The Class of 2026 was celebrated on the morning of May 5 in Bezanson Recital Hall during the annual Convocation and Music Awards Ceremony.
The event featured scholarship and award presentations in the music area, while the dance area honors students at their own ceremony on May 14th.
Hosted by department chair Matthew Westgate, the ceremony opened with a Trumpet Ensemble fanfare, followed by performances by two of last year’s award winners. Trombonist Brayden Hackett (2025 Cunningham Outstanding Sophomore) and drummer Nicholas LaCava (2025 Howard Lebow Award) led a group in a performance of Slashes by Marshall Gilkes. Saxophonist Alex You, pianist Brian Repeta, and bassist Jack Chisholm also performed on the piece.
Following the performance, Westgate honored Edward Arron, who is leaving UMass after a decade of leading the cello studio. Jazz Drum Set professor Thomas Giampietro is also departing after 15 years of service to the department.
The announcement of the award winners followed, and the full class of graduate and undergraduate degree candidates and Honors students were all recognized before the end of the ceremony. Along with current faculty, the award presenters included distinguished emeritus professors Estela Olevsky and Ernest May, as well as David Nielsen, the spouse of the beloved late piano professor Nadine Shank.
2026 Music Scholarship and Award Winners:
Russell E. and Janet R. Falvey Scholarship: Brielle Murray
Awarded to a freshman from a western Massachusetts high school who is pursuing a degree in music education and has demonstrated academic excellence and the potential to impact the musical education of young people.
Ornest Undergraduate Award: Anna Adams, Branigan Smith, Emma Taylor
Awarded to voice students with established academic credentials. The student must maintain a 3.5 GPA over 2 years.
Philip Bezanson Voice/Composition Award: Michael Ploof
A scholarship to support a student majoring in Music whose primary applied area is voice or composition.
Eugenie M. May Piano Award: Magdalene Myint
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in piano performance.
Geraldine Shank Collaborative Piano Award: Stephanie Petinaux
Given in honor of Geraldine Shank to a pianist who has excelled in the special art of collaborative playing. (Student does not need to be a major)
Nadine Shank Double Major Award: Ella Bilge, Alex Hawryluk
Given to undergraduates pursuing a double major with one major in the Department of Music and Dance and another major in a non-arts field.
Julian Olevsky Memorial Award: Maria Mendez
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in violin performance
Lynn Klock Award in Saxophone: Riley Webster
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in saxophone performance
Laura Klock Award in Horn: Ayesha Abdullah
Awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment in horn performance
Walter M. Chesnut Award in Trumpet: Jazlyn Cabrera
To provide a scholarship for a music major whose primary applied area is trumpet and has demonstrated the highest standard of musical excellence.
Jane A. Bernstein Prize for Exceptional Musicological Research: Emmet Chilton-Sugerman, Miles Lundquist
Awarded to the best research project on a musicological topic concerning pre-modern musical traditions or their receptions up to the present day. (Can be either grad or undergrad)
Fletcher Henderson Memorial/Max Roach Scholarship Award: Aidan Higgins
Awarded in recognition of exceptional musical ability and leadership in the Jazz and African American Music Studies Program
Richard and Susan Roznoy Scholarship: Ella Bilge
Presented to undergraduate music majors in their freshman, sophomore or junior years. Recipients must be string players in the UMass Symphony Orchestra.
Susan Cunningham Campbell Outstanding Freshman Award: Keelin Lyons
Awarded to a freshman music major who has achieved distinction in the Department of Music and Dance.
Susan Cunningham Campbell Outstanding Sophomore Award: John Chisholm
Awarded to a sophomore music major who has achieved distinction in the Department of Music and Dance.
David W. Briggs Scholarship in Memory of Jean S. Briggs: Maile Karrasch
For a full time sophomore (or greater) with a 3.5 GPA, in need of Financial Aid, majoring in one of the music programs.
Friends of Music Senior Award: Nicholas LaCava
Given to music majors who are graduating seniors and have distinguished themselves in the Department of Music and Dance
Howard Lebow Memorial Scholarship: Frederic Gondek, Alex You
Awarded to returning students who have distinguished themselves as performing musicians.
Theodore Presser Scholar Award: Ayesha Abdullah
Presented to an undergraduate music major at the end of their final year of study with high levels of grades, performance, leadership, service, and inclusivity.
Our music and dance students receive scholarships through the generosity of our donors. Please consider a gift to the fund of your choice by visiting this Giving link.