Class Notes

Eastman School of Music

1951

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society celebrated the 85th birthday of former Philadelphia Orchestra percussionist Alan Abel last November. Among those performing in the Alan Abel 85th Birthday Concert were Bob Becker ’69 and Bill Cahn ’68, ’71 (MM) of the percussion ensemble Nexus.

1968

Bill Cahn ’71 (MM) (see ’51).

1969

Bob Becker (see ’51).

1971

Bill Cahn (MM) (see ’51).

1973

Brian Schober ’80 (DMA) (see ’69 College).

1980

Brian Schober (DMA) (see ’69 College).

1982

Clarinetist Diane Gringas (MM) writes that she joined the Central Band of the Canadian Forces, in Ottawa, last July.

1983

Diane Belcher (MM) has been named music director at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hanover, New Hampshire. . . . Renée Fleming (MM) makes her Broadway debut this spring in the comedy Living on Love. The play opens in April at Longacre Theatre in midtown Manhattan. Also, last fall Renée posed with the Eastman-based Lilac Piano Trio when she and the trio performed at the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra’s “An Evening with Renée Fleming” Opening Night Gala. Pictured from left to right are pianist Tarin Supprakorn ’13 (MM), who is pursuing a doctorate of musical arts in piano performance and literature; violinist and Lilac Piano Trio founder Gabrielle Monachino ’15; Renée; and cellist Mark Yee, who’s pursuing a master’s degree in performance and literature.

1989

Conductor Brenda Leach (DMA) has published her first book, Looking and Listening: Conversations between Modern Art and Music (Rowman & Littlefield). She’s a visiting conductor and organist in the music department at Lebanon Valley College for the 2014–15 academic year.

1990

Mairi Cooper ’92 (MM) was named Pennsylvania’s 2015 Teacher of the Year in January. She was selected by the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year from among 13 finalists. The competition includes K-12 teachers across disciplines. Mairi teaches Advanced Placement music theory, orchestra, piano, world music, and the history of rock and roll at Fox Chapel Area High School near Pittsburgh. She also chairs the music department and is director of the school’s orchestra.

1996

Daren Fuster has been named director of operations and artistic administration for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

2001

Susan Babcock writes that she gave her lecture “Horn Help!” to music educators at the New York State School Music Association’s All-State convention in Rochester last December. She teaches middle school band and performs on Long Island.

2007

Richard Miserendino (see ’07 College).

2008

Jazz saxophonist Shauli Einav (MM) will tour Japan for the first time starting in May.

2013

Tarin Supprakorn (MM) (see ’83).

2015

Gabrielle Monachino (see ’83).