Congratulations to fourth-year Eastman student Helen Freeman for winning the Principal Flute position with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. She will begin her appointment in September, performing with both the orchestra and their wind quartet. In addition to performing extensively with Eastman’s large instrumental ensembles, Helen has played numerous solo recitals and appeared with her…
Congratulations to Xinyue Scarlett Zheng ’23E, ’25E (MM) and Xinyi Zeng ’22E, teaching assistants for Class Piano Program Coordinator Tony Caramia, who participated at the MTNA National Conference in Chicago, IL, on March 23, 2026. Their presentation, titled “How We Utilize Technology at Eastman to Improve the Class Piano Experience,” demonstrated innovative teaching strategies and technology-assisted approaches…
Congratulations to Eastman first-year PhD Theory student Brena Zhao for winning the 2026 Presser Graduate Music Award. This prestigious honor supports exceptional graduate music students with the potential to make distinguished contribution to the field and includes a substantial grant from the Presser Foundation for a professional-development project. Zhao will conduct in situ study of gamelan music in Bali, resulting…
APRIL 14, 2026 | Congratulations to Eastman PhD Musicology candidate Paul David Flood on his appointment as Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Tennessee’s Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. His tenure-track begins in fall 2026. JANUARY 23, 2025 | Paul David Flood was the 2024 winner of the Presser Graduate Music Award,…
The ASCAP Foundation has announced the 2026 recipients of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, with works selected by a panel of ASCAP composer members for their significance, artistry, and compositional elements. This year’s winners include Eastman Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media students Sam Chandler and Israel (Izzy) Stone, along with alumni Rafael Enciso…
Congratulations to Eastman piano student Jianyi Gu for being awarded First Prize in the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition last month. In addition to a cash prize, she will be a featured soloist, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, with the orchestra during its 2026-2027 concert season. Jianyi is a candidate…
Congratulations to organist James Jeffrey for recently winning First Prize in the National Undergraduate Organ Competition, held in Ottumwa, IA. He received a $3,500 award as well as the $500 audience prize. James is an Organ Performance major at Eastman, where he studies with Professor David Higgs.
Congratulations to DMA piano student Steven Dong for winning First Prize at the Lewisville Lake Symphony International Piano Competition, held last month at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. In addition to a $2,000 cash prize, he will perform Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 1 with the Lewisville Lake Symphony on October 9, 2026, as part…
APRIL 8, 2026 | Congratulations to Jerome Bell, a PhD candidate in Music Theory, on his appointment as Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he previously served as a guest lecturer. APRIL 24, 2025 | Jerome was named a recipient of the Ball Dissertation Fellowship, awarded to only two…