Where Are They Now?
Javi Rodriguez (M.M. '21) assumed the role of director of bands and choruses at Tinker K-8 Middle School in Tampa, FL, after earning his master's of music at Baylor University's School of Music.
Kameron Alston (B.M. ’20) was named as a Winner of the Michigan District—2023-24 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Bille Bruley (M.M. ’14, B.M. ’11) was appointed assistant professor of voice at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
Matt Hagestuen (M.M. ’20) and his colleague pianist Seoyon MacDonald from the University of Southern California created a film in collaboration with the Polish composer Krzysztof Meyer and the Shostakovich Foundation to premiere an unpublished "Prelude and Fugue" by Dmitri Shostakovich. Both the music video and making of film have been selected for screening at the Lift-Off Film Festival in Berlin, Germany. MacDonald is wrapping up her doctoral studies at USC while Hagestuen continues to serve as video director at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Kody Harrington (B.M.E. ’21) recently won the principal bassoon position for the Victoria Symphony in Victoria, TX.
Matthew Hazelwood (M.M. ’17) recently started a new position as pastor for music & worship at First Baptist Church of Bremen, GA.
Dr. Tracie Jernigan (B.M. ’00, M.M. ’03) recently started a new position as minister of worship arts at First Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC.
Bassist Jonathan Keith (M.M. ’23) won a position with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and Chamber Orchestra. This prestigious band’s mission is to perform music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization.
Kaylee McGuire (B.M.E. ’23) won the essay contest sponsored by the TMEA Collegiate Division. Her essay will be published as an article in an upcoming issue of Southwestern Musician.
Carolyn Orr (B.M. ’20) was named as a Winner of the North Carolina District—2023-24 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Marjorie Owens’s (B.M. ’02) debut title role in Elektra with the Dallas Opera has earned her rave reviews from Texas Classical Review, Dallas Morning News and EARrelevant.net.
After graduation, J. Javi Rodriguez (M.M. ’21) returned to Tampa, FL, and assumed the role of director of bands and choruses at Tinker K8 School in 2021, which services students who live at MacDill Air Force Base. He has also played with various bands and orchestras in central and south FL. He currently plays with The Florida Orchestra, Venice Symphony, Florida Wind Band, Villages Philharmonic, and Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra. Most recently, he was appointed the new adjunct bassoon professor at The University of Tampa, where in addition to teaching, he also is a member of the UT Faculty Woodwind Quintet. Rodriguez is looking forward to continuing his passion for playing and being a strong advocate for music education.
Matthew Sumrall (BM ’22) recently started a new position as minister of music at First Baptist Church of Rockport, TX.