ‘If you’re overly focused on one goal, you’re going to miss all the shiny stuff on the side … and there’s a lot of shiny stuff off to the side.”

Russell further believes that understanding one’s motivations is crucial to musical fulfillment: “Be aware of the underlying reasons for what you’re doing,” he advises.

He’s also observed a shift toward prioritizing service to others over musical outcomes—which he views with optimism. “What I love about this generation of musicians and scholars is that their approach to music is more ‘humanistic’—whereas we used to be more focused on student achievement and process. I think both worldviews are valuable and important for music educators and scholars today.”

Prior to his roles at the University of Hartford, Russell taught here at �� Boulder, as well as instrumental music (orchestra and guitar) and general music (grades 4-12) in Colorado and northern Virginia. He also taught at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, conducted several youth symphonies, and was the founding director of the Loudoun County String Orchestra and after-school program.

Russell currently serves on several editorial boards and—in addition to authoring Statistics in Music Education (Oxford University Press)—his research articles have been widely published. He often presents his research throughout the United States and abroad.

Congratulations on your well-earned distinction, Joshua Russell!

At the College of Music’s commencement ceremony on May 9, we’ll welcome esteemed music educator Joshua Russell back to campus—and present him the College of Music’s 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award!

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College of Music mourns passing of alumnus Ben Pollack

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 07:00:00 +0000

College of Music mourns passing of alumnus Ben Pollack Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 01/24/2024 - 00:00

Sabine Kortals Stein

The �� Boulder College of Music community mourns the loss of alumnus Ben Pollack (BME ’14) who unexpectedly passed away of natural causes on Dec. 14, 2023, in his home near Denver, Colorado. He was 31.

“While I am deeply saddened by the news of Ben’s passing, I fondly remember his passion for music and his love for teaching,” says Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies + Enrollment Management and Associate Professor of Conducting + Music Education Matthew Roeder.

“Ben’s dedication to music students and music education was recognized by his being named the Colorado Music Educators Association’s Young Teacher of the Year in 2019. His commitment to his students was rightly acknowledged early on in his teaching career by being honored as the first-ever recipient of this award.”

“Teaching music is the most important thing I do,” said Pollack five years ago in an interview celebrating his CMEA award. “It has to matter every day.”

Pollack was the recipient of a full out-of-state tuition scholarship from the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. As an undergrad, he was principal chair of the �� Boulder Symphonic Band euphonium section and tuba/euphonium ensemble. Pollack was also a member of our Golden Buffalo Marching Band and the �� Buffoons, one of the state’s premiere a cappella groups.

“Suffering the loss of a student—current or former—is in many ways akin to losing a child,” reflects Associate Professor of Tuba + Euphonium Michael Dunn with whom Pollack studied. “When I heard about Ben’s passing, my first reaction was shock followed closely by gratitude—he was by all measures an extraordinary student.

“Ben was truly born to teach. Our lessons often revolved around how to deliver a view of the ‘bigger picture’ to students. He wanted his students to have a sense of their place in the world and for each of them to understand that they are capable of changing the world for the better. Ben happened to use music as his vehicle to deliver this message.”

Pollack continued his pursuit of excellence by earning a master’s degree in music education from the Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, where he was principal chair of the IU Concert Band euphonium section.

As a band and choral music educator with a track record of success, Pollack sought to influence large-scale changes in education through music and community. Upon graduating from our College of Music, Pollack taught choir music at Carmel Middle School in Colorado Springs and later embraced the challenge of building up a music program in Walsenburg, Colorado, leaving an indelible mark on the students and community whose lives he touched and transformed. Last summer, he began a new chapter teaching instrumental music at Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colorado.

“We in the College of Music’s tuba and euphonium studio are grateful to have had Ben in our fold and know his star will continue to burn brightly,” says Dunn.

Benjamin Michael Pollack obituary (Legacy.com)

The �� Boulder College of Music community mourns the recent passing of alumnus Ben Pollack (BME ’14). As a band and choral music educator with a track record of success, Pollack sought to influence large-scale changes in education through music and community.

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Celebrating winter graduates: Ashley Civelli

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Celebrating winter graduates: Ashley Civelli Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/13/2023 - 00:00

Adam Goldstein

The fields of music and education are closely intertwined for transfer student Ashley Civelli.

Like any other musician, Civelli finds a very personal kind of magic in performing. As a clarinet player, Civelli depends on the instrument for inspiration. But she doesn’t operate in a musical vacuum.

Soon after Civelli began connecting with music and performance on a personal level, she knew she wanted to share the experience with others.

“I’ve known I wanted to teach music since I was in 7th or 8th grade,” recalls Civelli, who graduates from the �� Boulder College of Music this month with a bachelor’s in music education (instrumental band emphasis). “It’s always been something that’s been there.”

The dual drive to play and to teach is part of what brought Civelli from Connecticut, where she completed the first two years of her college career, to �� Boulder—a place she felt had more to offer in terms of her professional and personal ambitions. Transferring to the College of Music halfway through her undergraduate studies boiled down to a “gut feeling,” she recalls, a sense that Boulder was the right place to refine her skills.

Two years later, that intuitive leap to a new learning environment has proved invaluable. “I don’t think I really knew what was in store for me while I was transferring. I saw opportunities as they came up and I discovered more than I thought I would,” Civelli says, crediting her professors, TAs and fellow students with helping her find new dimensions to her playing and teaching. “I’m a far better clarinet player than I ever thought I could have been, and a far better teacher as well.”

True to the college’s mission to develop multiskilled, multifaceted universal musicians, Civelli found opportunities in both realms. Between playing high-profile performances with concert ensembles and coaching high school marching band students, Civelli’s time in Colorado has deepened her firsthand experience as both a musician and an educator, roles that are equally important as she looks beyond graduation.

“One of my strong beliefs in music education is that I am developing lifelong lovers of music,” Civelli says. “Whether they end up becoming professional musicians or not, at the end of the day they will be consuming music for the rest of their lives. Having the ability to explain why they like or do not like a song they hear, or why a guitar riff is really neat, is important.”

Congratulations to Ashley and all our winter grads!

Clarinetist Ashley Civelli doesn’t operate in a musical vacuum. Her College of Music education has deepened her firsthand experience as both a musician and an educator, roles that are equally important as she looks beyond graduation.

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Alumnus Dylan Fixmer—composer with a cause

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Alumnus Dylan Fixmer—composer with a cause Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/29/2023 - 00:00

Marc Shulgold

Not one to mince words, College of Music alumnus Dylan Fixmer gets right to the point: “I want music to have a purpose,” he says. But finding his purpose didn’t come right away.

Fixmer earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2010 and went straight into teaching. Which was fine. Still, he admits, “I’d been composing my whole life. I was always noodling on some sort of piece.

“Five years ago, my mom showed my wife [alumna Sarah Off] and me a song I’d written many years ago. I guess I’ve always been a composer.”

But first things first: With an undergrad diploma from �� Boulder in hand, he spent a decade teaching in small Colorado towns such as Hotchkiss and Rifle, also serving as a counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies. Along the way, he earned a master’s in music education from Indiana University. Truth be told, Fixmer got his biggest kick out of time spent in Hotchkiss, population 875.

“I put together a little 8^th-grade jazz band,” he reminisces, somehow managing to keep a straight face as he listed the instrumentation: “We had two tubas, a bass clarinet and drums. I played piano and there were some other instruments. But the best part was, they played my compositions.”

Are we starting to see a pattern here? Fixmer, 35, recalls that, yes, while pursuing his degree at our College of Music, he studied composition and theory with noted Professor of Composition Carter Pann. Even as he pursued his graduate degree in music education and found work in the classroom, life as a composer continued to beckon. “I was always going through textbooks on composing,” says Fixmer, exemplifying the college’s universal musician mission. “I wanted to expand my vocabulary.”

And so it came to pass, in a big and meaningful way. Fixmer not only found life as a composer, but he found a way of writing music with a purpose. “I’m not sure I’d ever want to write a piece of absolute music,” he admits, referring to a composition that is simply a collection of melodies with no storyline or subtext. Instead, Fixmer creates for a reason.

Consider his Violin Concerto, premiered by the Greeley Philharmonic in September 2022—in partnership with the Greeley Family House and other homelessness assistance organizations to increase support for the unhoused. This work has such an extraordinary backstory that it deserves a movie treatment. Off performed the premiere on an instrument once owned by Terri Sternberg—an accomplished musician who had fallen on hard times, became homeless and died in 2013. Learning her story propelled Fixmer to create a heartfelt concerto that generated critical raves, a radio broadcast on Colorado Public Radio and eventually helped bring attention to the cause of homelessness as far away as London and Paris.

His deep concern about people goes beyond writing a thoughtful piece of music, he stresses. “In Greeley, I’m on a homelessness task force. That’s part of my desire in identifying topics to write about—ones that focus on human connections.”

Those connections now include some of Fixmer’s neighbors in Northern Colorado. Recently, another of his orchestral works was premiered by the Greeley Philharmonic where he now serves as composer-in-residence and where he’s created an impactful education outreach program. His “Seven Symphonic Portraits: A Weld County Reflection”—commissioned by the Greeley Philharmonic and the Weld Community Foundation—was unveiled in October at the Union Colony Civic Center. “It’s for the people of Weld County,” he says, “to describe the experience of living here, of what brings people to this county.”

There’s not enough space to cover all that the JW Pepper Editor’s Choice Award recipient has to offer. No space to discuss his children’s Spanish-language opera, “Clara y los Cuarto Caminos” (“Clara and the Four Ways”). Nor to get around to his side career in a guitar-fiddle duo with his wife, appearing at folk festivals playing bluegrass and traditional foot-tapping Irish tunes. No time to write about a commissioned work aimed at increasing interest in mental illness.

Once again, Fixmer—with recent commissions and premieres under his belt from UC Health, Opera Guanajuato and the Crested Butte Music Festival, among others—doesn’t mince words. “I don’t want to be typecast,” he says.

Alumnus Dylan Fixmer’s variegated and prolific career aims to inspire empathy and advance community engagement.

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