Staff

The musical talents of College of Music staff members

Mariefaith Lane — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:25:13 +0000

The musical talents of College of Music staff members Mariefaith Lane Fri, 12/12/2025 - 10:25

Kathryn Bistodeau

It’s well known that the CU �� College of Music is home to incredibly talented faculty teaching passionate, gifted students. Less well known is just how many staff members have musical magic up their sleeves, too.

In fact, many of our staff earned music degrees themselves and remain actively involved in music—from playing in local orchestras to teaching lessons, composing or enthusiastically attending music events. In the first of a series spotlighting some of our musical staff members, meet Ensembles Program Coordinator Rachelle Crowell, CU Presents Director of Marketing + Public Relations Laima Haley, Media Specialist Dustin Rumsey and Assistant Dean for Advancement Andrew Todd:

Crowell performing with the �� Chamber Orchestra.

Rachelle Crowell earned bachelor’s and DMA degrees at CU �� and—for more than three years—now serves as the College of Music’s ensembles program coordinator. In this role, Crowell handles logistics for all of our large ensembles.

“Coming straight from my DMA in 2022, the College of Music felt like home to me. When I saw that a position was open, it felt like the right fit at the right time,” she says. “Being able to give back to the college that helped cultivate who I am as a person and as a musician—it’s just really fulfilling.”

Crowell is still heavily involved in performing in the area, recently subbing with the �� Philharmonic and the Colorado Symphony, and even traveling to New York City to perform with the �� Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, she’s an accomplished teacher, maintaining a private studio of 20 students and coaching chamber groups at the College of Music. This spring, she’s also stepping in to assist teaching students of Professor of Flute Christina Jennings while she’s on sabbatical.

“What I love about my role is the flexibility. Each day looks so different—I can do ensemble admin work, then go teach for a little bit and then wrap up my evening at an orchestra rehearsal. It’s like this perfect buffet of the things I love,” she adds.

Crowell advises future music graduates to trust that their skills are varied and transferrable. “I think for us as musicians, we can get in a mindset of ‘My skills are to sit down and play my instrument,’ but so much of what we learn as musicians carries over,” she shares. “It’s communication, it’s collaboration, it’s all of the hours of hard work that we do—the dedication. I think these skills are sought after in the job market, regardless of your career path.”

Haley in her traditional Lithuanian folk costume.
Photo: Eric Weber.

Laima Haley began her College of Music career in 1998. She’s also been playing the violin since age 4. When she discovered fiddling in college, she fell headfirst into the world of both Eastern European and bluegrass and old time styles.

For her, working with colleagues in the College of Music who are also musicians makes “a huge difference,” even if they don’t have classical music training.

“They understand our industry really deeply,” explains Haley. “I know we think about music as art, and of course it is, but it’s also an industry. So to understand, what is the work of performing artists? How are we engaging our community? How are we talking about it? Having that perspective and experience really helps.”

Haley is closely connected to the local music scene, currently playing with several groups including Planina: Songs of Eastern Europe, The Rusty Gears Band and a bluegrass group called Smorgasgrass.

“For the Eastern European stuff, that’s my heritage, so it kind of makes sense in a way. I spent a year living in Lithuania, my family is Lithuanian,” says Haley. “The bluegrass and old time music—other than living in the United States, I have no family connection with that. But when I heard it, I thought, this rocks so much! I love this. I can’t stop listening to this.”

Music making introduced Haley to new people and communities that she treasures. Most of all, she wants to encourage people to rekindle their own love for the art—wherever you are in life, whatever your skill or experience.

“I just want to remind people that even if you don’t have a music degree or maybe you have a music degree from a long time ago, it doesn’t mean you can’t pick it up and start something later on,” she says. “I want to encourage people to find a community and jump into it, even if you think you’re not good enough. There’s a whole world of connection and joy of music that could open to you.”

Rumsey performing with the CU �� Brazilian Bateria percussion ensemble.

Everyone in our college knows Dustin Rumsey (BM ‘09, composition): In his decade working here, he’s demonstrated that he can solve any technological challenge. Rumsey sees to classroom technology needs and leads a team that livestreams College of Music concerts and recitals.

“The College of Music is a place where people are passionate about what they do and it’s a really positive environment,” he says. “A shared passion for our mission is clear, and really tangible.”

While earning his degree from the College of Music, Rumsey also earned a music technology certificate studying with Kevin Harbison, the college’s recording engineer, who would turn out to be his boss.

These days, Rumsey plays piano for fun and occasionally applies his composing and arranging skills to create accessible music for people he’s performing with; until recently, he also taught piano lessons. This fall, Rumsey joined the college’s Brazilian Bateria ensemble, performing with them last month.

He views his music background as a way to bond with faculty, staff and students alike. “When you have a faculty member whose main passion is music, when they learn that you share some of that experience and passion they light up a bit and it can create connection in the work environment. And then staff to staff, you have a really great shared experience and common background.”

Todd performing at a house concert in Chicago with Northwestern horn faculty Gail Williams.

Andrew Todd came to CU �� by way of the Grand Teton Music Festival, Aspen Public Radio and even a stint as a professional soccer player. Through it all, he never stopped making music.

Also an alum (DMA ’05, piano), Todd continues to keep music in his life, performing and recording whenever he gets the chance.

“There hasn’t been a time when I was like, I quit,” Todd says. “I certainly don't perform as much as I did before COVID, but I have shifted to making more recordings for streaming platforms which has been liberating and rewarding in its own regard.”

To him, the college’s universal musician approach to our mission is relatable, practical and more common than one might think. “I’ve actually found myself sometimes reminding people that developing universal musicians is demystifying a tradition we’ve had for hundreds of years. Musicians have commonly had more than one career path,” he says.

In his current position, Todd explains that his training as a performer has helped him with the preparation necessary to tackle large projects or presentations. “What I’ve found—even being on stage and speaking to 500 people about music—is that so much of what I do is about preparation,” he shares. “As a performer, you end up being more comfortable in those settings.

“The other thing you learn quickly is that you need other people. You really can’t fundraise by yourself, even if it’s a solo concert—you need a lot of collaboration and support. If you think that you’re going anywhere meaningful by going it alone, forget it.”

That collaborative element of both music making and fundraising is something he especially appreciates. “Music can be this middle space where people get together. People by and large can put their differences aside.”

Learn about the College of Music’s universal musician approach

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Faculty Tuesdays event spotlights songwriting, individual expression

Mariefaith Lane — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:14:58 +0000

Faculty Tuesdays event spotlights songwriting, individual expression Mariefaith Lane Mon, 11/10/2025 - 14:14

Adam Goldstein + Sabine Kortals Stein

Associate Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky and Associate Teaching Professor of Composition Mike Barnett are dedicated educators at CU ��’s College of Music who also play other roles outside of their status as professors.

Namely, both Barnett and Socolofsky are actively engaged composers and singer-songwriter artists who practice what they preach to their students when it comes to self-expression and creativity through music.

This week’s Faculty Tuesdays event, Nov. 11, offers the duo the chance to spotlight their singer-songwriter sides for our campus and community concertgoers. More broadly, the performance will represent the ways that the College of Music is evolving: Even as Barnett and Socolofsky bring their original compositions to the stage, opportunities for students’ self-expression as musicians, songwriters and artists are continually expanding.

“We were excited when Mike and Annika proposed their event for the Faculty Tuesdays series because it gives us the chance to more fully highlight the diversity of work being done at the CU �� College of Music,” says CU Presents Executive Director Andrew Metzroth. “It also gave us an opportunity to stretch the boundaries of what can happen in Grusin Music Hall.”

Specifically, Metzroth helped support audio engineering and supplemental lighting—as well as the extra funds needed to support a rock-style concert. CU Presents in general manages event promotions and programs including for all Faculty Tuesday events.

“Mike and I are both so excited to bring songwriting to the Faculty Tuesdays series,” says Socolofsky. The event will feature 10 of her original songs as well as Socolofsky’s queer, country and Western alter-ego EmmyJean Jenkins.

“We’re starting two brand-new degree programs here at the College of Music: Songwriting and Music Production. We hope we’re the first of many songwriting Faculty Tuesdays that showcase the ways that the college’s offerings are branching out.”

Socolofsky will be joined onstage by an ensemble that includes Trace Hybertson on fiddle, isele phoenix harper on keyboards, alumnus Ilan Blanck (MM ’23) on guitar and Nicole Patrick on drums for a program including “a rather thorough needling of the patriarchy along with quite a few jokes about men named Brad ... or Brock ... or Brice ... or some name like that.”

Barnett’s portion of the program will draw on collaborations with Jazz Studies Lecturer Enion Pelta-Tiller on vocals and fiddle, Fritz Gearhart on fiddle and Assistant Teaching Professor of Percussion Carl Dixon on percussion for a showcase of eight of his original songs (plus one cover).

Barnett is an active musician in the �� community and beyond; he’s a regular attendee of local songwriting sessions and performs his self-described brand of “Outlaw Folk” in open mics and community performances. Like Socolofsky, he views this event as a chance not only to bring his music to the CU �� campus, but to contribute to a deeper shift—in terms of focus, access and expression—in the entire community.

“We’re launching these new degree programs and we’re also in the process of building a multitrack studio,” he adds. “That’s going to open doors for all of our students. I think these efforts all speak loudly to what we’re doing here, building a more diverse and inclusive body of artistry.

“I think these efforts all speak loudly to what we’re doing here, building a more diverse and inclusive body of artistry.”

“Music belongs to everyone. There are so many voices that traditionally haven’t been heard in academia. It’s an important part of our mission—and the college’s universal musician approach to achieving that mission—to do these things.”

It feels fitting, then, that Barnett’s only cover tune during the performance will be Bob Seger’s 1971 folk ballad, “Turn the Page.”

As Barnett reiterates, this week’s event is part of a broader effort. “We’re helping to write a new chapter.”

Associate Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky and Associate Teaching Professor of Composition Mike Barnett are actively engaged composers and singer-songwriter artists who practice what they preach to their students when it comes to self-expression and creativity through music.

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John Davis reappointed as dean of the College of Music

Mariefaith Lane — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:04:15 +0000

John Davis reappointed as dean of the College of Music Mariefaith Lane Wed, 09/03/2025 - 06:04

Sabine Kortals Stein

The �� College of Music is pleased to announce to our students, staff, faculty, alumni and community of supporters that CU �� Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Huff Stevens has reappointed John Davis as dean of the College of Music for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026!

“I look forward to working with Dean Davis on continuing to improve the faculty and student experience in the College of Music, while also maximizing its scholarly and creative impact on Colorado, the nation and the world,” says Stevens.

“In reflecting on what we’ve accomplished thus far and the many opportunities that lie ahead, I’m struck by the fact that my initial priority as dean—to deepen a sense of culture, collaboration and community, both within the college and beyond our walls—is even more meaningful today than when I first interviewed for this role,” says Davis, who was named dean of the College of Music by former CU �� Provost Russ Moore, effective Jan. 1, 2021. “In particular, I believe that our newly established universal musician approach is key to achieving the college’s mission to inspire artistry and discovery, together.”

He adds, “To develop multiskilled, multifaceted professionals who are well-equipped to positively impact a complex, challenging world, we’re energetic in our pursuit of interdisciplinary, cross-campus collaborations. Our students today are offered increasingly flexible opportunities—including an expanding array of double majors, minors, degree emphases, certificates and microcredentials—to prepare for broadly based, sustainable career options.”

Aligned with University of Colorado President Saliman’s “Colorado Way”—which underscores the value of collaboration and teamwork toward expanding our collective reach and amplifying our direct impact on individuals and communities—Davis notes the College of Music’s ongoing refinement of strategic focus areas including: A relevant, adaptable curriculum and robust real-world opportunities for students; ensuring faculty and staff success; and emphasizing well-being, wellness and resilience among every member of our college community.

Adds Davis, “In a climate of unknowns, the profound purpose of music—to move us, to unify and remind us of our shared humanity, and to connect us across backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and generations—remains timeless, as does the power of music to inspire curiosity, compassion and wonder.

“I’m grateful and enthusiastic to continue to lead the important work that’s already well underway at our College of Music.”

Congratulations, Dean Davis!

The College of Music is pleased to announce that Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Huff Stevens has reappointed John Davis as dean of the College of Music for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026!

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Celebrate + aspire

Mariefaith Lane — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:59:06 +0000

Celebrate + aspire Mariefaith Lane Thu, 03/13/2025 - 09:59

John Davis

On March 2, the College of Music’s talented Opera Theater Singers once again delivered outstanding performances at our Eklund Opera Program gala at the Academy University Hill. We were honored to welcome Chancellor Schwartz for the first time at this annual fundraising event that aims to sustain and support the arts in our community. Pictured above (left to right): Andrew Todd, Assistant Dean for Advancement; Justin Schwartz, CU �� Chancellor; Leigh Holman, Eklund Opera Program Director; Paul + Kristina Eklund, naming donors of the Eklund Opera Program; and John Davis, College of Music Dean.

At the College of Music’s recent Eklund Opera gala, Chancellor Justin Schwartz described the magic of music as a hallmark of human connection; of a civilized society; and as its own kind of renewable energy.

More broadly, in the words of Ukrainian-born writer Joseph Conrad, “All creative art is magic, is evocation of the unseen in forms persuasive, enlightening, familiar and surprising, for the edification of mankind.”

As I reflect on the first months of 2025, I’m struck by the countless ways in which our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters embody these values. In these disorienting times, I’m heartened that our mission is more relevant than ever—as is my commitment to continue to celebrate and support our students and colleagues in their transformative work and artistic aspirations.

For example, I encourage you to discover how Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education Margaret Berg is creating sustainability through music education, ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating human and environmental sustainability into music education, the College of Music is preparing students to make an impact on our interconnected society. Related, two graduate students—Nicholas Felder and Ian Gunnarschja—received grants to support innovative projects that promote equity in music and wellness among neurodiverse musicians.

Creative courage and unique expression at our college are further personified by Enion Pelta-Tiller—a master’s candidate in jazz performance and pedagogy—whose ambitious, experimental approach to music brings together a wealth of coexisting influences and helped shape our new cross-genre ensembles and curricula. And, in case you missed it, our Distinguished Professor of Piano David Korevaar recently shared a delayed tribute to Beethoven’s semiquincentennial birthday—a labor of love and creative fortitude in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing five years ago.

Additionally, more than 100 guest artists, ensembles and lecturers have energized our classrooms and graced our stages so far this academic year—most recently including Kennedy Center honoree and five-time Grammy Award-winner Renée Fleming, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Diné composer, musician and sound installation artist Raven Chacon; as well as visiting scholars in our Musicology + Music Theory Colloquium Series and local luminaries like alumnus Gregory Walker—son of the late Helen Walker-Hill and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker—who presented a master class last week as part of our annual Persevering Legacy events showcasing works by women composers including those from historically marginalized groups. Also inspiring to our community this month was a musicians’ workshop led by Blues icon (and �� resident) Otis Taylor, a Colorado Music Hall of Famer.

For all these reasons among many more, I remain steadfast in our resolve to inspire artistry and discovery, together.

With gratitude,

John Davis
Dean, College of Music

"At the College of Music’s recent Eklund Opera gala, Chancellor Justin Schwartz described the magic of music as a hallmark of human connection; of a civilized society; and as its own kind of renewable energy. As I reflect on the first months of 2025, I’m struck by the countless ways in which our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters embody these values. In these disorienting times, I’m heartened that our mission is more relevant than ever—as is my commitment to continue to celebrate and support our students and colleagues in their transformative work and artistic aspirations."

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Distinguished professor shares delayed tribute to Beethoven’s semiquincentennial birthday

Mariefaith Lane — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 18:33:44 +0000

Distinguished professor shares delayed tribute to Beethoven’s semiquincentennial birthday Mariefaith Lane Tue, 03/04/2025 - 11:33

Adam Goldstein

Photo credit: Manfred Fuß

The timing was unfortunate for Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebration.

Commemorations of the fêted composer came in 2020 (scholars’ best guess at his birthday is 1770), just as the world was shutting down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—and opportunities to experience the great artist’s music and legacy in person disappeared.

So David Korevaar, distinguished professor of piano at CU ��’s College of Music, sought alternative ways to honor Beethoven’s oeuvre in the face of lockdowns and social distancing.

“I found myself, like many of us, at something of a loss—no concerts, no in-person teaching, isolated at home,” Korevaar recalls now. “I had been thinking of filling in the gaps in Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas—there were a few that I had never played—and that inspired me to begin the process of playing through all of them and sharing ‘quick and dirty’ video recordings from home on my YouTube channel.”

Those videos (which are still available on Korevaar’s channel) were only the beginning. Korevaar found himself intrigued by the prospect of recording the complete sonatas properly and—in his role at the College of Music—he realized that he had the resources to realize that vision. With support from the college's C.W. Bixler Family Foundation Faculty Initiatives Fund, Korevaar set about doing justice to Beethoven’s timeless music.

“I talked with Kevin Harbison—the College of Music’s fantastic recording engineer—with Kawai America and with the college’s scheduling guru Brooke Balbuena to set up sessions in our gorgeous new Chamber Hall,” Korevaar says, adding that Kawai came through with a loan to the college of a 9-foot Shigeru Kawai concert grand for a year. “We recorded in a series of sessions that ended in July 2024 with all 32 sonatas completed.”

The next step was finding a way to share roughly 11 hours of music with the world. Enter Prospero Classical, a Swiss orchestral music label that offered Korevaar and his crew a thoroughly modern and multifaceted way to distribute the music. On March 7, the label will release a two-CD physical release of highlights from the sonatas followed by a series of digital-only albums of the sonatas issued chronologically.

“The two CDs will feature three sonatas from Beethoven’s ‘heroic’ period—so called because of the composition of the Eroica Symphony during this time: The Sonata Op. 53 (‘Waldstein’), Sonata Op. 54, Sonata Op. 57 (‘Appassionata’) as well as the ‘Andante favori,’ a movement originally intended to be part of the ‘Waldstein’ sonata,” Korevaar explains. “The second CD has two more sonatas, both of which Beethoven suggested be published as written for the ‘Hammerklavier,’ a German word for piano.”

All of the recorded sonatas (with the exception of Op. 106) are also up on Spotify as EPs; those are accessible here.

This approach offers a perfect way to share Beethoven’s music in the era of streaming and Spotify; it also offers a way to fulfill a musical mission that first came to Korevaar during the pandemic.

“I really wanted and, in a way, needed to do these properly,” he adds. “To record professionally, in a beautiful space, on a beautiful piano, with a first-rate engineer.”

Distinguished Professor of Piano David Korevaar found an alternative to celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing five years ago.

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In memoriam: Dean Emeritus Robert Fink

Mariefaith Lane — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:51:00 +0000

In memoriam: Dean Emeritus Robert Fink Mariefaith Lane Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:51

Our College of Music community is deeply saddened by the recent passing—on Dec. 7, 2024—of Dean Emeritus Robert (Bob) Fink.

Serving as dean from 1978 to 1993, Fink’s first initiatives at CU �� included the creation of a concerts office (now CU Presents) to manage all aspects of the college’s performance and publicity activities; and the acquisition of control of Macky Auditorium and the Artist Series.

His long-serving administration also saw the establishment of our American Music Research Center and the onboarding of our quartet in residence—the world-renowned Takács Quartet, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.

We’ll be sharing much more about Fink’s inspiring impact on our college—and a celebration of his legacy—in the new year.

Robert Russell Fink obituary

Our College of Music community is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Dean Emeritus Robert (Bob) Fink.

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Rudy Betancourt named director of CU �� Artist Series

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:48:48 +0000

Rudy Betancourt named director of CU �� Artist Series Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/04/2024 - 08:48

Clay Bonnyman Evans

After almost 15 years at the helm of Macky Auditorium at the ��, Rudy Betancourt has also been named the new director of the College of Music’s long-running Artist Series which has brought the finest jazz, classical, world music and dance performers to town for more than eight decades.

Betancourt—a native of Venezuela and an accomplished classical guitarist—will continue to serve as director at Macky which welcomes more than 100,000 people to over 100 events every season. He says adding the beloved series to the venue’s portfolio has the potential to turn over a new page for both.

“The Artist Series has been evolving for decades with an unparalleled cultural impact,” he says. “Having the Artist Series within Macky’s portfolio helps the venue to be a presenter as much as a facility for rent.”

Betancourt says the Artist Series will continue to delight long-time patrons as it also seeks to expand and diversify its programming.

“The series will still include dance, classical music, jazz, performing arts from all over the world, as well as new genres. Keeping true to its well-established mission while feeling the cultural pulse in �� will help determine its evolution,” he says. “There will be wonderful choices for our legacy and new audiences to enjoy.”

When CU Presents Executive Director Joan Braun retired at the end of June after 30 years, it was determined that it made sense to separate the curation of the Artist Series from the operations of CU Presents. Braun and CU �� College of Music Dean John Davis recommended Betancourt to be the Artist Series director as the most natural choice.

“Rudy is an excellent, accomplished musician and he has impeccable taste and awareness of the music scene,” Braun says. “As director of Macky, he also is very aware of audience tastes and preferences, and what they respond to. He can see some different pathways and possibilities and I’m excited to see what he does with it.”

“Joan’s legacy of innovation in the arts and securing the Artist Series’ place in the hearts of its audiences is a tall order—one that I am honored to continue. I am excited to work with the College of Music’s leadership and the Artist Series Advisory Board. It is a real privilege,” Betancourt says.

Betancourt will continue to work closely with the staff at CU Presents. “The CU Presents team brings unparalleled knowledge of how to reach our audiences and cultivate our relationship with them,” he says. “Continuing and deepening this collaboration will be paramount to the success of the series.”

CU Presents will continue to work with other College of Music programs as well as with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and CU Theatre & Dance.

Tickets for the 2024-25 Artist Series are on sale now.

After almost 15 years at the helm of Macky Auditorium, Rudy Betancourt has also been named the new director of the College of Music’s long-running Artist Series which has brought the finest jazz, classical, world music and dance performers to town for more than eight decades.

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College of Music welcomes new executive director of CU Presents

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

College of Music welcomes new executive director of CU Presents Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/03/2024 - 00:00

Marc Shulgold + Sabine Kortals Stein

Andrew (“Metz”) Metzroth can’t contain his joy when he talks about his new job as executive director of CU Presents, effective since Aug. 5. “I’ve worked toward this for a decade—it’s truly exciting,” he enthuses. As part of the �� College of Music, CU Presents is the home of performing arts on campus annually presenting hundreds of events by CU �� students and faculty, as well as world-famous guest artists.

Overseeing CU Presents requires administrative skill, a steady hand and a cool head. Just consider the competition Metzroth had to contend with after longtime director Joan Braun retired at the end of last season.

“I’m happy that the College of Music conducted a national search,” says Metzroth. “I think there were about three dozen applicants.” But one look at his résumé and it’s not surprising that Metzroth landed the position. For starters, his years of experience in nearly every aspect of the theater—backstage, onstage, above-stage, you name it—is mind-boggling. As his local credits will attest, he’s been everywhere at CU Presents for decades. Plus, his enthusiasm is contagious.

“I’ve always had a love for the theater,” he says. As for his relationship with CU ��, he became box office manager in 2007, handling ticketing for campus performing arts events for nine years. That’s no small task, he emphasizes: “The ticketing software [Tessitura] goes incredibly deep, and takes a long time to learn and teach.” Moving further up the ladder, he became director of operations at CU Presents in 2017.

Today, Metzroth’s responsibilities entail close involvement in managing the Artist Series in Macky Auditorium and Takács Quartet concerts in Grusin Music Hall. But there are more shows to handle—a lot more. “There are some 450 on-campus events including about 350 College of Music events, 50 Theatre & Dance Department events and 50 Colorado Shakespeare Festival performances,” he explains. “I’ll be involved in strategy, ticketing, and marketing and communications for all our series, particularly College of Music events. You have to know what’s important to all of them, to know their goals.”

Not that he intends to remain invisible. “I never want this to be a desk job,” stresses the four-time CU �� alumnus. “I see myself as a community ambassador—I want to bring audiences into performing arts experiences.”

In previous years, you could usually find Metzroth behind a box office window handling ticket sales. With a laugh, he says those days may not be entirely behind him. “Yeah, I might have to work there some nights, if we’re short-staffed.”

But as long as there’s a show going on, CU Presents’ new executive director is happy. “We’re performance- and outreach-oriented,” he adds. “An example of upcoming outreach opportunities are student matinees of [Engelbert Humperdinck’s] ‘Hänsel und Gretel’ in October. We’ll be bringing in students from kindergarten through second grade. That will take some coordinating with a number of schools.”

Sounds like a lot of work for “Metz”—but it’s a good bet he’ll be as excited as all those kids when the school buses arrive.

Andrew (“Metz") Metzroth can’t contain his joy when he talks about his new job as executive director of CU Presents. “I want to bring audiences into performing arts experiences,” he says.

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Fortepiano refurb a labor of love

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Fortepiano refurb a labor of love Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/26/2024 - 00:00

Sabine Kortals Stein

Avlona Yarbrough Taylor, daughters Karen (Patrice Walsh) and Kathryn (Paul Barchilon), as well as Evelyn Taylor—sister of the late Douglas Taylor.

It was a long time coming.

Piano Technician Mark Mikkelsen—who, for more than eight years, has supported the care and maintenance of the College of Music’s fleet of 160 pianos, two harpsichords and an organ—was thrilled when the opportunity arose to rebuild, refurbish and restore one of two fortepianos donated to our college by the late Douglas Taylor and his wife, Avlona, as an in-kind gift in 2019.

The two fortepianos—one is a replica after Conrad Graf 1828 by Robert Smith, ca. 1982; the other is a replica after J. A. Stein by Richard Kingston, ca. 1982—are a tremendous boon for our college. Five years following their donation, the refurbished Smith fortepiano was performed on for the first time on April 8 by Wes Leffingwell, a doctoral student of Professor of Harpsichord Robert Hill.

Since the instrument’s donation, Mikkelsen—whose overall responsibilities include tuning, voicing, regulation, rebuilding and repair—researched the Smith fortepiano and embarked on a years-long restoration project in service to our students and faculty.

“The more I learned about the fortepiano from various sources—its history, how it was made, how it was shipped—the more I understood the instrument which inspired my problem solving,” says Mikkelsen, who was trained in piano technology at the nationally renowned North Bennet Street School in Boston, Massachusetts.

Avlona Taylor enjoying Wes Leffingwell’s performance on the refurbished fortepiano up close.

Adds Operations Manager and Head Piano Technician Ted Mulcahey, “When the Smith fortepiano arrived, it was not in playable condition. After about 120 hours of creative work—including inventing or sourcing missing parts, strings, tools and more—Mark turned it into a beautiful working instrument.”

“It was like working on a ship in a bottle,” continues Mikkelsen, who grew up playing piano. “I really enjoyed the historical and problem-solving aspects of this project … and the positive reactions of the Taylor family, Wes and our faculty really made the effort worthwhile.”

Mikkelsen’s connection to the Taylor family extends beyond this project and our College of Music. Over the years, he’s worked on Avlona Taylor’s harpsichord and he’s started tutoring her daughter, Karen, in the art of tuning.

“Mark is very generous with his time and attention,” concludes Mulcahey. “He knew this project meant a great deal to our donors, faculty and students … and he gave it his all. He cares an awful lot.”

Our tremendous gratitude to the Taylor family; to Robert Hill for his guidance throughout this project; and to the College of Music’s entire Operations team—also including Piano Technician Phil Taylor—for their tireless, behind-the-scenes commitment to keeping our college running smoothly.

Photos below: Members of the Taylor family with Leffingwell, Mulcahey, Mikkelsen, Piano Technician Phil Taylor, Professor of Piano Andrew Cooperstock—with whom Leffingwell studied as a master’s student—and friends. A new plaque adorns the newly playable fortepiano, a replica after Conrad Graf 1828 by Robert Smith, ca. 1982: “This fortepiano was generously donated by Douglas and Avlona Taylor.”

Photos: Shih-Han Chiu

It was a long time coming. Piano Technician Mark Mikkelsen—who, for more than eight years, has supported the care and maintenance of the College of Music’s fleet of 160 pianos, two harpsichords and an organ—was thrilled when the opportunity arose to rebuild, refurbish and restore one of two fortepianos donated to our college by the late Douglas Taylor and his wife, Avlona, as an in-kind gift in 2019.

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College of Music welcomes Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives Kate Cimino

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 07:00:00 +0000

College of Music welcomes Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives Kate Cimino Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/25/2024 - 00:00

Sabine Kortals Stein

The College of Music at the �� is thrilled to welcome Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives Kate Cimino who brings a wealth of experience in executive leadership and higher education, and a long-held passion for music. Cimino started her new role on Jan. 8.

“The Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives is a key member of the dean’s cabinet,” says College of Music Dean John Davis. “I’m confident that Kate’s experience and expertise are perfectly suited to coordinate campus and unit-level initiatives, ensuring alignment and harmony between the college’s mission to develop universal musicians and the CU �� system-wide mission, vision and goals.

“Especially, I’m looking forward to relying on Kate as a thought partner in establishing and executing strategic priorities.”

Cimino’s journey in higher education administration has been both impressive and impactful. For 13 years, she served the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs as assistant director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. Simultaneously, she held the role of executive director of the Policy Fellows program, a nationally recognized professional development program bringing together mid-career leaders from business, government and nonprofit sectors. Cimino was honored with a superior civilian service award from the Minnesota Army National Guard for her work engaging its members in the Humphrey Policy Fellows program for over a decade.

Earlier in her career, Cimino worked in residence life at Creighton University. Most recently, she served for three years as executive director of the Citizens League, a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage people in nonpartisan public policy and community initiatives. Cimino also served for 10 years on the board of directors—including two years as board chair—at MacPhail Center for Music, the nation’s largest community music school.

“Even though I’m new to CU ��, coming to the College of Music feels, in a way, like coming home,” says Cimino, who’s also a bassoonist. “Music has shaped every phase of my life and the opportunity to work professionally in this capacity—to support the musicians and creative artists of the College of Music—is truly a joy.

“I’m excited to work alongside the dean and colleagues to advance the strategic and innovative efforts of the college, and to be part of the CU �� community.”

Cimino holds two master’s degrees: A Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) and a Master of Arts in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University. As an undergrad at Case Western Reserve University, Cimino minored in music; in graduate school, she played bassoon with the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra.

“Music is central to what it means to be human and I’m constantly amazed by the power of music to connect people, combat isolation and express sentiments beyond words,” adds Cimino, who—originally from Buffalo, New York—now calls �� home.

Welcome, Kate!

The CU �� College of Music welcomes Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives Kate Cimino who brings a wealth of experience in executive leadership and higher education, and a long-held passion for music.

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