Alumni Notes

Nancy Yunhwa Rao (MM ’89, voice and music theory; PhD ’94, music theory) is a Distinguished Professor of Music at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, and currently editor-in-chief of the journal American Music. The 2024 SMTD Alumni Awards honored Rao with the Professional Achievement in Music Award.

A composition by pianist, composer, and arranger Nicole DiPaolo (BM ’08, music theory) was published by EVC Music. Her Nocturne in G# minor, written to prepare late-intermediate pianists for the challenges of Chopin’s music, was included in the volume 22 Nocturnes for Chopin, which features the work of 22 women composers chosen through a worldwide call for scores.

Anna Rose Nelson (PhD ’23, music theory) defended her dissertation, “Fragments, Miniatures & Microludes: Analyzing the Modernist Aphoristic Aesthetic,” in August 2023 and was awarded her PhD in music theory. In fall 2023, Nelson started a new position in the theory/composition division at the University of Maryland.

In fall 2023, the US Coast Guard Band premiered Spring Rain, a recent composition for harp and wind ensemble by Stephen Gryc (BM ’71, music education; MM ’78, theory, composition; DMA ’83, composition). The band recorded both Spring Rain and Gryc’s work for woodwind octet, Rossiniana, in early 2024 for an online and CD release.

John Fluker (BM ’84, music theory) performed with the San Francisco Opera Chorus in the 2023 production of the Pulitzer Prize–winning opera Omar.

Morton Achter (BM ’61, MM ’63, music theory; PhD ’72, musicology) directed a production of Noel Coward’s comedy Private Lives in March 2023 in Bath, Maine. He also serves on the board of directors and teaches music-related courses for Midcoast Senior College and delivers pre-opera talks at the Lincoln Theater for the Metropolitan Opera’s Saturday HD broadcasts.

Felicia Sandler (PhD ’01, music composition & theory) is developing a critical edition of the collected works of Ephraim Amu (1899–1995). Amu is recognized as the “Father of Ghanaian Art Music,” and as such is a national treasure in that country. The first volume is complete and available for purchase.

Sameer Patel (BM ’04, conducting, music theory; MM ’07, conducting) was named Musical America’s New Artist of the Month for April 2023. This followed winter and spring performances where he conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and the La Jolla Symphony.