Brandon Davis
2023 PRESSER SCHOLAR
Music Composition junior Brandon Davis took home this year’s 2023 Presser Scholarship Award. The scholarship is the most prestigious award given out annually at Extravaganza.
Music Composition junior Brandon Davis took home this year’s 2023 Presser Scholarship Award. The scholarship is the most prestigious award given out annually at Extravaganza.
Funded by The Presser Foundation, the award goes out to an exceptional music major who shows a high level of academic and musical accomplishment and embodies the qualities of leadership. The foundation looks for qualities of individual growth when selecting the scholar recipient, as well as their contributions to the overall success of their school’s music program. Brandon’s merits as an undergraduate student at the UTSA School of Music have demonstrated the necessary qualities for his selection exceptionally well.
In addition to being a composition major, Davis is also a member of the UTSA Flute Studio, as well as the Flute Ensemble, and studies under Dr. Rachel Woolf. Davis is also a member of the SOSA Marching Band.
Funded by The Presser Foundation, the award goes out to an exceptional music major who shows a high level of academic and musical accomplishment and embodies the qualities of leadership. The foundation looks for qualities of individual growth when selecting the scholar recipient, as well as their contributions to the overall success of their school’s music program. Davis’s merits as an undergraduate student at the UTSA School of Music have demonstrated the necessary qualities for his selection exceptionally well.
“I have been trying to feel like I am part of some community and organization for a while now, and with this award, I think I may have arrived there. I wanted to do a lot of things, so trying to juggle it all was a challenge that I wanted to see if I could do for fun,” said Davis.
This is Davis’s second straight time receiving a scholarship at Extravaganza, being the recipient of the COLFA Center for Student Excellence Experiential Learning Scholarship & David Bowen Memorial Endowment (for his semester abroad in Urbino) at Spring 2022’s ceremony. He was the winner of 2022’s Composition Competition with his work, Fuori. The string quartet piece was performed during March Chamber Ensembles.
“Many of my achievements were personal, for things that I may have done for the first time, or things that I would never have done without encouragement.”
He was the winner of 2022’s Composition Competition with his work, Fuori. The string quartet piece was performed during March 2023’s New Music Festival: Student Chamber Ensembles. Davis studies piano under Dr. Ivan Hurd as his principal instrument, in addition to also being a member of the Flute Ensemble. Davis is also a member of the SOSA Marching Band. Throughout his time at UTSA so far, he has placed on both the Dean’s and President’s lists for academic excellence.
This is also Davis’s second straight time receiving a scholarship at Extravaganza. He was the recipient of the COLFA Center for Student Excellence Experiential Learning Scholarship & David Bowen Memorial Endowment (for his semester abroad in Urbino) at Spring 2022’s ceremony.
Brandon Davis (left) receives the 2023 Presser from Dr. Stacey Davis at Extravaganza
Davis reheases with the UTSA Flute Ensemble
Page 6 | June 2023
Brandon Davis (left) receives the 2023 Presser from Dr. Stacey Davis at Extravaganza
“A big change in my life that happened here was my study abroad experience in Urbino. Doing so many new things opened me up a lot more...I would like [thank] Dr. Stephen for encouraging and helping me go on the study abroad program,” said Davis on his 2022 experience in Italy.
“A quote that appeared in my mind on the trip that keeps coming back to me is, ‘To get anywhere in life, I have to do everything!’ Since then, I have been turning my idle time into time spent on interesting projects, doing something outside my comfort zone...”
Davis’s ambition has evidently been the driving force in reaching high rungs in academic success each semester. His plans for post-graduation, as discussed with Cadenza staff, seemed primed to keep him on his current course. His aspirations include a return to Italy for graduate school and the continued pursuit of a career in music composition.
“I plan to study abroad again back in Italy for a Master of Music Composition, probably at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro, if I can. After I graduate from there, I’ll start out in recording engineer work as something I can do right out the gate,” said Davis.
“Eventually, I will move on to becoming a Video Game Composer...I will be producing [Electronic Dance Music] in my free time. If you are interested in my Electronic Music works, you can find me with my alias ‘Binesco’ on YouTube, Spotify, and other music stores.”
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Davis’s quartet was premiered on the second night of 2023’s New Music Festival
2023 OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
2023 OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
“Now and forever, I am a Roadrunner” couldn’t have held any more validity for Dr. Jourdan Laine Howell ’09 when she accepted the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award at Extravaganza 2023. Her journey at UTSA has encompassed her life’s work, from her beginnings as a student to her current status as an accomplished member of our faculty
Howell earned her B.M. and M.M. in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy as a Roadrunner before completing her DMA at the University of North Carolina–Greensboro. She would then take up the Education and Community Engagement Manager position for the Palm Beach Opera. There, she spearheaded the creation of ten programs designed to increase opera’s accessibility to different audience groups based on her belief in “opera for all.” She also helped increase audience engagement through a major audience-building campaign called Do Something Different: Discover Opera.
She would eventually return to the UTSA School of Music, now teaching private voice lessons, and the UTSA Lyric Theatre, the latter with whom she’s directed ten productions so far. Since her return, her creativity and collaboration with new stakeholders in stage productions have been defining traits of her work. Many of the ideas from her previous experience have translated and evolved into what she’s brought to the program.
“My personal belief is that opera and the arts...are for everyone,” said Howell. “Every project I do brings people from different groups together and celebrates multiple viewpoints...my goal is to grow participation in UTSA Lyric Theatre at the School of Music, at our university, and in our community.”
During her production of Jules Massanet’s Cinderella in the Fall of 2022, Howell facilitated a partnership with the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design in which students engaged in set design for the production. In addition, film students at UTSA joined the team to create a documentary about the partnership, establishing a new relationship with the School of Music and Film.
Page 8 | June 2023
She also brought mezzo-soprano Sabatina Mauro from the Dallas Opera to play the wicked stepmother Madame Haltière in Cinderella.
Howell later introduced a new collaborator by partnering with San Antonio’s Overtime Theater to present Scenes at the Overtime in April 2023. The collaboration opened doors for future collaborations utilizing the theater’s intimate black box-style setting and showcasing new productions.
Howell also played a role in the school’s marketing, handling Cadenza’s publication during the Fall of 2021 and creating graphic designs for events, programs, social media, and other digital assets.
Despite dedicated most of her career to teaching and directing, Howell has maintained her profile as a versatile soprano. In 2022, she sang as a guest soprano on Vaughn William’s Sinfonia Artica with the San Antonio Philharmonic. She’s also appeared with the UTSA Orchestra and Symphonic Band as a soloist within the last year. Most recently, she performed the Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias with two of her colleagues in March of 2023
During an emotionally driven acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Howell clarified how significantly UTSA has impacted her life. Some of the same people she now calls her colleagues were responsible for mentoring her during a crucial period that propelled her along her chosen path.
“First as her pedagogy professor...and now as her colleague, it is very powerful to see how Jourdan Laine has grown as a musician, teacher, and person...it is very gratifying now to see how we as a School of Music benefit from her knowledge, enthusiasm, and creativity,” said Dr. John Nix, coordinator for the Vocal Performance and Pedagogy master’s program at UTSA and Dr. Howell’s former professor.
Howell looks forward to her future at the School of Music as plans get set for the upcoming Fall semester. In addition, auditions are already well underway for the UTSA Lyric Theatre’s upcoming 2023-2024 season.
“The best part is that every student who is interested can find a place with UTSA Lyric Theatre next season - there is great variety in the repertoire.” said Howell. “We have a new partnership with Film & Media in the Fall that will produce a completely new work for film. Wesley Penix and I are working together to craft a meaningful piece inspired by our students’ personal experiences...”
Other plans for the season include 4:Epigrams, a recurring series that features four mini-operas with at least one commissioned work per iteration, El gato con botas, and the Verdi Project, among others.
Jourdan Laine Howell’s lasting advice for the audience before departing the stage at the award ceremony: “Put other people first in your creative activity and you will make better art and better friends. Seek out creatives that you respect and figure out way s to work with them. ”
To read more about Dr. Howell, visit her website at www.jourdanlainehowell.com
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Stacey Davis (right) presents Dr. Howell with the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award at Extravaganza in UTSA Recital Hall
UTSA SCHOOL OF MUSIC CLASS OF 2023
UTSA SCHOOL OF MUSIC CLASS OF 2023
UTSA SCHOOL OF MUSIC CLASS OF 2023
CLASS OF 2023
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Jake Jones Bachelor of Music Music Education Angela Liendo Bachelor of Music Music Education Aashish Mavini Bachelor of Music Instrumental Performance
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Matthew Navarez Bachelor of Music Music Education
Bryana Ramirez Bachelor of Music Music Education
Micah Rosenstein Bachelor of Music Composition
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Nikola Dimitrijevic Master of Music Instrumental Performance
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Eduardo Lopez Master of Music Instrumental Performance
Kieley Morales Master of Music Piano Performance and Pedagogy and Organ Performance
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Carlos Guevara Master of Music Instrumental Performance
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Natalie Baker Master of Music Vocal Performance and Pedagogy
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Hector Garcia Master of Music Conducting or man Music Performance and Pedagogy
Audrey Pratt Master of Music Organ Performance
Matthew Navarez Bachelor of Music Music Education
Bryana Ramirez Bachelor of Music Music Education
Micah Rosenstein Bachelor of Music Composition
Natali Master Vocal Performance Pedagogy Nikola Dimitrijevic Master of Music Instrumental Performance
W illem Flowers Master of Music Instrumental Performance
Hecto Master Conducting
Eduardo Lopez Master of Music Instrumental Performance
Kieley Morales Master of Music Piano Performance and Pedagogy and Organ Performance
Kaitlyn Nor man Master of Music Vocal Performance and Pedagogy
Audr Master Organ Performance
Carlos Guevara Master of Music Instrumental Performance
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O P E N T O S T U D E N T S I N G R A D E S 6 - 1 2 C L A S S E S O N I M P R O V I N G T O N E A N D T E C H N I Q U E P R A C T I C E T I P S A N D T R I C K S F O R 2 0 2 3 T M E A A L L - S T A T E F L U T E E T U D E S P E R F O R M F L U T E E N S E M B L E M U S I C
T S A M U S I C C A M P S . C O M
ALEJANDRO OLIVEROS Class of 2018, B.M. Music Education Director of Music, Our Lady of Atonement Catholic
Church
You were originally an engineering major at Texas A&M not an easy program to get into by any stretch. What made you flip the switch and pursue music at UTSA? How was the transfer and adjustment process from College Station to San Antonio?
“I made the difficult decision to leave aerospace engineering at Texas A&M in favor of pursuing what I knew was a better choice; music and teaching. Even while at Texas A&M, the best parts of the week were rehearsals and concerts with the Singing Cadets. As soon as I started my first theory class, I knew I had made the right choice.
[However] the process of transferring was pretty easy! My family lives here in San Antonio, and I grew up here, so it was a homecoming of sorts. I found the rigor of the music program to be on par with the engineering program in many ways, and the UTSA Music community was welcoming and warm. ”
Can you tell us about your experience studying abroad in Urbino? How did your exposure to Italy’s culture and the jump from textbook to real-life impact your overall learning experience at UTSA or your perspective on music in general?
“The semester abroad in Urbino was a mountaintop experience for my time at UTSA. The opportunity to study the history of Western music and civilization while visiting these sites offers an invaluable level of insight into a different world. It is one thing to learn about the Venetian polychoral style at a desk in San Antonio; it is another entirely
to experience person Basilica
San Marco in Venice in the midst of the Carnival, masks, and festivities around every corner. We learned about Dufay's consecration motet, "Nuper rosarum flores," and then walked the length of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The tangible connections were invaluable, and the wider experience of spending so much time in a different culture broadens the perception of the world in a way a textbook simply can't. It shows you that there is so much more never covered in a textbook, things that can only be truly understood by experiencing it for yourself in person. The world is so much larger and more beautiful than what the small bubbles we live in let us see. ”
Alumni Spotlight
Page 16 | June 2023
currently grades PK3-12. One of the greatest blessings has been getting to see so many of these kids grow up through elementary, middle, and high school. There are students graduating now that were in Pre-K when I graduated here myself; we are in the same yearbooks!”
Which professors made the most significant impact on your college/career trajectory, and how so?
“Many of Dr. Silantien's ‘Commandments’ from Concert Choir and Chamber Singers have become a regular thing my students hear in our own rehearsals, and I owe him a massive thanks for his guidance and leadership. He would always sarcastically say, "There is no such thing as a bad choir," but the truth behind it reminds me that it is my job to set up my students to succeed, and their failure is often indicative of my own. ”
Which professors made the most significant impact on your college/career trajectory, and how so?
“Many of Dr. Silantien's ‘Commandments’ from Concert Choir and Chamber Singers have become a regular thing my students hear in our own rehearsals, and I owe him a massive thanks for his guidance and leadership. He would always sarcastically say, "There is no such thing as a bad choir," but the truth behind it reminds me that it is my job to set up my students to succeed, and their failure is often indicative of my own. ”
How did you get to your position as Director of Music at Our Lady of Atonement? How has the experience been for you, and what do your work responsibilities involve?
“I came to be at Our Lady of the Atonement and The Atonement Catholic Academy as an alum [of the Academy.] I was teaching in FWISD at Benbrook Middle-High School and got a call encouraging me to apply for the open position in the Academy. It has been a dream to come back to the place that first gave me my love of music and showed me the magic it holds. I direct programs for both institutions, the Church and the attached Academy. The Church has three choirs (two youth and one adult), and the Academy offers curricular choral instruction to every student on campus, currently grades PK3-12. One of the greatest blessings has been getting to see so many of these kids grow up through elementary, middle, and high school. There are students graduating now that were in Pre-K when I graduated here myself; we are in the same yearbooks!”
How did you get to your position as Director of Music at Our Lady of Atonement? How has the experience been for you, and what do your work responsibilities involve?
“I came to be at Our Lady of the Atonement and The Atonement Catholic Academy as an alum [of the Academy ] I was teaching in FWISD at Benbrook Middle-High School and got a call encouraging me to apply for the open position in the Academy. It has been a dream to come back to the place that first gave me my love of music and showed me the magic it holds. I direct programs for both institutions, the Church and the attached Academy. The Church has three choirs (two youth and one adult), and the Academy offers curricular choral instruction to every student on campus, currently grades PK3-12. One of the greatest blessings has been getting to see so many of these kids grow up through elementary, middle, and high school. There are students graduating now that were in Pre-K when I graduated here myself; we are in the same yearbooks!”
Do you have any advice for students who are considering the prospect of pursuing a music degree and career? What about current college students thinking about changing their major to music, in particuular?
“To those considering a degree and career in music, whether starting there or transferring. I would say you have to acknowledge that this
Do you have any advice for students who are
Do you have any advice for students who are considering the prospect of pursuing a music degree and career? What about current college students thinking about changing their major to music, in particular?
“To those considering a degree and career in music, whether starting there or transferring. I would say you have to acknowledge that this
career is not about you. We often find ourselves wanting to pursue music because it makes us happy, it brings us joy. But music as a career is about giving it to other people, sharing that joy and magic. Especially in teaching, it cannot be just about you, the teacher. The most valuable piece of advice I heard while completing my undergrad was this: ‘You are not teaching music. You are teaching children.’ We are entrusted by families with helping them to raise their children. We are entrusted to help them navigate difficult emotions, all the highs and lows of adolescence. Particularly for teaching music, you can't do it well without a love of children and a passion for helping people be their best selves ”
career is not about you. We often find ourselves wanting to pursue music because it makes us happy, it brings us joy. But music as a career is about giving it to other people, sharing that joy magic. Especially in teaching, it cannot be just about you, the teacher. The most valuable piece of advice I heard while completing my undergrad was this: ‘You are not teaching music. You are teaching children.’ We are entrusted by families with helping them to raise their children. We are entrusted to help them navigate difficult emotions, all the highs and lows of adolescence. Particularly for teaching music, you can't do it well without a love of children and a passion for helping people be their best selves.”
Page 17 | June 2023
BY: RoLAnDo RAMon
Eymen Geylan Christine Debus Collaborative Pianist Award
Claudia Cuellar Kathleen and Albert Vale Endowed Scholarship
Zachary Cook Kathleen and Albert Vale Endowed Scholarship
Bernadette Fernandez Voice Area Faculty Encouragement Award
Chris Barrera Alamo Music
Eymen Geylan and Juiliana Woodlee Musical Arts Center of San Antonio Piano Pedagogy Award
Johanna Kitchen Opera Guild of San Antonio Achievement Award
L.J. Lepovitz Mariachi Leadership Award
Kieley Morales Deborah Moore Steinway Piano Gallery
Kaitlyn Norman Lyric Theatre Director’s Award
Juan Ramirez Connor and Shelby Smith Award
Micah Rosenstein Reed Holmes Memorial Award for Composition
Larissa Velez MTNA Chapter Award
