Undergraduate

2022 Outstanding Graduating Senior: Nelson Walker

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

2022 Outstanding Graduating Senior: Nelson Walker Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/20/2022 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

Every spring, the College of Music honors one undergraduate fourth-year student with the Outstanding Graduating Senior award in recognition of their hard work and dedication to their education.

This year, Nelson Walker—who will graduate May 5 with a bachelor of music degree in composition—has been selected to receive this prestigious award.

“Nelson has been a standout among our undergraduate music students, having combined his creative compositional style with his entrepreneurial mindset,” says Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Enrollment Management Matthew Roeder. “He’s worked with colleagues and peers to bring his new musical works to life, and has even utilized his own cello performance skills on recordings of his compositions.”

Adds Roeder, “Nelson has been Bixler Scholar since he began his musical career at the College of Music [the Bixler Foundation offers merit aid scholarships to resident undergraduate students each year].

“It’s clear that faculty across the college feel strongly about Nelson’s quality of work, as well as his enthusiastic interactions. There is no doubt that Nelson will find great success in the music profession while representing CU Boulder and the College of Music extremely well as a Music Buff alumnus.”

Walker originally applied to schools with the intent of pursuing solely a bachelor of music degree in cello performance. CU Boulder was the only school he was drawn to apply to as a double major in composition and cello performance. “It was a last minute decision to apply for composition,” he explains. “The string faculty and composition program are world-class. And when I toured the College of Music, I remember standing in the tile lounge, where everyone would congregate. From the interactions, I could tell there was such a strong sense of community and I knew I wanted to be in an environment where everyone rooted for everyone else.”

Ultimately, Walker decided to fully dedicate his time to studying composition. “I am most appreciative of Annika Socolofsky, who supported me in getting outside of my comfort zone, and Daphne Leong for her phenomenal theory knowledge and post-tonal course,” he says, adding that he feels “an overwhelming sense of admiration for everyone else in the department and College of Music.”

“There’s an incredible breadth of talent here and I would like to extend my immense gratitude to the faculty for the Outstanding Graduate distinction. I would also like to acknowledge my peers who are also working on so many incredible projects. I’m honored to have been selected, but it’s an even bigger honor to be a part of the College of Music community.”

Reflecting on his time at the College of Music, Walker offers this advice: “Feel empowered to do what’s right for you. Be bold in following what you’re most interested in, rather than being caught up on what pays the bills.”

Walker is also a Spark Award recipient for his composition “Untitled [wind],” which reflects his processing of—and reflection upon—the devastation of the recent Marshall and Middle Fork fires. Composed on SuperCollider, a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic compositions, Walker describes his piece as “an ambient, meditative soundscape of synthetic wind and fire crackles.”

Walker is looking forward to his newest album release on May 8. “Holloway and Walker: Four Sonatas” was recorded in collaboration with other College of Music alumni including Jordan Holloway (BM ’21 in Composition), Grace Stringfellow (BM ’21 in Oboe Performance), Derek Sharman (BM ’21 in Piano Performance) and Er-Hsuan Li (DMA ’23 in Piano).

Following graduation, Walker plans to pursue a master’s in composition at the University of Michigan.

Congratulations to all our outstanding undergraduate recipients this spring, selected by faculty vote:

Outstanding Graduating Senior—Nelson Walker, Composition
Outstanding Junior—Isabel Goodwin, Bassoon Performance + Composition
Outstanding Sophomore—Sam Jarvis, Violin Performance
Outstanding Freshman—Anna Kallinikos, Trumpet Performance

This spring’s Outstanding Graduating Senior award goes to composition major Nelson Walker. Congratulations to Walker and all our outstanding 2022 grads!

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CU Flute studio celebrates Earth Day with nature-inspired program

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

CU Flute studio celebrates Earth Day with nature-inspired program Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/19/2022 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

To commemorate Earth Day, the CU flute studio will present a program of nature-inspired music on April 22.

Featured selections include music from a variety of composers including Valerie Coleman, Jennifer Higdon, Toru Takemitsu and Assistant Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky.

“Our studio chose to present an Earth Day concert as a way to celebrate the natural world and reflect on our place within the ecosystem,” says junior flute performance student Andrea Kloehn. “The music we’re playing mirrors the diversity of both nature and humanity.”

She adds that—thanks to the support of Music Advisory Board Chair Laurie Hathorn—“we were able to commission two CU student composers to write pieces for this concert, Dianna Link and Conor Abbott Brown.” Their works are “Flutter,” composed by Link, and “We Were Always Wolves,” composed by Brown.

Concludes Kloehn, “The flute studio is excited to premiere these two pieces. ‘Flutter’ is a flute quartet, inspired by the monarch butterfly migration. ‘We Were Always Wolves’ draws on the concept of the wolf pack to create a large-scale work for the whole flute studio.”

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

On April 22, the CU Flute studio will present diverse works by Valerie Coleman, Jennifer Higdon, Toru Takemitsu and Annika Socolofsky to commemorate Earth Day.

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Student life + advice for #FutureBuffs

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Student life + advice for #FutureBuffs Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/03/2022 - 00:00

Isabel Goodwin

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Isabel Goodwin chose to continue her musical and academic career at the University of Colorado Boulder. Currently a third-year student at the College of Music, Goodwin is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in bassoon performance and composition.

In this Q&A, she shares her experience at the College of Music, including how faculty support and inspire her, how to transcend and gain creativity from difficult circumstances, and advice for prospective students on creating a successful portfolio for admission.

What inspires you as a composer?

For me, inspiration has been hard to come by recently. The pandemic took a big toll on my mental health, but it’s also given me the opportunity to have deeper connections with my professors, and talk about the things that really matter to me as a person and as a musician. I’ve definitely drawn a lot of inspiration from my bassoon professor and my composition professors. They’ve given me perspective and have made me a better student, musician and person. I’ve also drawn inspiration from my friends. I actually just had a piano work premiered called Pedro and Indigo that I wrote about two of my best friends!

What opportunities do you get for your works to be performed? And do you get opportunities for commissioned work?

There are lots of opportunities to showcase our compositions, like at the monthly Pendulum New Music concerts. There are also in-house composition awards and commissions that are given out every year. Composition students have the opportunity to write works for professional ensembles like the ~Nois Saxophone Quartet. Also, as you progress in your degree program and meet people at various events, you have opportunities to get your name out there. I just got a commission for a flute quartet from some friends in Wisconsin, which I’m super excited about!

In what ways has the faculty supported you in growing as a composer?

The College of Music faculty is my favorite part of being here. Each year, we switch composition professors so we become well-rounded in our private lesson education. Each of my professors has been immensely supportive of my creative visions and aspirations. Most importantly, they’ve been supportive to me as a person who’s growing and learning to exist in a post-pandemic world. I am immensely grateful to Dr. Pann, Dr. Drumheller and Dr. Theodore for being such important mentors to me these past few years.

What have you done as a composition student at the College of Music that you’re especially proud of and why?

I am most proud of my most recent premiere, a piano four-hands piece called Pedro and Indigo. I had two amazing pianists premiere the work at the October Pendulum New Music concert and I am so proud of the recording! Hearing them play a piece I spent so much time writing reminded me of why I love to compose: I write music for people to listen to and enjoy!

What advice would you give a prospective music student hoping to prepare a successful portfolio?

To any students wanting to create a portfolio to apply to study composition, I would say include your best works, regardless of the type of “ensemble!” It doesn’t have to be only string quartets or piano pieces, it can also be hard rock ballads and techno music. The professors want to see passion and a willingness to learn, so include the things you’re most passionate about!

If you're a #FutureBuff, sign up for a tour of our Imig Music Building, learn more about our BME degrees … and be sure to catch a College of Music performance while you’re on campus!

Isabel Goodwin—a third-year bassoon performance + composition student—shares her College of Music experience, including helpful tips on creating a successful portfolio, how faculty support and inspire her, and how to gain creativity from difficult circumstances.

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Silver and Gold Music scholar’s interdisciplinary approach to music

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Silver and Gold Music scholar’s interdisciplinary approach to music Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/25/2022 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Education bridges science, technology, music and many other disciplines; it helps us to understand the advancement of humanity through time while informing and forming the minds that will change the world. However, education costs are rising everywhere and the College of Music aims to defray those costs.

On average, 75% of College of Music students receive scholarships or other financial aid. The Silver and Gold Music Scholarship Program, specifically, provides financial support to student musicians–including first-generation students and those from low-income and underserved communities.

Jennifer Kaphammer is a recipient of a Silver and Gold Music Scholarship and shares the significance of how it positively impacts her future in music and technology.

Originally from Windsor, Colorado, Kaphammer is a first-year student at our College of Music, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music technology. “CU Boulder has allowed me to more easily pursue both of my passions–music and technology,” she says. “Receiving the scholarship reinforced my decision to commit to CU. It was incredibly comforting to know that there was a community supporting me enough to fund my education.

“This scholarship allows me to fully focus on my studies and music.”

Kaphammer describes the College of Music as an environment fostering collaboration and creativity. “I’m in the percussion studio, studying under the guidance of [Professor of Percussion and Jazz] Douglas Walter and [Percussion Lecturer] Carl Dixon.

“It was amazing to walk into studio on the first day, meeting all of these amazing musicians who are now my studio-mates. Seeing the impressive projects the upperclassmen and my fellow first-year studio-mates were working on was immediately inspiring,” Kaphammer says.

As a well-rounded student and musician, Kaphammer is involved in many extracurricular activities. “In addition to classical music, I also enjoy playing in the Latin Percussion Ensemble, where I’m learning a lot about cultural music,” she says. “I’m also playing the drum set in the Basketball Band. It’s fun to make music with other music students and people from other majors in such an upbeat, enthusiastic environment.”

As a part of the scholarship program, all students receiving financial assistance are invited to the College of Music’s Annual Scholarship Celebration Dinner. Kaphammer explains the importance of community among scholarship recipients: “Attending the Annual Scholarship Celebration Dinner, I was able to connect with students I hadn’t interacted with before, especially graduate students.

“I’ve built a strong connection with graduate students I’m taking lessons from. It’s comforting to know the graduate students who are mentoring many of the underclassmen students like us.”

Kaphammer intends to go into sound design, broadcasting, or hardware development. She’s especially passionate about building technologies that make music more accessible. She hopes to create an easy-to-use software that can be implemented in school systems to help introduce music to kids at young ages, especially those in underserved populations.

Learn more about supporting our students through the Silver and Gold Music Scholarship.

Silver and Gold Music Scholarship recipient Jennifer Kaphammer—a first-year student majoring in music technology—shares how the scholarship impacts and inspires her future in music and technology.

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CU Philharmonia Orchestra features anthem for risk taking, for “that brilliant fire that lives in us all”

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

CU Philharmonia Orchestra features anthem for risk taking, for “that brilliant fire that lives in us all” Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/10/2021 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

On Nov. 15, the CU Philharmonia Orchestra will present a diverse range of repertoire for strings and full orchestra, including a new work by Jessica Mays, Maurice Ravel’s “Ma mère l’Oye” and Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 in D Major/minor, Op. 107.

“How great and refreshing it has been for students to come together this year—to listen and play together as a group again,” says Philharmonia Orchestra Director and Assistant Director of Orchestral Studies Joel Schut, who also conducts the Denver Young Artists Conservatory Orchestra.

“The College of Music is special in that we have two full orchestras,” he continues. “And the Philharmonia Orchestra is unique in that it's primarily comprised of undergraduate students, which provides great leadership opportunities for all instruments—winds are able to play major solo parts and string students are able to step into leadership roles where there might not be as many opportunities in the orchestra comprising primarily graduate students.”

As well, the Philharmonia Orchestra has a strong commitment to programming at least one underrepresented voice on each concert cycle. “I want to expose our students to different styles of music,” explains Schut. “For our November concert, we’ve prepared a brand new piece in a modern style, a classic French-style work and a traditional classical symphony—all requiring different techniques and ways of creating music.”

Specifically, the upcoming program includes Mays’ “Anthem for Go,” Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite” (note the many woodwind solos and the famous violin solo!) and Mendelssohn's four-movement “Reformation” symphony, one of the composer's most-performed scores.

In particular, the Philharmonia Orchestra’s performance of Mays’ “Anthem for Go”—originally commissioned for the Denver Young Artists Conservatory Orchestra—is all about a desire for risk taking and change. Mays puts it this way:

Within my piece, “Anthem for Go,” is an expansion on a theme that for me has embodied the spirit of overcoming hardship and listening to our burning desire for something more, something better. This piece is a tribute to both our heartbreak and resilience—our tears inspiring the conviction to move forward. Our desire to break down those systems that divide and rob us of our rights. It’s about our blind determination to push for something better for ourselves, our communities and our shared place on this miraculous planet. This is an anthem for that brilliant fire that lives in us all.

Schut further encourages concertgoers to listen for the unique voice of each part, marching forward to the end of the piece, bursting with energy and excitement.

Join us!

On Nov. 15, the CU Philharmonia Orchestra will present diverse works by Jessica Mays, Maurice Ravel and Felix Mendelssohn.

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In spite of it all...

Anonymous — Thu, 06 May 2021 17:50:57 +0000

In spite of it all... Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/06/2021 - 11:50

Olivia Lerwick

It’s fair to say that—due to the COVID-19 pandemic—recent months have been difficult for most of us. This year’s Outstanding Students rose to the challenge and modeled the way forward.

Senior flutist Claire Gunsbury—voted by the CU Boulder College of Music faculty as the Outstanding Graduating Senior for Spring 2021—found opportunities to focus on projects close to her heart. She graduates today with a Bachelor of Music degree in flute and the Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship, having worked on a music wellness app for her capstone project; the app aims to help musicians find a way to manage their practice time and their work in a healthy way.

Additionally, the 2017-2021 recipient of the Sher Distinguished Musician Scholarship is also an avid chamber musician who has premiered new student works for flute through the Pendulum New Music series. “CU has given me a real sense of community and has supported me in my different interests," says Gunsbury, who further serves as 2021 teaching artist for the Colorado Lullaby Project. "I’ve been so lucky to have [Professor of Flute] Christina Jennings as my teacher and to have been able to collaborate with so many amazing people. I’m definitely going to miss it here!”

Tune in at 2 p.m. today to hear Gunsbury's speech for this year’s graduating class.

Other students, too, have flourished at the College of Music and in the local community. Izzy Fincher—a junior working toward a Bachelor of Music in guitar, a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and the Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship—interned at Sharps and Flatirons, a Boulder-based classical music blog. “I had my first taste of professional music journalism and I loved it," she says. "In the future, I hope to work part-time in the industry, when I’m not practicing and performing guitar.”

As arts editor for the CU Independent, Fincher further strives to cover diverse, underrepresented artists and creatives in the Boulder area. “This semester, I focused on writing about local AAPI [Asian American and Pacific Islander] creatives who are exploring and representing their identities,” she explains. “As a Japanese-American woman, I feel particularly connected to this work.”

And Mikaela Schindler, a freshman music education major with a choral emphasis, came to CU Boulder in the footsteps of many of her musical mentors. “I knew from my audition day that CU would be my home,” she says. “This year has undoubtedly been the most stressful and craziest year of my life, but I’m so thankful for pushing myself through … and for the music that helped me get there.”

Congratulations to Claire, Izzy and Mikaela!

This year, the College of Music’s Outstanding Students proved that difficulty can be the breeding ground for success.

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Artists for the future

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Artists for the future Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/14/2021 - 00:00

Olivia Lerwick

The mission of the Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) is simple: to equip today’s music students with the skills and tools they need to create sustainable careers in the arts.

In light of how much the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the world as we knew it, this aim is increasingly relevant. The past year has demonstrated that no one is immune to unemployment, and traditional orchestral jobs or roles at opera houses have become even more competitive.

How to minimize the risk of job loss? The ECM—in partnership with the Leeds School of Business—builds on the College of Music’s academic excellence by offering students opportunities to learn more about the business of music and how applied entrepreneurship can expand career versatility.

Among the ECM’s most influential programs is the Undergraduate Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship (UCME), comprising three College of Music courses and three to four courses taught by Leeds School of Business faculty. Students who complete the program graduate with a bachelor's in music, a minor in business and the UCME.

“The certificate program made me think outside of the box and become a much more well-rounded musician,” says violinist and graduating senior Sophia Thaut. “I really feel that I’ve benefited from this program, and I'm sure I'll use the skills I've learned throughout my music career.”

Curtis Sellers, an oboist and fellow graduating senior, agrees: “The certificate program helped me put myself out there and make connections with people I never would have otherwise.”

In their final class, students complete an independent study with ECM Director Jeffrey Nytch. These capstone projects synthesize all they've learned as program participants. To complete their projects, most students reach across disciplines to realize their inspirations and ideas.

Both Thaut and Sellers are working on apps for their capstone projects and have met many app developers and coders along the way.

Specifically, Thaut is partnering with flute student Claire Gunsbury (2021) to create a mindfulness app for musicians. “To be honest, I never thought we'd make it this far,” Thaut says. “Creating an app takes a lot of time and support, but we found so many people in the greater Boulder community who are very generous with their expertise and support for CU students.”

Sellers also found community support and encouragement from his teachers. His app aims to help connect musicians who want to form chamber groups.

“I’ve been able to reach out to computer science professors, as well as work with Dr. Nytch to finish my project," he says. "It’s great to be able to collaborate with people outside of music to make something like this happen.”

The ECM also offers the Arts Administration Certificate for graduate students and brings in many expert speakers to share their insights into the life of an entrepreneurial artist.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship prepares students for cross-disciplinary careers in the arts.

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"I'm pinching myself!"

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:15:55 +0000

"I'm pinching myself!" Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/31/2021 - 13:15

Olivia Lerwick

Each spring, the College of Music recognizes two outstanding students as winners of the college's annual Honors Competition. The competition for these winning spots is fierce and this year was no exception.

Ethan Blake (BM cello), a junior, is this year's undergraduate winner. When asked about his musical selection—performed with collaborative pianist Chen-Fang Hsu—he says, “The Dvořák concerto was one of the first concerti I learned, and it was one of the pieces that really got me into playing cello.

"To be able to play it with an orchestra is both a blessing and a revitalizing experience for any cellist.”

Indeed, the opportunity to perform with an orchestra is rare, which makes winning the Honors Competition all the more impactful.

Anita Dumar (AD violin) is a member of the Ivalas Quartet and winner of the graduate division, having competed with collaborative pianist Hyeji Park. "Winning this competition was such a huge honor," she says. "Our University Symphony is an amazing orchestra and Professor [Gary] Lewis is such an incredible conductor—I’m pinching myself!”

Specifically, Dumar will perform Maurice Ravel’s "Tzigane" next fall. She credits her teacher Harumi Rhodes, associate professor of violin and Takács Quartet artist-in-residence, for providing the courage and support to tackle it.

To enjoy the winners' performances in the fall semester, visit cupresents.com for details.

Every year, talented students across the College of Music vie for a chance to perform with the CU Symphony Orchestra the following school year. Meet the 2021 winners of this year's Honors Competition.

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Striving for change, equitable learning

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Striving for change, equitable learning Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/09/2021 - 00:00

Tiara Stephan

According to a Civis Analytics poll, between 15 million and 26 million Americans participated in protests for social justice last year. As our country faced a renewed awakening, Asha Romeo joined the call for accountability and equity right here at the College of Music.

Born in Ethiopia and brought to Boulder as an 18-month-old adoptee, Romeo grew up in a musical family. “Both my parents are musicians,” she says. “My mom is a retired violin teacher and performer. And my dad, who's a lawyer, is also a tenor who earned a master's in vocal performance.”

Romeo, a soprano, started voice lessons at 13. And by her senior year of high school, she knew she wanted to study music. After a semester at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Romeo further realized her passion for music education. So she moved back to Boulder to pursue a dual degree in vocal performance and music education at the College of Music. Romeo is currently a junior.

As soon as she settled here, she became involved with the Diverse Musicians’ Alliance (DiMA). “I applied for the DiMA scholarship, and since my first year, DiMA has offered a supportive space to be in,” she says.

"Besides our biweekly meetings, we put on Persevering Legacy, an event featuring music composed by historically marginalized, diverse female composers. But that was the extent of our activist activity.”

As the country became engulfed by Black Lives Matter protests and emphatic demands for racial equity, however, DiMA gained momentum as an organization empowering underrepresented student artists at the College of Music. Romeo credits one of DiMA’s advisors, Diversity and Outreach Coordinator Alma Ramos, with helping to kick off DiMA’s activism work.

“We've had a lot of very honest and safe conversations, which I hadn’t experienced before we had Alma,” continues Romeo. “It's been significant and reassuring to have someone on the administrative side whose goal is to truly listen to us and our problems, and to hear what we need.”

Last summer, Romeo joined other students and alumni in a petition to the College of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance to take accountability for past missteps and to implement anti-racism policies in their respective departments and schools.

“The call to action was initially created by a friend, Rita DiSibio, who's in the theater department,” Romeo explains. “I asked if I could be part of this effort because I noticed they didn't have a representative from the music school yet.”

In the months since the public petition, the College of Music has worked to address many of the issues Romeo, DiSibio and their peers have raised—from establishing an endowment fund to support equity and inclusion efforts to creating several committees and task forces purposed to rewrite curricula and present events that spotlight underrepresented populations in the music community.

In addition to DiMA, Romeo is a member of CU IDEAS for the Performing Arts, a student-run group that cultivates systemic change in performing arts departments campuswide. CU IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility for the Stage) hosts open forums, workshops, Zoom collaborations and events to create a supportive learning environment for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color) students.

While Romeo is hopeful about the changes many departments on campus have made to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and justice for students, she emphasizes that there's still much more work to be done. “I hope to see more transparency between the student body and faculty and administrators, and an understanding that this is a student-focused movement,” she concludes. “We're having conversations, which is the first step.”

Student leader Asha Romeo is working to create a diverse and equitable learning environment for underrepresented students at the College of Music.

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The power of promise

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 22:54:14 +0000

The power of promise Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/02/2021 - 15:54

Olivia Lerwick

It’s no secret that a university education is one of the strongest indicators of a person’s career prospects and earning potential, but it’s also no secret that paying full tuition is financially impossible for many deserving students and their families.

Indeed, on average, 75% of students at the college receive scholarships or financial aid. Recognizing this ongoing need, the College of Music new Silver and Gold Scholarship Program supports students from all backgrounds in their academic pursuits.

Jessica Quah, a PhD candidate at the College of Music, reflects on how scholarships have shaped and defined her academic experience: “I was fortunate to receive a full tuition-and-board scholarship for my undergrad studies, which enabled me to come to the United States and eventually make my way to CU Boulder. Without that generosity, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Quah, originally from Malaysia, was drawn to the University of Colorado Boulder for its distinguished musicology program, and the opportunity to pursue her interest in both ethnomusicology and historical musicology, although she began her career in piano performance.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to work with the professors here,” she adds. “I also find that I’m always learning from my classmates and that CU Boulder really encourages a high academic standard while keeping an open-minded, welcoming environment.”

Ingrid Anderson, current president of the undergraduate music student government, also appreciates CU Boulder's scholarship support and academic rigor. A double major in violin performance and neuroscience, she plans to apply to medical school and believes that her studies in music will help her succeed in the medical field.

“Music requires not only a high degree of inner drive and discipline, but also the ability to work in groups like an orchestra to create something bigger than yourself,” Anderson explains. “It strikes me that people working in the medical field also need these qualities to succeed.”

Pursuing a double major in such disparate fields isn’t possible at many schools, but Anderson says her teachers in both disciplines have been very supportive.

“I came in as a violin performance major, but soon found that I wanted to explore my interests in the sciences, as well,” she says. “My scholarship has given me the opportunity to figure out what I want to do and go for it, even if what I end up doing professionally isn’t what I originally came here to do.”

Anderson and Quah represent many extraordinary students who benefit from CU Boulder scholarships. It's in this spirit that the Silver and Gold Scholarship Program aims to promote equity by helping diverse student musicians follow their dreams and realize a world-class musical education at the College of Music.

The new Silver and Gold Scholarship Program commits to promoting excellence and equity at the College of Music.

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