The UTSA School of Music is in full swing for 2023 with its new concert series, En Vivo - In the Hall. The series brings world-class, internationally acclaimed musicians to San Antonio for performances that are free for the community to attend. The series made its debut in November with guest pianist Tammy Miller from the Omaha Conservatory of Music, picks up with 11 dates lined up for the Spring semester–three of those scheduled in January.
En Vivo - In the Hall presents these concerts within the walls of the UTSA Recital Hall, located inside the Arts building on the UTSA Mains Campus. The concert series’ name (which can be translated to “Live - In the Hall” in Spanish) is representative of UTSA and San Antonio's strong Hispanic cultural background, as well as the university’s proud claim as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).
The series also has a strong focus on education, with many of the acclaimed artists performing at the university also being some of the most well-respected educators in the field. For example, artists such as Andrew Brownell, professor of piano at the Butler School of Music at UT Austin, and Chelsea Bonagura from the Mannes School of Music in New York City, actively teach at prestigious music institutions. In addition to live performances, En Vivo will occasionally include workshops and masterclasses that give UTSA music students opportunities to work with and learn directly from professional artists.
Sympatico Percussion Group, the first artist to perform at UTSA in 2023, is a percussion quintet that has been putting together vibrant and entertaining performances throughout North America and abroad since 2008. The group is comprised of seasoned percussionists Scott Herring, Joseph Krygier, Johnny Mendoza, Christopher Norton, and Susan Powell, who collectively bring decades of experience and knowledge as performers and educators.
Another notable En Vivo guest artist is Santiago Jimenez Jr., a Grammy-nominated American folk musician and the younger brother of famous Tejano musician Flaco Jimenez. Jimenez will perform in the UTSA Recital Hall on February 8 at 7:30 p.m.
For other UTSA School of Music events, visit https://music.utsa.edu/index.php/embeds/calendar
The timeless tradition and walk that only those with the aptitude to face the challenges along the way has come and gone. From Roadrunner Days to the long-awaited commencement ceremony in the Alamodome, our entire Class of 2022 has officially joined the UTSA School of Music’s ever-growing alumni network
Known for her glowing personality with a big heart and usually dark clothing by her colleagues, Mariah Martinez is a first-generation graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Marketing. She served on the School of Music marketing staff as an editor for Cadenza and social specialist during her final semester at UTSA. At the same time, she also worked an internship at Music on Magnolia, a local music education business.
Looking back on her undergraduate studies, she appreciates the opportunity to explore her voice's capabilities through performance and learn more about music in different cultures.
“My favorite moments at UTSA Music included singing the Dvorak Te Deum solo my sophomore year and getting to learn more about diverse cultures with music in my Music In Civilization classes,” said Martinez.
Now that she’s walked the stage with her ring, she looks forward to returning home to H-Town, where she’ll focus on her solo music project MANINA and working in digital media for non-profits and other organizations.
Former UTSA guitar student Evan Wadsworth walked out of the Alamodome with his Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance and Summa Cum
Laude honors. Now that he’s completed his undergraduate studies, Evan looks forward to taking his experience and continuing to chart the heights of his potential as a musician.
The private lesson studio he’s maintained throughout the duration of college will continue, along with his performing ventures, as he pursues career opportunities in music production.
Like many other students and alumni, Evan created a network of colleagues and professors during his time at UTSA–connections that can potentially last a lifetime with equally lengthy benefits.
“My favorite thing was the connection I made with my colleagues and professors. The quality of instruction was top-notch, and I made some great friends along the way,” said Wadsworth.
First-gen student Christian Cortez is a classical guitarist and a near-future music educator. He walked out of UTSA with his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a Choral specification.
Now that he has his degree, the new alum aspires to teach and conduct choir classes at the middle school or high school level here in San Antonio at Northside Independent School District.
Madison
Though he now has his plans awaiting him, Christian looks back fondly on his experience as an undergraduate at UTSA. His favorite moment came near the end of his journey as an undergrad during his senior recital in the Spring of 2022
“My favorite moment at UTSA had to be my senior recital, I had never worked so hard and rigorously in my musical career. Playing my heart out and not holding back gave me the lifelong confidence I needed as a musician. I have no regrets!”
For soprano Madison Blanco, the end of her undergraduate studies is only partially fulfilling her educational journey, as she plans to attend graduate school next year in the Fall of 2024. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance in December and graduated Cum Laude.
Her immediate plans following graduation involve traveling over North and Central America during the spring.
“I plan on helping kids in Nicaragua learn how to write and read through music from March until May. Then I’m going to NYC to perform Mozart’s Requiem with Dr. Muhn in June,” said Blanco.
Her favorite moments as an undergraduate include her performances in the UTSA Lyric Theatre’s
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Congratulations to all of our new Roadrunner alumni on achieving this significant milestone in their lives. Though some will return and others may run free, they will always have a network and a family in San Antonio, echoing back to the words they all once said in the Convocation Center as freshmen; “Now and forever, I am a Roadrunner.”
Fall 2022 graduates not mentioned**
Julia Bent
Hannah Bradley
Sophia Carbuccia
Sean Corbett
Christian Cortez
Andrew Granado
Alejandro Palacios
Derek Ravizee
Azziya Richardson
Andrew Rubio
Jessica Serna
Noah Serrata
Kyree Harrison Matthew Settles
Andrew Kimberly Ezek Zamorano
This free program offers U.S. veterans the chance to learn an instrument and play in a concert band. The class is taught by Major Dean L. Zarmbinski, USAF (ret.), along with UTSA music faculty and students, and provides music and free instrument rentals for all veterans
Visit https://fund.utsa.edu/project/34914 to make a gift to On-Corps today
Are you considering pursuing a degree in music? Check out our online interactive 2022-2023 viewbook and see why students all over Texas are choosing the UTSA School of Music
The University of Texas at San Antonio is in the business of training excellent performers, educators, composers, and entrepreneurs. We offer fully-accredited Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music with a wide selection of concentrations and minors
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