DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS GRADUATES
Congratulations to our Spring 2020 Doctor of Musical Arts Graduates:
Sarah Balzer
D.M.A. in Oboe
Written by Mark Hill:
It was wonderful to welcome Sarah back to her undergraduate alma mater. Her tackling of challenging repertoire, mastering the technical obstacles with grace, and continuous artistic growth are inspiring to us all. Her dissertation project exploring underexposed oboe quartet repertoire will surely make an important contribution to our field.
John Duncan Boatright
D.M.A. in Composition
Written by Thomas DeLio:
Duncan Boatright is an exceptionally gifted composer who, with great skill, has explored uncharted territories of our musical experience. He strives to make music that is emotionally, intellectually and aesthetically challenging and seeks new experiences for himself and for us. We are privileged to be the beneficiaries of his creative gifts.
Lydia Rose Consilvio
D.M.A. in Oboe
Written by Mark Hill:
Lydia’s contributions in the Fellowship Quintet, Wavelength, helped the group reach a diverse audience. Each solo recital showed virtuosic command of widely disparate repertoire. I believe her dissertation, a brilliant arrangement and recording of three Bach keyboard partitas for double reed quartet, will be quickly adopted into the repertoire.
Amanda Karen Dusold
D.M.A. in Oboe
Written by Mark Hill:
Already professionally active as a performer and teacher when she began her D.M.A., I have seen Amanda become even more proficient and expressive as an artist, and I have admired her abilities as a pedagogue of young students. Her dissertation research on the influence of British female oboists was outstanding, both academically and musically.
Juliana Franco Nunes
D.M.A. in Voice Pedagogy
Written by Martha Randall:
Juliana Franco would like to teach the world to sing—Brazilian Portuguese! Her passion for the songs of Brazil culminated in a dissertation that will enable singers to perform this beautiful repertoire. She is a combination of elegance, grace, intelligence, and determination. Brava for your D.M.A., and affectionate best wishes for a great future.
Natalie Groom
D.M.A. in Clarinet
Written by Robert DiLutis:
Natalie has been my most driven and dedicated student. Her love of music, community and all things artistic have been the driving force for her at UMD. As a Fellowship Woodwind Quintet member, Community Engagement Office GA and as the current Artist in Residence at Collington, she has successfully connected the university with the DMV community.
Kathryn Elise Hylton
D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
Written by Edward Maclary:
Katy Hylton has distinguished herself as a conductor, teacher, scholar, and performer at UMD. Her energy, collegiality, and attention to detail make her an ideal college teacher and will serve her well in her new position on the choral faculty at Penn State University this fall. Your new students will be so lucky to have you! Congratulations Katy!
Amyr Joyner
D.M.A. in Violin
Written by David Salness:
Amyr Joyner makes a powerful point without a hint of bluster. His generous, kind spirit makes for willing listeners, whether through his virtuoso violin playing or when advocating for historically under-represented constituencies in music. Dr. Joyner has inspired his peers, leading initiatives that promote social justice in our profession.
Laura Kaufman Mowry
D.M.A. in Flute
Written by Sarah Frisof:
Laura, while I only had the chance to work with you at the end of your program, I was impressed with how well you balanced a rigorous D.M.A. program with starting a family. Your thesis on preluding inspired the entire studio, and we look forward to seeing what happens for you in the future!
Christopher Elliot Koelzer
D.M.A. in Collaborative Piano
Written by Rita Sloan:
Chris Koelzer's last D.M.A. recital of two-piano transcriptions of Brahms and Stravinsky was dazzling world-class playing, equal to his 1st D.M.A. recital. His dissertation has capped off his remarkable time at UMD. From opera, chamber music and solo piano, Chris was never less than excellent. Already in great demand, I know success awaits him!
Rok Palcic
D.M.A. in Piano
Written by Larissa Dedova:
I enjoyed very much working and sharing musical ideas with you, Rok!
Your dissertation recording of the rarely played and not well-known piano music of Mel Bonis is just of the highest quality! Really proud of you, brilliant work! Congratulations on your graduation, Dr. Palcic!
Jennifer Piazza-Pick
D.M.A. in Solo Voice
Written by Martha Randall:
Jennifer Piazza-Pick has championed women composers in her dissertation, See It to Be It: Art Songs by American Women Composers, performed throughout the U.S. She is one of the few who completed the program in three years AND to have a collegiate position in the fall. She is a combination of Wonder Woman and the Energizer Bunny! Brava, Dr. J!
Matthew Frederick Rynes
D.M.A. in Clarinet
Written by Robert DiLutis:
Matt has been an incredibly large part of the clarinet studio for the past 4 years. His tenacity and hard work paid off and were showcased in some of the most virtuoso clarinet recitals ever heard at UMD! Matt did not just perform 1 concerto, but 5 of the most difficult in the repertoire. Bravo, and best wishes as you grow your career as a teacher.
Dmitry Aleksandr Samogray
D.M.A. in Piano
Written by Larissa Dedova:
Dear Dima, my warmest congratulations on your well deserved D.M.A. degree! Your dissertation recording of the piano music of Robert Muczynski is a great achievement of research and wonderful performance, and I am sure it will be appreciated nationally and internationally. Very proud of you! Bravo!
Luke Jonathan Spence
D.M.A. in Trumpet
Written by Chris Gekker:
Luke, you've been like a fellow faculty member here, and we all are so grateful for your musicianship, your mentoring of younger students, and your exemplary performances. Your dissertation was one we'll always remember, and your recordings will continue to resonate and move us as they become more widely known.
Josiah Michael Stocker
D.M.A. in Collaborative Piano
Written by Rita Sloan:
Collaborative piano D.M.A. graduate Josiah Stocker's dissertation consisted of his masterful
performances of the daunting works of Cowell, Persichetti and Carter. The 3 recitals and accompanying program notes show his intellectual command and passion for these works. Already at the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY, continuing success lies ahead!
Andrew Jonathan Welch
D.M.A. in Collaborative Piano
Written by Rita Sloan:
Collaborative piano D.M.A. graduate Andrew Welch's dissertation on Messiaen's influence as a teacher lauds the field of pedagogy. Also, Andrew's intellectual ability to decipher the complex and esoteric works in his three marvelously-realized recitals is clear. Doubtless, he will be pursuing similarly heady concepts in his successful musical future!