Graduating Class

Aleksandr Artymenko: Bachelor of Music in Composition

Ryan Krofta: Bachelor of Music Education

Tim Shea: Bachelor of Music Education

Abigail Sheehan: Bachelor of Music in Composition and Bachelor of Music Education

Jonathan Westerfield: Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance

Degree:

Bachelor of Music Education

About:

I grew up in Aurora, Colorado, forced to play the violin at 12 years old, and learned to love music through pure “strong” encouragement from my parents and fantastic orchestra teacher over the past 11 years. I would not change it for the world, I have become extremely passionate about teaching and creating music.

Future Career Goals:

I would love to be a high school strings teacher, I want to make orchestra more fun and accessible for all students at whichever school I work at. Once I am settled in my career I would love to get a masters in order to better support my students!

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

I could not have gotten through my degree, especially through learning music online during COVID-19, and the professors at MSU Denver are the only motivation I had to keep going. A big THANK YOU to Chris Keelan, Cherise Leiter, Gene Roberts, Dr. Thompson, MB Kruger, Dr. Matthews, Dr. Fiscor, Michael Hengst, Dave Devine, and Alex Komodore for giving the motivation and energy I didn’t have at the time and caring so much, and BIGGEST thank you to Dr. Aguilar and Dr. Kish for being my rocks during this degree, without your support I would not have made it!

Degree:

Bachelor of Music in Jazz & American Improvised Music Trumpet Performance

About:

As a kid I did not like jazz music at all. It wasn’t until I joined jazz band in seventh grade my eyes opened wide in wonder at the creativity that jazz music drew upon. Playing trumpet from a young age allowed my musical journey to shape and widen as I began to gravitate towards jazz.

Future Career Goals:

I plan to complete a degree in electrical engineering and pursue a master’s degree in jazz in Europe.

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

The greatest moments I experienced at MSU Denver were in bigband, where every rehearsal was a party of skilled musicians single-mindedly pursuing the creation of beautiful and liberating music. This experience allowed me to settle in a steadfast place of prospective hope and wonder of the ever-present spirit of jazz music.

Degree:

Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance

About:

I have been playing the trumpet for 14 years. I have been a part of symphonic bands, orchestras, pit orchestras for musicals and operas, jazz bands, brass choirs, trumpet ensembles, and brass quintets. I was a part of the first large trumpet ensemble from MSU Denver to make it to the quarter finals of the National Trumpet Competition. I am also a founding member of the 7th Street Brass Quintet.

Future Career Goals:

I plan on returning to MSU Denver in the spring of 2025 to work towards a Master of Arts and Teaching degree with a concentration in general elementary education. As I teach at an Elementary School, I hope to continue playing in orchestras and with the 7th Street Brass Quintet.

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

I have learned so much in my seven years at MSU Denver and have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with the faculty at MSU Denver. I have enjoyed being a part of every ensemble that I have played with and I will cherish the memories that I have with these groups. I have greatly benefited from the positive environment at MSU Denver in our music department. Through my career as a student here, I have learned so much through the acceptance and help of the faculty and my peers and I have grown and matured because of this experience.

Degree:

Bachelor of Music Education

About:

A native New Yorker, Jaymie is a MSU Denver Music Education major set to graduate Cum Laude in May 2024. After nearly a decade-long career as a pastry chef, she returned to school to pursue her dream of being a music teacher. Her primary instruments are clarinet and mandolin, but she teaches private lessons on more than half a dozen instruments.

Future Career Goals:

Jaymie’s goal is to obtain her master’s and teach at a university, and aspires to conduct her own orchestra someday.

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

Playing in the Gamelan Ensemble, attending CMEA Conferences, and every moment spent making music with friends in band and orchestra are just a few highlights from her time at MSU Denver. She would like to show appreciation to the mentors and educators who stood beside her and offered endless wisdom and encouragement to her along the way.

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts in Music

About:

I was a transfer student to MSU Denver in the spring of 2020. I went to school through the pandemic and made it through. I was a BME candidate for the first several years of my degree, before transitioning into the program that I am in now. I was so lucky to be able to work with both Mark Harris and Dr. Kish during my degree, and I am excited to graduate!

Future Career Goals:

I am going to continue in my position as a General Manager of an AMC theatre. I have been lucky to be offered this position and will continue playing music locally.

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

One of my favorite experiences during my time at MSU Denver was during COVID-19 when Dr. Kish had us play in the band, but outside. This was such a great experience for me, and I was able to get through the pandemic due to the time that I spent in this group.

Degree:

Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance

About:

My musical journey began when I was in middle school jazz band playing the tenor saxophone and learning to play the piano. Once I was in high school, I really gravitated towards the choral setting and loved learning music theory and auditioning into Colorado Allstate Choir, Western Slope Choral Festival, and New Orleans Choral Competition. High school choral director, Jeff Hodur, motivated me to pursue a Bachelors in Music. From my experience here at MSU Denver, I discovered an immense love towards the years being in Chorale, having one of the lead roles in ‘Hansel and Gretel’ in the 2023 Opera Theatre production, and learning to find my voice in Classical Voice Performance with the mentorship of Gene B. Roberts.

Future Career Goals:

I plan to audition for opera roles and choral section lead opportunities in the Northern Colorado hemisphere. As well as working for a music studio and teaching voice and piano lessons for beginners. I would really like to take a year or two to work on my networking skills and building my singers resume before I begin to seek my Masters in Performance with an emphasis in pedagogy.

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

I would like to thank all of the professors who have encouraged me to succeed throughout my college experience and for the continuous support outside of formal instruction. Thank you to all of the friends I have made on the way and really capsulated the college experience. Special thanks to Gene B. Roberts for guiding me to find my voice throughout the semesters in classical performance and Opera, MB Krueger for creating a safe space in Chorale, to Cherise Leiter for exploring your compositions and allowing me to learn your dedication to your craft, and to Chris Keelan for the valuable knowledge through music theory.

Degree:

Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance

About:

Lily grew up with a life in music. She began in youth performing in community theater and singing in children’s choirs, and continued into her adulthood with opera, a cappella music, and professional choir. In her time at MSU Denver, Lily was a recipient of the Denver Lyric Opera Guild scholarship in the 2021-2022 school year, and was offered the chance to be an intern in the St. Martin’s Chamber Choir. She performed a featured solo in John Corigliano’s Fern Hill, and was featured in the roles of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with the Opera Ensemble. She is absolutely ecstatic that she will be able to walk on May 10th to receive her degree after nine years enrolled at MSU Denver.

Future Career Goals:

Lily is looking forward to making music in the Denver area and taking advantage of as many opportunities to cultivate a well-rounded career as she can. She is excited about the prospects of expanding her opera experience, exploring jazz voice, continuing her tenure as a part of the 17th Avenue Allstars, and remaining a loyal member in choirs. A Master’s degree may be in store for Lily in the future, but for now she will be taking a well-deserved break from academia.

Favorite Moments from MSU Denver:

The time that Lily has spent as a student of the MSU Denver Music Department has been the most rewarding experience of her life. Many of her favorite moments were spent in Arts 293, where Chorale meets twice a week to nurture life-changing friendships and cultivate powerful musical moments. The opportunities to learn from Gene Roberts, MB Krueger, Dr. Jooeun Pak, Christopher Keelan, Dr. Bradley Thompson, and Dr. Brandon Matthews have been deeply invaluable to her. The word “music” became synonymous with “collaboration” because of these mentors, and she is forever grateful to have been under their tutelage.