Allison Young

DECEMBER 9, 2025 | Congratulations to baritone saxophonist and woodwind doubler Allison Young, chosen as one of five winners of the Jazz Education Network’s 2026 Sisters in Jazz Competition. In January, Allison will attend the 17th annual JEN Conference in New Orleans where she will rehearse and perform with the selected quintet, directed by world-renowned…

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Joe Osterstock

Congratulations to media composition graduate student Joe Osterstock, who has been recognized in the 2025 American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) competition. His piece Aria for piano trio earned second place in the Pat Williams Composing and Arranging division, along with a $500 prize. Joe is currently studying at the Eastman School of Music’s…

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Alex Gagne and Austin Shilling

Congratulations to Eastman School of Music students Alex Gagne and Austin Shilling for being top prize winners of the 2025 Nico Toscano Young Musician Competition, placing first in separate divisions. Each was awarded a cash prize of $400 and the opportunity to perform with the Cordancia Chamber Orchestra in 2026. A first-year student from the…

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Isaac Moorman ’24E (MM)

Congratulations to Eastman DMA candidate and cellist Isaac Moorman ’24E (MM) for winning the Jack Heller Young Artist Competition in Tampa, Florida, with pianist and fellow DMA candidate Veniamin Blokh accompanying. As winner of the competition, he will receive a cash prize of $3000 and will be the featured soloist in 3 performances with the…

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Alexander Little

OCTOBER 28, 2025 | Congratulations to DMA and Artists’ Certificate student Alexander Little for winning first place at the prestigious Albert Schweitzer International Organ Competition in Saarbrucken, Germany earlier this month, taking home a grand prize award of 15,000 euros.  APRIL 15, 2025 | Alexander won first place and the “audience prize” at this year’s…

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Andrew Johnson

Congratulations to Eastman DMA candidate Andrew Johnson for recently winning the Alaska Pipe Organ Composition Competition, organized by Sitka Lutheran Church in Sitka, Alaska. Students from high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide submitted their works with specified criteria that entries must incorporate the melody Finlandia, by Jean Sibelius. Andrew’s composition, Fantasy on FINLANDIA, was awarded…

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Eastman’s Composition Department Celebrates Faculty Appointments

Congratulations to alumni and students of the Eastman School of Music’s Composition Department on their appointments to prominent tenure-track positions beginning this academic year: Nicolas Chuaqui ’21E (DMA) has been appointed Assistant Professor of Composition and Electronic Music at Ithaca College where he also serves as Director of their Electroacoustic Studios. A dedicated teacher and committed…

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Nathanael Kumar and Logan Wadley ’23E, ’25E (MM)

Congratulations to Eastman School of Music students Nathanael Kumar and Logan Wadley ’23E, ’25E (MM) for competing earlier this month (August) in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival in Twin Lake Michigan, the country’s only annual solo competition for tuba and euphonium. Both advanced to the semifinal round after a preliminary adjudication of recorded…

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Timothy Coene ’25E (MM)

Congratulations to recent Eastman graduate Timothy Coene ’25E (MM) for winning the Tenor Saxophone position in the West Point Band, the United States Army’s oldest, active-duty band, officially established in 1817 on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. He will be enlisting in August 2025. Timothy earned his Master…

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