'53

Gretel Shanley '55 (MM) writes that she has appeared in recitals with harpist Carmen Dragon on the island of Kaua'i, where she plays at various other events as well. She was first flute in the Maui Symphony in 1998 and '99. Other concerts include welcoming off-island students and visitors to "Happy World" Peace Pilgrim library and special music programs to encourage peaceful parenting and to enrich the lives of young children.

'55

Samuel Fricano writes that he had a reunion in mid-September 2001 with his trumpet teacher, Sidney Mear '41, '49 (MM), former professor of trumpet. The two had not met in more than 20 years although they both lived in the same area in Florida. They "had a delightful day reminiscing about the Eastman years and events of recent years," Samuel writes. . . . Ernest Murphy Jr. (MM) gave a recital in Orlando, Fla., as part of a Stetson University School of Music alumni concert. . . . Gretel Shanley (MM) (see '53).

'57

Sydney Hodkinson '58 (MM) sends an update. In 2000, he premiered Wind Sculptures for marimba with Gwendolyn Burgett '01 as soloist, and in 2001, he premiered A Friendly Gift for solo piano. He also published several pieces of music, including Snippets, five bagatelles for sax quartet, in 2001. He was scheduled to teach composition at Indiana University and return to the Aspen Music Festival this summer to conduct the Contemporary Ensemble.

'58

Sydney Hodkinson (MM) (see '57).

'59

Ronald Carter returned to Eastman for a master class, lecture, and a concert in November 2001. Appearing on about 3,000 albums, he is one of the most recorded musicians in any genre. He has played bass with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Wes Montgomery, Aretha Franklin, and others. . . . Katherine Hoover's Double Concerto for two violins and string orchestra was performed in Carnegie Hall on December 28, 2001. In addition, a CD of her composition titled Kokopeli was released with Katherine on flute. She was a featured artist at the University of California SummerArts program, giving master classes.

'63

Justin DiCioccio directed the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Ensemble in Tango for an Elegant Man in February.

'69

Steven Wasson '71 (MM) writes that his music will be sold over the Internet through Allegro Publishing-Graphics at www.allegropub.com. His work is the first by a living composer offered online by the company.

'71

Eugene Bonelli (PhD), president of the Dallas Symphony Association since 1993, planned to retire from the position in June. . . . Steven Wasson (MM) (see '69.

'72

Douglas Ahlstedt (MM) was the special guest performer at a production sponsored by the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, entitled "Opera Goes Prime Time," in November 2001. An associate professor of voice at Carnegie Mellon University, he also spent a week on campus as an artist-in-residence.. . . Harold McAullilffe (Mas), an instructional area leader for music for Pittsford (N.Y.) Central Schools, joined the board of directors for Young Audiences of Rochester. . . . Theodore Piltzecker has released his album, Standing Alone, featuring his music for the solo vibraphone.

'73

Sandra Dackow '87 (PhD) was awarded the silver medal in the 2001 Vahktang Jordania/New Millenium International Conducting Competition in Kharkov, Ukraine, the only American and only woman to progress to the medal round. With the medal, she was awarded a cash prize and a return engagement to present a full concert with the Kharkov Philharmonic next season. "It was a terrific experience working with the Kharkov Philharmonic and gaining insights from colleagues from so many other countries and cultures," she writes. . . . Anthony Iannaccone (PhD) sends a career update. He was awarded an Aaron Copland Fund Grant to record a new CD of his works on Albany Records as conductor of the Janacek Philharmonic. His String Quartet No. 3, which was awarded first prize in the Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation Chamber Music Competition, was released on an Albany Records CD of his music for strings. His Waiting for Sunrise on the Sound was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and was selected as one of five finalists from 1,151 works submitted from 62 countries in the Masterprize International Competition.

'78

Michael Carney (MM) is a professor in the music department at California State University at Long Beach.

'80

Peter DuBois has been appointed assistant professor of sacred music and director of the Sacred Music Diploma Program at Eastman. He continues to serve full time as director of music and organist of Rochester's Third Presbyterian Church, a position he has held since 1991. In October, he was pursuing performance and study opportunities in France.

'83

Renee Fleming (Mas) is one of the celebrity world's "best dressed" in 2001, according to the annual list compiled by Mr. Blackwell. . . . Paul Sportelli is the music director of the Shaw Festival, a duty that requires re-orchestrating big musicals for a smaller band and composing music for plays. He's also in the pop band J-Paul.

'84

Elizabeth Blades-Zeller (MM), '93 (DMA) sends an update. She is in her eighth year as associate professor of voice and music education at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, where she is also coordinator of voice and director of Heidelberg Opera. Her book, Singing with Your Whole Self: The Feldenkrais Method and Voice, was released last year, and a new book, A Spectrum of Voices: Prominent American Voice Teachers Discuss Teaching Singing, is due out this summer. On sabbatical for the spring semester, she says she was traveling through Europe and attending the International Congress of Voice Teachers conference in Helsinki. . . . Pamela Howland (DMA) quit her teaching job at Wake Forest University about three years ago to pursue a career in solo performing, chamber music, and recording. Last year she presented seven major concerts, and she has released five CDs. . . . Paul Smith Jr. (MM) was hired as principal of Bolton High School in Connecticut in November 2001.

'85

Maria Schneider (MM) was named arranger of the year in the annual readers poll in Down Beat magazine. . . . Richard Zielinski (MM), artistic director of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, conducted the chorus and vocal soloists and the Florida Orchestra in a rendition of Handel's Messiah in December 2001.

'86

Audrey Cupples sends an update. She is a saxophonist in the U.S. Marine Band and has been promoted twice. In July 2001, the band performed in Switzerland for the WASBE convention, and last fall they toured the Southeast states. Her solo CD, Sunshine and Tears, was positively reviewed in the May/June issue of The Saxophone Journal. More information on that album can be found at www.dibida.com. In August 2001, she became a Yamaha artist and wrote her first educational article for the company.

'87

Sandra Dackow (PhD) (see '73).

'88

Dean O'Brien '91 (MM) sends an update. He is living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he is an instructor of viola and violin at Mount Royal College Conservatory and violinist of the University of Calgary String Quartet.

'90

John Hollenbeck '91 (MM), a percussionist, composer, and bandleader, has released his first three CDs, No Images, The Claudia Quintet, and Quartet Lucy. While all three discs share some elements, they also provide a spectrum of the composer's jazz and improvisational music.

'91

John Hollenbeck (MM) (see '90). . . . Dean O'Brien (MM) (see '88).

'92

John Cummins (DMA) is choirmaster and organist for Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Ky. . . . ZuZu's Petals, composed of Ingrid Gordon and Anthea Kreston, premiered a new work for violin and marimba by Peter Moravec, titled Zu-Zu's Petals, February 9. . . . The world premiere of Spencerport Voyage, composed by Paul Stuart (MM), was presented by the Cosgrove Middle School Concert Band in April 2001, and his Crossing the Bridge of Sorrow for string quartet, piano, and clarinet was premiered in October 2001 in a performance that featured Margaret Leenhouts '93 (DMA). Both pieces were commissioned by The Commission Project.

'93

Elizabeth Blades-Zeller (DMA) (see '84). . . . Jennifer Newell is executive director of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

'95

Peter Fletcher (MM) was scheduled to perform a program titled "The Intimate Guitar" at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta in March. The program featured a selection from his CD, The Art of Classical Guitar. . . . Jin Kim (MM) conducts the Hingham Symphony Orchestra in Boston.

'98

Jonathan Arevalo Coo (MM) sends an update. He performed a concert with violinist Melissa Lopez-Exmundo in Quezon City, the Philippines. He performed European and Asian music with sopranos Elizabeth and Teresa Ancheta to promote an appreciation of Filipino heritage at the Lyceum in the Philippines. He also performed a series of outreach concerts for students in that country. He is pursuing studies in foreign service and public policy in the Philippines and was featured in an event promoting the Smart Symphonies CD, which promotes the impact of the arts and classical music on babies.

'00

Jerseyband, a group of performers from Rochester that includes Christopher Vatalaro on drums, Josh Valleau on keyboards, Brent Madsen '01 on trumpet, Matthew Blanchard '01 on saxophone, and Alexander Hamlin '01 on saxophone, released their second album, Christmasband, in December. The album of holiday music is played in what band members describe as "aggressive instrumental" music.

'01

Kristian Bezuidenhout, a pianist who is known for his unique "early-music" style, performed with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra in November 2001.

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