Recent Student Achievements

The Marriage of Figaro Washburn University production Spring 2006 Laura Blasi, Susanna (left) Sarah McQuere, Cherubino (right)

Rachele Bennett, Music Education – Violin
1st place Winner, Senior Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004

Alexandra Blasi, Music Performance – Soprano
Soloist, WU Choir presentation of Rutter’s Requiem, 2003
Apeiron presenter, 2004
2nd place Winner, National Association Teachers of Singing 4-State Regional Competition, 2003
Received the Departmental “Most Outstanding Freshman” Award, 2003
Kansas Music Teachers State Competition alternate, Freshman/Sophomore Division, 2003
Soprano soloist, WU Honors vocal quartet, Voci Dolci
2nd place Winner, Freshman/Sophomore Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004
2nd place Winner, WU Aria & Concerto Competition, 2005
Recipient of American Pen Women Award in Music, 2005

Amber Botros, Bachelor of Arts – Flute
Selected performer, Department Honors Recital, 2001

Heather Brown: Clarinet
WU Departmental Honors Recital, 2002

Nicolas Carr: Music Education – Baritone
Received the departmental “Most Outstanding Senior” Award, 2004
Baritone soloist, WU Honors Quartet, Voci Dolci, 2003
Sang the role of Melchior in the Topeka Opera Society presentation of Amahl and the Night Visitors, 2005

Shannon Coffman, Music Performance – Violin
Runner-up, Freshman Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004

Emily Cottrell, Bachelor of Arts - Soprano
WU Music Department Honors Concert, 2003

Josh Dixon, Baritone
2nd place Winner in two separate divisions, National Assoc. Teachers of Singing 4-state Regional Conference, 2001; 2000
Winner, WU Aria & Concerto Competition, 2003

Sara Emde, Music Performance – Flute
2nd Place Runner-up Freshman/Sophomore Woodwind Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2003
Selected performer, Department Honors Recital, 2004
3rd Alternate, Brooks de Wetter-Smith Master Class, Nebraska Flute Club, 2004
1st Place Winner, Junior/Senior Woodwind Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004
Hannah Lang Master Class participant, 2005
“Students of” Julius Baker Master Class participant, 2005
Received the departmental “Most Outstanding Sophomore” Award, 2005
“Honorable Mention” MTNA State Young Artist Competition WW Division, 2005
Kansas Intercollegiate Band, 2005

Jennifer Gilbert, Music Education – Flute
2nd Place Runner-up, Freshman/Sophomore Woodwind Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004

Jessica Halpin, Music Performance – Flute
Karl Kraber Master Class, Nebraska Flute Club, 2005
Mark Sparks Master Class, Kansas City Flute Association, 2005
Apeiron Small Ensemble performer, 2005
WU Student Summer Stipend Grant, 2005
Article published with The Flutist Quarterly, 2006

Sue Hamon, Flute
Winner, WU Aria & Concerto Competition, 2001; 2002

Von Hansen, Music Education – Percussion
WU Departmental Honors Recital, 2005

Davis Holden, Music Performance – Viola
1st place Winner, KMTA Collegiate Competition, 2001
Selected via competition to perform with the Washburn Symphony Orchestra

Aaron Jones, Music Performance – Clarinet
Received the Departmental “Most Outstanding Music Major” Award, 2002; 2003; 2004
WU Aria & Concerto Competition Winner, 2003
WU Departmental Honors Recital, 2003; 2004
Awarded music scholarship, Master of Music, Southern Methodist University, 2005

Sylvia Klingbeil, Music Education – Flute
Jim Walker Master Class, 2002
1st Place Winner, Junior/Senior Woodwind Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2003
Leone Buyse Master Class, Kansas City Flute Association, 2003
Kansas Intercollegiate Band, 2003-2004
Honors Woodwind Quintet, 2003
Apeiron Small Ensemble Performer, 2005

Jeff Kready, Music Education/Music Performance – Tenor
1st place Winner, National Association Teachers of Singing 4-state Regional Conference, 2002
2nd place Winner, National Association Teachers of Singing 4-state Regional Conference, 2003
Lead role in George M. at the Helen Hocker Theatre, 2003
Nominated for the Sibberson Award, 2004
Received the Secondary Student Teacher Award, 2004

Nadia Qing Li, Music Performance – Piano
Presented a solo performance at the 2001 Apeiron
Received the departmental “Most Outstanding Sophomore” Award, 2002
Finalist of the Naftzger Young Artist Audition, Wichita, KS. 2002
Winner of the WU Aria & Concerto Competition, 2002
Selected performer, 4 times for the Department Honors Recital
3rd place Freshman/Sophomore Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2002
Selected to participate in the Sunflower Music Festival Institute, 2002
Finalist, Omaha Piano Competition
Accepted for graduate study at Univ. of Michigan; Peabody Conservatory of Music; Univ. of Maryland; Northwestern Univ.; Eastman School of Music

Kelli Lignitz, Music Education – Clarinet
Received the Departmental “Most Outstanding Sophomore,” 1999
Selected by competitive audition to perform concerto with the Washburn Symphony Orchestra, 2001
Awarded full tuition clarinet scholarship, Master of Music, North Texas University, 2001
WU Departmental Honors Recital, 2001; 2000

Sarah Lockwood, Mezzo-Soprano
Chosen to participate in the Crescendo Music Awards, 2004
Mezzo-soprano soloist, WU Honors vocal quartet, Voci Dolci
1st place Winner, Freshman/Sophomore Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004
1st place Winner, State KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2003

Lee Mast, Music Education – Piano
WU Student Summer Stipend Grant, 2005
Apeiron research award, 2005

Janie Mollenkamp, Music Performance – Flute
National Association of Schools of Music Recital, 2001
Winner, WU Aria & Concerto Competition, 2002
2nd Place Runner-up, Junior/Senior Woodwind Division, KMTA Collegiate
Competitions, 2003
American Pen Women Award in Music, 2003
Honors Woodwind Quintet, 2003; 2004
Kansas Intercollegiate Band, 2004
Jonathan Snowden Master Class, 2004
1st Alternate, Brooks de Wetter-Smith Master Class, Nebraska Flute Club, 2004

Theo Musick, Music Performance – Percussion
Winner, WU Aria & Concerto Competition, 2004

Sarah McQuere, Music Performance – Violin (Voice minor)
1st place Winner, Freshman Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004

Laurie Parker, Music Education – Soprano/Piano
Nominated for the Sibberson Award, 2004

Amy Puderbaugh, Music Minor – Flute
1st place Winner, Freshman/Sophomore Woodwinds, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2004
Honors Woodwind Quintet, 2004-2005
WU Student Summer Stipend Grant, 2005
CD recording published with Mel Bay’s Fun With The Flute, 2006

Lance Quilling, Music Education – Euphonium
WU Student Summer Stipend Grant, 2005

Renata Ramonda, Music Education – Clarinet
Elected statewide Vice President for College Music Educators National Convention, 2004

Matt Scrivner, Music Performance – Bass
5th Place Winner, National Association Teachers of Singing 4-state Conference, 2002
WU Honors Concert, 2004
Received the departmental “Most Outstanding Sophomore” Award, 2004
Bass soloist, WU Honors quartet, Voci Dolci
Performed the role of Balthazar in the Topeka Opera Society presentation of Amahl and the Night Visitors, 2005

David Scroggins, Baritone
3rd place Winner, National Association Teachers of Singing 4-State Regional Conference, 2001; 2000

Erica Seago, Music Education – Flute
Elected statewide Vice President for College Music Educators National Convention, 2005
WU Student Summer Stipend Grant, 2005

Lisa Smith, Flute
1st PlaceWinner, Freshman/Sophomore Woodwind Division, KMTA Collegiate Competitions, 2003

Mary Slobodnik, Violin
Selected via competition to perform with the Washburn Symphony Orchestra, 2001

Rick Stones, Tenor
Tenor soloist, WU Honors quartet, Voci Dolci, 2004

Cory Yardley, Percussion
Original marimba composition, “Jumping Beans,” was accepted for publication, 2002

Clara Hao Zhang, Music Performance – Piano
Presented a solo performance at the 2001 Apeiron
Selected performer, 2 times for the Department Honors Recital, 2002; 2004
2nd place Junior/Senior Division, KMTA Collegiate Competition, 2003
Accepted by graduate schools of NYU and University of Massachusetts, 2005

Return to Top of Page