2026 Student News

We’re proud to celebrate a these School of Music students whose dedication and range should be celebrated. Each path looks a little different. That is part of what makes this moment meaningful. Together, they show the many directions where a music education can lead.

• Yassin Adams (BM, Music Industry, Clarinet) has been accepted to the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to pursue a Master of Music on a full scholarship, beginning Fall 2026
• Justin Averill (BM, Music Industry, Tuba) will attend the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music on a full assistantship to pursue a Master’s in Tuba Performance.
• Katherine Beatty (BM, Music Industry, Flute) is moving to Bloomington, Indiana to pursue work in arts administration.
• Heather Benz (BM, Music Industry, Violin; BS, Biology with a concentration in Physiology) Heather will be pursuing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, where she hopes to specialize in small motor muscle surgery and advocate for musicians’ health
• Samuel Brooke (MM, Performance, Percussion) received a full Teaching Assistantship and is starting his D.M.A. at the University of Alabama next fall.
• Sam Campbell (senior, music industry) – First Place in the Tennessee Day of Percussion Drumset Competition
• Josue Garza (BM, Music Education, Percussion) received a full Teaching Assistantship and is starting his Master’s Degree at East Texas A&M University
• Østen Collins (BM, Music Education, Trumpet) Accepted a position as band director at Oakland Middle School (Murfreesboro, TN)
• Wyatt Crabill (freshman, music education) – First Place in the Tennessee Day of Percussion Marimba Competition
• Jillian Dillehay (Senior, Music Education) Received a GTA at MTSU and is starting her master’s in music degree
• Olivia Guthier (BM, Instrumental Music Education, Flute) is pursuing a job in Instrumental Music Education
• Daniel Kuk (BM, Jazz Studies, Piano) has been accepted to the Manhattan School of Music with a full assistantship
• Will King (BM, Instrumental Music Education; BM, Performance, Oboe) will attend the Eastman School of Music to pursue a Master of Music in oboe performance
• Abigail Linville (Minors in Entertainment Arts Design and Music Industry, Oboe; BS, Textiles, Merchandising and Design) continues to build a creative path that connects design and music
• Chelsea Liu (BM, Instrumental Music Education, Flute) is pursuing a job in Instrumental Music Education
• Cecilia Lovelace (BM, Music, Mezzo Soprano) will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to pursue a Master of Music on near full scholarship
• Abigail Miller (BM, Music, Soprano) will continue at the Peabody Institute to pursue a Master of Music in voice
• Jonathan Oldham (BM, Instrumental Performance, Flute) is taking a gap year to build a private studio and audition for graduate school
• Emily Olson (BS, Biochemistry; BS, Physics; minor in Music Industry) will attend Portland State University to pursue a PhD in chemistry
• Jayna Powell (MM, Performance, Cello) will continue to the University of Houston to pursue a DMA with a full assistantship
• Mario Puentes (BM, Bassoon, Instrumental Music Education) will attend the University of Kansas with a graduate teaching assistantship to pursue a Master’s in bassoon performance
• Jonah Sherlin (freshman, music education) – First Place in the Tennessee Day of Percussion Snare Drum Competition
• Cade Spradlin (BM, Jazz Studies, Saxophone) has been accepted to the University of Miami to pursue graduate study in Ethnomusicology, with a full graduate assistantship
• Isaac Swinney (BM, Performance, Trumpet) will attend The Juilliard School to pursue a master’s degree in trumpet performance
• Erin Seifert (BM, Voice, Mezzo Soprano) earned first place in the Grace Moore Vocal Scholarship Competition, receiving a $2,000 award, and will attend Indiana University to pursue a Master of Music in voice
• Faith Taylor Van Ryckeghem (MM, Performance, Piano) will continue to serve as Adjunct Instructor of Piano at the Blair Academy at Vanderbilt
• Jakob Young (BM, Instrumental Music Education, Flute) is pursuing a job in Instrumental Music Education

We’re grateful for the time, energy, and care these students have given to this community. It has shaped the School of Music in lasting ways.