Cadenza | Opus 22 by UTSA - The University of Texas at San Antonio

CADENZA UTSA DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC | MAY 2020 Opus 22

CAPTION ROADRUNNERS, NEAR OR FAR The impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and how we are adjusting in this uncertain time.

CONTENTS

WELCOME

CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY

LENDING A HAND

10 12 18

A word from Department of Music Chair, Dr. Tracy Cowden

Read how the music industry is dealing with the impact of COVID-19

Our friends at Alamo Music keep piano students on track by lending keyboards

VIRTUAL UNDERGROUND The annual music and arts festival will be streaming online this year

SEMESTER IN REVIEW A pictoral recap of the spring semester highlights

CLASS OF 2020 Seniors reflect on this semesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges and their hope for the future

CONTRIBUTORS: Shelby Gorden - Graphic Designer Alissa Stolt - Editor Cindy Solis - Senior Events Manager Rebekah Alegria - PR Assistant Jason Guzman - Graphic Designer II Doug Summers - Intern

Welcome to

CADENZA

Showcasing UTSA Music

FRIENDS, We send you a warm welcome to our final issue of Cadenza for the 2019-2020 academic year and hope that you all are safe and healthy as you read this. While this issue gives us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students and look back at all we have achieved this semester, we are sad to not gather in person to share our joy in music together. However, we are moving our annual awards ceremony, Extravaganza, online! If you did not receive an invitation but would like to join us on May 8th at 7:00 P.M. to celebrate student achievements and awards, please reach out to our Senior Events Manager Cindy Solis at cynthia.solis@utsa.edu for a link to the event. The resilience of the arts community has been strong through this time and the creativity of our own students, faculty, and staff has been remarkable. While we aren’t able to invite you to attend live concerts at this time, we hope that you have had a chance to experience some of the outstanding online content provided by students and faculty through our social media accounts and YouTube. This includes freshly edited ensemble pieces, livestream performances, and our music marketing podcast, CODA, which is available from http://music.utsa.edu. We’re not finished yet, either! Next week, our Musicians of Business (MOB) lead a freshly expanded, on-line version of UTSA Underground; you can read about this in the following pages. MOB, an important feature of our music marketing program led by Dr. Stan Renard, was just awarded UTSA’s Distinguished Diversity Award in the Student Organization category – congratulations to all of them for this recognition! While we do not have live events to promote at this time, we are still proud to feature several articles highlighting the department. This issue features an article about the impact of COVID-19 on the music industry written by Dr. Stan Renard, a story about the extraordinary student staff who produce Cadenza and other marketing materials for the Department of Music, a feature on talented alumnus Rick Sanchez, and a pictorial review. We would love to hear from you with any feedback about Cadenza and Department of Music events; please reach out to us at music@utsa.edu with questions and comments. We wish the best for you all as we navigate these uncertain times, and we look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at music events again, virtually or in person! Tracy Cowden Roland K. Blumberg Endowed Professor in Music and Chair

Oral History Project Brings Insight Into COVID-19 Effects on the SA Music Industry Article By Dr. Stan Renard This article is the outcome of a class project I did with three of my students: Joey Berrios, Rolando ‘Dito’ Saenz, and Joseph Flores. We felt that we had an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our local music scene. We decided to make it an oral history project in a podcast format and interviewed music industry professionals from San Antonio across a wide range of activities including several arts nonprofits, two live venues, two recording studios, a publisher and A&R (Artists and Representation) professional, two record labels, and four music product retail outlets. We wanted to give a voice to music industry leaders in our community and have them tell us their stories that we could share and relay on the UTSA CODA Podcast channel http://coda.utsa.edu/. Those interviews were humbling and emotional but also very insightful. We are extremely grateful for our participants who were willing to talk to us and share details about their operations so candidly. So…what did we learn? The live music sector and concert industry is by far the most impacted across our city and has not seen shows since mid-March, with cancelled events currently extended until June and most likely for much longer.1 It is a grim outlook with thousands of full-time and part-time professionals being furloughed within that sector across our city. This has affected most musicians as well as production and customer service professionals. Some venues such as “the Tobin Performing Arts Center now operate on a skeleton crew,” says Aaron Zimmerman, Vice President of Programming and Marketing for the Tobin Performing Arts Center.2 San Antonio has 1 https://therivardreport.com/music-venues-try-to-hang-on-look-ahead-during-covid-19closures/?fbclid=IwAR1hJjBruKDc6peZJUbyjBVmYnI4vX5pJ6Bu8DLP7v_ZtkMRixmP4f9quGg 2 https://www.tobincenter.org/

some 300 physical spaces that offered live music entertainment on a regular basis prior to stay at home orders. That is about 150,000 empty seats and/or standing room spaces that have not seen any activity for over a month and half. “The live music sector is about experiencing shows in person and is about physical proximity but all we hear in the news is talk of social distancing,” says Zimmerman. To get a general sense of the distribution of our music related cultural assets, please go to my GIS Map.3 To amplify this tremendous loss of revenue, the city has suspended arts funding, which is largely dependent on tourism and hotel occupancy tax revenue.4 Many arts nonprofits that have been loyal and dedicated renters of spaces across town may not recover. However, several of the arts nonprofits across San Antonio have been very innovative, engaging their patrons on social media by consistently creating new content. Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW), praised for its resilience and innovative programming, partnered with the local live streaming company Media Fusion to make its live concerts and other programs available to its patrons, explained Sean Kithas, Marketing Manager for MBAW.5 The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA) abruptly concluded its concert season with a highly acclaimed Selena Tribute concert mid-March at the Tobin and will be conducting video auditions instead of live auditions this year, stated Alex Flores, Marketing Manager at YOSA.6 We also perceived that music product retailers across San Antonio experienced an all-or-nothing scenario. On the devastating side, “Sam Ash had to let go of its 1700 employees and Guitar Center furloughed a staggering 8000 employees nationally,” says Jon Johansen, General Manager of Sam Ash Southwest Region. Sam Ash, which heavily relies on its in-store purchases, had to fall back on its centralized online platform, but local stores had to let go of their staff. Furthermore, adding to this enormous disruption, suppliers and vendors have halted or limited their operations. On a more positive note, our San Antonio Sam Ash store is likely to re-open sooner than its New York and California counterparts and is looking forward to bringing back its staff, explains Johansen. Jon Cutthroat, owner and operator of Robot Monster Guitar, told us that his business has been closed since the city ordered nonessential businesses to shut their doors on March 25 and thus, has not been able to generate revenue since then. The business re-opened on Friday, April 24 with daily limited hours providing curbside pickup. From a much more encouraging perspective, Alamo Music, a family-owned business, and Music Go Round San Antonio, operated by Matt Orenstein, are both 3 Renard, S. (2018). “Mapping Music Cities: A Case Study of the Musical Landscape of San Antonio,” Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) Journal 18(1), 145-172. 4 https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article/City-s-suspension-ofarts-funding-hits-San-15189993.php 5 https://www.mediafusionapp.com/ 6 https://www.yosa.org/

seeing strong online sales, which their businesses are primed to do, as explained by both Adriana Flores, the Vice President of Alamo Music, and Orenstein. Both retailers have been able to weather the storm and keep most of their employees on the payroll. We have learned that best-selling hot ticket items during the pandemic have been guitars and related accessories as well as music production equipment and anything that can help make streaming music possible. Labels are also doing fine with strong online sales and publishing revenue not yet showing traces of contraction, explained Carlos Alvarez, responsible for Publishing and Artist & Relations for Azteca Records, a record label that focuses on regional Mexican music.7 However, musicians and artists are the ones struggling the most because most of their income depends on performing at live shows. Chris Lieck8 and Keith Harter of Harter Music9, who independently own two of the premier recording studios in San Antonio, are also weathering the pandemic relatively well, generating revenue by producing music for a wide range of artists as well as commercials in addition to collecting publishing royalties. Both studios have seen strong demand from artists requesting studio time but are not currently letting musicians come into the studio. Most of their work is currently produced in-house.

Bridges Around the World and The Orchard. About the CODA Podcast The CODA Podcast is an audio and oral history archive focusing on the music industry, creative entrepreneurs, and the cultural nonprofit sector. It is hosted by Dr. Stan Renard, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Music Marketing in the Department of Music at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). CODA features interviews conducted by Dr. Stan Renard and his students giving a voice to Music Industry experts, Creative Entrepreneurs, and the Arts and Music Nonprofit Sector. CODA has engaged 1200 active listeners since the medium was launched since 2018. If you wish to participate in our podcast or have questions, please feel free to reach us by email at stan.renard@utsa.edu

Lessons learned Everyone we interviewed did agree that their livelihood and business operations have been drastically affected and that the way business is done will never be the same. Changes will have to be made even when we are past the COVID-19 pandemic to account for social distancing and increased sanitizing measures. What appears as the prevalent and somewhat obvious trend is that organizations and artists who were able to move their operation online are most likely to weather the pandemic. Musician entrepreneur and San Antonio Sound Garden Executive Director Adam Tutor has taken a positive attitude towards the lock down and seized the opportunity to move all of his activities online. All of our interviewees also agreed that their operations and schedules have changed, but not all for the worst, giving them more time spent at home with family. In addition, all were seeking or already have secured relief funds in the form of the Pay Protection Program (PPP), SBA (Small Business Administration) Loans, rent or mortgage payment deferment, and various new COVID-19 specific grants. For a list of COVID-19 relief fund resources please refer to the following resources made available by Musical 7 http://aztecamusicgroup.com/records/ 8 https://www.chrislieck.com/ 9 http://hartermusic.com/

Click to Listen Carlos Alvarez, Publishing and Artist & Relations for Azteca Records Adriana Flores, Vice President of Alamo Music Center, Inc. Jon Johansen, General Manager of Sam Ash Southwest Region Chris Lieck Studio Matt Orenstein, Owner of Music Go Round San Antonio Adam Tutor, Executive Director of SA Sound Garden and Musician Aaron Zimmerman, Vice President of Programming and Marketing for the Tobin Performing Arts Center Alex Flores, Marketing Manager for Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA) Sean Kithas, Marketing Manager for Music Bridges Around the World (MBAW) Joe Cutthroat, Owner and Operator of Robot Monster Guitar Keith Harter, Owner and Operator of Harter Music

We are here for YOU! If you are a student facing hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, UTSA is here to help. Whether it is food insecurit y, nancial or emotional strain, or issues dealing with online learning, help is only a click away. There are many resources available to help you survive and thrive during this challenging time. https ://giving.utsa.edu/covid19-relief We will get through this together.

Alamo Music Lends A Hand “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ” –Fred Rogers These words are a great reminder for everyone, young and old, to remain confident even during the most adverse times. Helpers will surface. For the students of the UTSA Department of Music, Adriana Flores of Alamo Music Center defined what a true helper really is. Following UTSA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, music majors faced an unusual disadvantage. They lost access to the limited practice rooms during the extended spring break and the ensuing campus

closure. Besides the obvious need for a piano when practicing or rehearsing with an accompanist, nonkeyboard majors also rely on pianos to assist them with strengthening their aural and basic skills. For those students that had no access to a piano at home, practicing and keeping up with expected music curriculum was adding stress to an already frustrating situation. So, when Dr. Tracy Cowden received an offer from Adriana Flores to provide digital keyboards to music majors who were lacking this resource, she was quick to accept the generous and unsolicited offer. She shared the good news with keyboard faculty who provided the names of suitable recipients. Sherri Downey teaches Class Piano and explains how important Flores’ lending program is to her students. “Class Piano (levels 1-4) are required courses for non-keyboard Music Majors,” says Downey. “Students learn functional piano skills, and with a personal instrument they will be able to continue practicing scales and arpeggios.” One of Downey’s students on the receiving end of Alamo Music’s generosity is freshman voice major, Mikaela Nichols. Her keyboard was delivered to her home by Adriana Flores. “I didn’t have a keyboard of my own to practice on. Ms. Downey then told me that Alamo Music was sending me a [digital] keyboard— which I thought was absolutely insane! I’m extremely grateful to both Alamo Music and Ms. Downey for helping me like this. It has affected my learning tremendously. I can now truly progress.” For Flores, giving is its own reward. “We are so happy to be able to loan out these six keyboards to students who didn’t have access or weren’t able to purchase them,” she says. “Making someone smile was an amazing feeling.” The incredible impact that Alamo Music had on the #utsamusic students is more than any one of them could have foreseen, and Flores did not stop there. She also reached out to music majors at the University of the Incarnate Word to supply them with digital keyboards while they shelter in place. Alamo Music Center, Inc. was founded in 1929 by

Alfredo Flores Sr. Alfredo Flores, Jr. managed and expanded the company in the next four decades until passing the day-to-day operations to the third and fourth Flores generations. Daughter Adriana and grandsons Zachary and Patrick are now at the helm of this historic company, and nearly 100 years after it was founded, keep Alamo Music true to its mission to help people encounter the power of music making. What Adriana and the rest of the Flores family have also done is to share with music students the power of friendship. Adriana Flores said, “The smiles on their faces are the best things I have seen in a while.”

I didn’t have a keyboard of my own to practice on. Ms. Downey then told me that Alamo Music was sending me a [digital] keyboard - which I thought was absolutely insane!

Mikaela Nichols practicing with her new keyboard from Alamo Music.

UTSA UTSA Underground Underground

A Virtual Experience

In a typical academic year, the UTSA Department of Music generates over 100 events. Concerts, student recitals, masterclasses, lectures, camps, and clinics make for a very event-heavy schedule. When health concerns forced UTSA administrators to extend Spring Break and ultimately close the campuses, the #utsamusic halls became silent and dark. No music was being made, not even for groups of 10 or less. But that was not acceptable to the music marketing students in MOB (Musicians of Business), when it came to their signature event-- UTSA Underground. They were going to ﬁnd a way to produce the annual springtime music and arts festival held in the service tunnels on the Main Campus. Anna Madewell is the President of MOB and is excited about the unprecedented format the festival will take this year. “We are planning on having an oﬃcial UTSA Underground Virtual Experience Video: an hour-long compilation of band and artist interviews, performances, and displays. The date for the Watch Party is May 8th. There will also be “Underground Week” from May 4th to May 8th featuring 30-minute set performances by bands and artists as well as interviews.”

With the many events that were cancelled or postponed, the future of UTSA Underground was also in question just a month ago. According to Madewell, MOB wanted to oﬀer Underground in some form because it is a community event that is anticipated every year by participants and spectators. “A month ago, I realized that people can still experience the festival and the music from home.” Because it is a growing event and centrally located on campus, the sense of community was desperately needed now more than ever despite any unprecedented obstacles that it may present. “[Our] main worry is the shortage of time with marketing. We also do not have an abundance of MOB members so the workload is heavy. Nonetheless, we are extremely excited to experiment with this idea and see how this event will impact listeners and the community.” A virtual event is unfamiliar territory for many of the MOB members, and the technology that is supposed to ease the process can sometimes cause as many problems. Madewell has indicated a few hurdles the group is working to clear. “Figuring out how to livestream these performances without being present during the performance,” is one of the issues being tackled she says. In addition, “spending time on editing and conﬁguring all of the artists/band interviews on Zoom and artist/band performances; scheduling/ communicating with these bands and artists,” can be discouraging, but MOB continues to work diligently and with a purpose. “We are feeling service minded in promoting musicians and artists in a time when they and their music are less exposed than ever.”

SEMESTER SPRING 2020

In February, Dr. Yoojin Muhn accepted a position as Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities!

Senior Administrative Associate Naomy Ybarra received the UTSA Staff Council’s Staff Appreciation Award for November 2019 in February. Ybarra is flanked on her right by Music Chair, Dr. Tracy Cowden and on her left by Dr. Stacey Davis, Associate Chair.

On January 31, Dr. Jennifer Beavers was granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor, and Dr. Kristen Pellegrino was promoted to Full Professor! Pellegrino and Beavers are seen here with interim COLFA dean Dr. Rhonda Gonzalez (center).

We welcome Dr. Martin Camacho, who will begin his duties as the dean of UTSA’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the Stumberg Distinguished University Chair on May 18. Camacho is a pianist and was the dean of the Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts at Midwestern State University.

In January, Administrative Associate II Victor Mendiola ended his 20 year career at #utsamusic which started when he was an oﬃce work study. Mendiola was honored with a special musical celebration and reception. As a retiree, Mendiola was also recognized with a special blue Recital Hall chair with a nameplate displaying his title and years of employment.

The annual TMEA alumni reception was a success thanks to the assistance of UTSA Alumni Association staﬀ who assisted in processing donations from our generous alumni. Thank you Rebecca Gutierrez, Alumni Engagement Coordinator and Steve Woodall, Interim Executive Director. Student Raymond Sifuentes is seen addressing the alumni about how their donations assist current students.

In March, Dr. Isaac Bustos brought the Southwest Guitar Symposium to our department and plans for it to become one of #utsamusic's annual events. (photo credit to Manuel Alejandro Hernandez Cardona)

The annual Festival of New Music held March 1st-5th featured local, regional, and national musicians who performed newly composed works--some of which premiered on the Recital Hall stage. Alumnae Dr. Noel Archambeault, Edna Longoria, Bethany Hirota-Mabry, and Evana Toll were joined by professors emeriti Dr. Gary Mabry and Carmen Tafolla during the concert presentation, “Chicana Art Song Project.”

Dr. Stan Renard and Dr. Drew Stephen (pictured here) received research funding for their projects. Renard’s project is titled, “The Impact of Noise Levels on the Emotional State of Consumers at Live Shows: A EEG Approach,” and Stephen’s research is on “The Hunt, Opera, and Identity”. Both are receiving funding from the Stuberg Summer Research Award Program.

An unexpected turn... Spring 2020 is certainly a historic time as our community and the world face the COVID-19 pandemic. Campuses were ultimately closed and classes moved online after spring break. Despite our physical distance, our #utsamusic communituy remains productive, strong, and a supportive family.

UTSA Flute Ensemble recognized by President Taylor Eighmy. Click to watch.

When rehersals were cancelled, Joseph Mora created a “Social Distancing Clarinet Ensemble.” Click to watch.

UTSA Music faculty and staﬀ connect virtually via Zoom.

Dr. Yoojin Muhn teaches virtual conducting classes and private lessons. UTSA Music dance faculty Michelle Pietri sewed and donated dozens of cloth masks to local nursing homes, friends, and family.

Professor emeritus Dr. Gary Mabry brings joy to the Vocal Pedagogy class during a guest lecture by discussing the many hats he has worn during his career.

Hello

Students within the Department of Music are talented and skilled musicians, but many come with talents outside that concentration. The very publication that you are reading was created by music students whose talents include graphic design, editing, writing, and marketing. For two years, Alissa Stolt and Shelby Gorden have comprised the publicity and promotion team within the Events Management oﬃce of #utsamusic. Between the two of them, Cadenza, social media posts, posters, screen graphics, and other deliverables were created for the department to promote the numerous and varied events held here. This May, we say goodbye to these two major players who will be graduating, and to our spring intern, Doug Summers, for whom we hope this semester has been a productive learning experience. We also welcome the two incoming students who will succeed them beginning next fall. Rebekah Alegria and Jason Guzman have been training with the team for the past two months and what they lack in length of time, they make up for in enthusiasm. So then…

Good luck, graduates! Welcome, new staﬀ members!

Rebekah Alegria PR Assistant Sophomore, Graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration I am so excited to be a new member of the #utsamusic PR team! I look forward to working with the UTSA music professors, building new relationships with my colleagues, acquiring more knowledge on my future profession, and to do it all while having fun. I would like to thank Alissa and Shelby for all of the hard work they have put in throughout the years. You guys left us some big shoes to ﬁll!

J ason Guzman

Graphic Designer Junior, Graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance Graphic design has always been something I was interested in but never really got the full taste of. Now that I have the opportunity to undertake the role as the new Graphic Designer for the Department of Music at UTSA, it’s like a whole new world of creativity has been opened up to me. I am very excited to be a part of this team and look forward to creating for the school I love!

Shelby Gorden Graphic Designer 2018-2020 Graduating May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and minor in Music Marketing In just three short years I’ve made UTSA my home. Being in the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band and serving as the Graphic Designer for the Department of Music has brought me so close to the #utsamusic community. I consider you all family. In my position I’ve been given the unique task of dancing between what is heard and what is seen in creating promotional materials for the plethora of music events we hold. This has grown me as an artist and pushed my creative boundaries. Thank you to Dr. Tracy Cowden and Cindy Solis for this opportunity and trusting me to speak for UTSA Music. I am hopeful and excited for the next chapter. Alissa Stolt PR Assistant 2019-2020 Graduating May 2020 with a Bachelor of Music, emphasis in Composition I will be attending Texas Tech University in the Masters of Music Theory program beginning Fall of 2020 and I will be a Teaching Assistant for the theory department there. I have enjoyed holding a position that allows me to feel like I am helping to share the amazing things that happen at #utsamusic! I love being a part of this department and this community. I feel like this position allowed me to help us be more visible to the community and I hope our presence will continue to grow. Of the jobs I have had during my college career, this one never felt like work. It’s been an enjoyable experience and I’ve had a great time being a part of this amazing team!

Doug Summers Intern Spring 2020 Graduating May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies (Music, Communication, History) For the last two years I have been living a dream that I thought might never come true: finally finishing my degree. Going back to college has been a challenge that I have enjoyed every single minute of, and I would like to thank all of the UTSA advisors, professors, faculty, and students that helped me along my road to graduation. After graduating, I plan on finding a job, either in graphic design or whatever is available in our current times, and learning more about web and app design.

and goodbye

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: RICK SANCHEZ While many musicians can find enjoyment in performing in solitude, the communal nature of music means others can actively participate or be moved as spectators. Music is an art but it is also a business. Music marketing attracts individuals that not only have a love for music, but want to find ways to promote its substance and beauty. Rick Sanchez (B.A.’09) completed the customary music coursework within the Department of Music, but took his education a step farther by completing business marketing courses (e.g. advertising, marketing principles) before moving the tassel on his ‘Runner cap. He has worked in some form of promotion for The Playhouse San Antonio, the Opera Guild of San Antonio, and as a graphic designer for his own company, RS Designs. Catching up with Rick meant looking northward to Austin.

What is your current position and what are your job duties?

Was music your first choice of study? Was UTSA your first choice?

I’m employed at ZACH Theatre in Austin, TX. It is one of the top professional regional theaters in Texas and is recognized nationally as a contending major theater. I’m their Senior Marketing Manager and I have been working there now for almost 5 years. A lot of my job responsibilities and duties include creating and executing complex and detailed marketing plans for the entire organization, from new season launches, to show specific plans, to our education programs. It requires a lot of coordination and organizing among many employees directly on the marketing team as well as ZACH employees, not to mention outside contractors and vendors, including a PR firm and digital media firm.

Music has always been my first choice of study. I always had this idea that voice performance or musical theatre performance was my calling for a degree. But, as it goes for many college students, that shifted over time. First it was Performance studies, then it was Theory and Composition studies. It was a journey. UTSA was not my first choice. I first went to Oklahoma City University, then San Antonio College. Because of doing local theatre in town and meeting UTSA music students through theatre, they suggested to study at UTSA. I’m glad they did, and I’m so grateful for the theatre community for introducing me to them [UTSA music students].

I studied voice with Dr. Michael Burgess, as well as Dr. Diana Allen, after graduation. As for my emphasis of Music and Marketing, I took courses within the [music] department as well as within the [College of Business] Marketing department at UTSA. My degree coincides pretty well with my current profession. I always thought I would perform as a profession, but life has an interesting way of hinting about what you should be doing with your life and career. Along with my studies at UTSA, my interests outside of school, including theatre, graphic design, non-profit work – heavily shaped the course of my career. Are you currently furthering your education? Currently I am not, but I am considering studying non-profit management to help further my career. Looking back, what were your greatest accomplishments at UTSA Music? There are a few I would consider some of my greatest accomplishments at UTSA. Being cast in an opera (in an actual lead role with solos) is one. That accomplishment made me feel I could hold my own and that I wasn’t just looked at as an actor who could sing. Designing a marketing ad for the department that was featured in local newspapers and magazines across town is another. My graphic design for UTSA Lyric Theatre’s La Bohème, which was recognized by Central Michigan University. They loved the design so much, they commissioned me to adapt that same design for their production of La Bohème. Did you have mentors or professors that you felt assisted you as an undergrad? If so, how? I have two mentors at UTSA, Dr. William McCrary and Michelle Pietri. I owe a lot to both of them for help guiding me and many other music students at UTSA. I was lucky enough to honor them both at an Annual Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Awards celebration for Special Contribution to Theatre in San Antonio.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years? I see myself moving to a Director level of management at a regional theater. Whether it be specifically in Marketing or [as an] Executive, managing a theater or non-profit arts organization in Texas is where I see myself. Texas is my home; the older I get, the more I don’t want to leave it. What comes to mind when you hear “UTSA Music Department”? Where do I begin? Is there a word limit? There are many things that come to mind: my Sinfonia brothers’ love and support; “How many times can I have an opera workshop course credit?”; choir rehearsal -- I always wanted to impress Dr. Silantien, or at least stay alert and focused; waiting after recitals to congratulate fellow voice students; choir tours, especially the one to Mexico.

“

But all that aside, I would say gratitude is the one thing that comes to mind.

“

With whom did you study at UTSA and with what emphasis did you graduate? How does your degree coincide with your present profession?

I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM NOW IF IT WASN’T FOR UTSA, IT’S FACULTY, AND MY MENTORS THERE.

MAY

DATES

04 UTSA VIRTUAL UNDERGROUND UTSA Virtual Underground begins May 4 and will continue through May 8.

11 FINAL EXAMS

Final exams begin May 11 and continue through May 15.

15 END OF TERM

The Spring 2020 term ends on May 15th.

23- VIRTUAL 24 COMMENCEMENT

UTSA celebrates the class of spring 2020 with a virtual ceremony. Click for more information.

26 SUMMER TERM

Online summer classes begin May 26 and continue through August 7. Click for more information.

SEE YOU SOON! STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ON UPCOMING CONCERTSÂ AND EVENTS AT UTSA MUSIC MUSIC.UTSA.EDU