Celebration of the CVPA Class of 2020 Brochure

College of Visual and Performing Arts

A Celebration of the Class of 2020

COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Friday, May 22 | 2 p.m. | GMU-TV

A Message from the Dean Dear CVPA Class of 2020, We celebrate you today. We honor you today. We miss you today.

And we are so proud (today and always) of your work as artists, scholars, teachers, managers, students. Some of you who have been in class or rehearsal with me know that I enjoy playing around with words, and you may have heard this already, so you may skip ahead.

But for the rest, linger with me on the word student for a moment. It comes from Latin (the infinitive form is studere), and the original meanings are full of life and juice. When we are students, when we study something, we engage in it with zeal. We are eager for it. We strive toward it. We care about it.

I think that’s what artists do too, which is what makes studying the arts such a privilege and a pleasure. We never stop engaging, striving, caring, loving this work. Our zeal is a lifetime pursuit. It’s been our pleasure and privilege to be with you on this portion of your journey as students — in all of those rich and productive senses.

Congratulations, graduates! Keep studying!

Rick Davis, Dean

Student Award Recipients Victoria N. Salmon Outstanding Graduate Student Award The recipient of the Victoria N. Salmon Outstanding Graduate Student Award is a currently enrolled CVPA graduate student who demonstrates thoughtful and artistic reflection while creating high-quality research in the arts. The student’s original research in one component of the arts will enhance an understanding of the arts in general.

Sarah A. Fabian, PhD, Music Education Juan F. Megna, DMA, Musical Arts Alice L. Watts Memorial Scholarship and Award The recipient of the Alice L. Watts Memorial Scholarship is an outstanding undergraduate CVPA major who is committed to building community within the college and the university.

Calvin Zubaly, junior, Bachelor of Music

Class of 2020: Creative, Resilient, Strong

Academic Award Recipients SCHOOL OF ART The Undergraduate Academic and Artistic Achievement Awards recognize outstanding graduating undergraduate students who have excelled academically and artistically throughout their course of study.

Studio Arts

Sophia Marie Lambert, BFA Margaret Fish, BFA Theresa Elaina Van Dyke, BFA Graphic Design

Daniela Paz Aguero, BFA Aaron Michael Burke, BFA John J. Riley, BA Master of Arts in Teaching Award

Rachel AnneMarie Jenkins, MAT

ARTS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Erin Isabelle Edwards Gaffney Award This award is named in honor of Erin Gaffney, MA Arts Management ’07, who was instrumental in advancing new programming within the College of Visual and Performing Arts, graduated with High Honors, and was the first recipient of the Dean’s Award. Gaffney passed away on July 10, 2008. The award is presented to an outstanding student who exemplifies Erin’s respect for self, for others, and for the power of the arts to transform.

Tanya Dieudonne, MA

Outstanding Achievement Award This award is given to the MA in Arts Management recipient with a topranked GPA and who also exemplifies the ideals of arts management as a field, bringing together the art form, the artist, and the audience. This recipient fully represents tomorrow’s arts leader: collaborative, bright, entrepreneurial, and grounded.

Christina Papanicolaou, MA Leadership Award This award is given to the recipient of the MA in Arts Management who has demonstrated the ideals of scholarship and professionalism, promoted and supported the reputation of the program, and is actively engaged in graduate student body initiatives..

Natalie Gelbvaks, MA

COMPUTER GAME DESIGN PROGRAM Achievement Award, Academic Excellence This award is presented to the students with the highest GPA in the class.

Alexander J. Goldberg, BFA Achievement Award, Design and Artistic Achievement This award is presented to students demonstrating excellent creativity, design, and artistic skills.

Ye Sun Kim, BFA Rachel Ann White, BFA

SCHOOL OF DANCE Outstanding Achievement in the Major This award is given to graduating dance majors who participated fully in every aspect of the program, pursued every opportunity for growth and development, and demonstrated professional commitment to the field.

Jesse Ruth Arnst, BFA Mia Chanell Brice, BFA Madeline Michelle Burr, BFA Maya Fedorenko, BFA Madeline C. Hall, BFA Jonathan David Harrison, BFA Kyla Lanae Hull, BFA Melanie Paige Jerome, BFA Veronica Kulik, BFA Sydney Rachel Lastorino, BFA Jovick Pavajeau-Orostegui, BFA Xavier Porro-Harrell, BFA Cordelia M. Roberts, BFA Kelsey Alexandra Smith, BFA

FILM AND VIDEO STUDIES PROGRAM Academic Excellence Highest GPA with 120 credits at Mason

Hannah Harmison, BA Alicia Rodriguez, BA Academic Achievement Highest GPA with credits transferred to Mason

Adrianna V. Carter, BA

Professional Achievement Award Outstanding accomplishments in professional preparation for the film and video studies field.

Alaa Zabara, BA Alicia Rodriguez, BA Taylor Alicia Spears, BA Service Award This award recognizes outstanding service to the Film and Video Studies Program.

Nicole Clavel , BA Elisabeth N. Angeley, BA

SCHOOL OF MUSIC Achievement Award, Undergraduate Academic Studies

Joi E. Harper, BM, Composition, Voice Philip B. Drembus, BM, Percussion Performance Nancy-Jane Grace McClain, BM, Vocal Performance Achievement Award, Undergraduate Performance

Luke Alexander Ratcliffe, BM, Piano Performance Jeongwon Bae, BM, Music Education, Flute Robert Esposito, BM, Music Education, French Horn

Achievement Award, Graduate Academic Studies

Leigh Pilzer, DMA, Jazz Studies, Saxophone Jennifer Wei Di Nino, MM, Pedagogy, Violin Achievement Award, Graduate Performance

Travis Jay Low, MM, Trombone Performance Ga Young Lee, MM, Piano Performance Christina Phillips, MM, Vocal Performance Achievement Award, Departmental Service

Tomas E. Jackson, MM, Jazz Studies, Piano

SCHOOL OF THEATER Excellence in Performance This award is given to graduating actors whose work at Mason has exemplified the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit required to enter the professional theater.

Garvey Xavier Dobbins, BFA Kathleen Marie West, BFA Excellence in Design and Production This award is given to a graduating designer, stage manager, or technician whose work at Mason has demonstrated mastery in one or more of the technical and design areas and commitment to the professional theater.

Alexandria J. Wiemeyer, BFA Marcus James Sharnoff, BA Excellence in Writing and Dramaturgy This award is given to a graduating playwright, screenwriter, or dramaturg whose work at Mason has been carried out with distinction and elevated the collaborative achievements of one or more Mason Players production.

Julie E. Kashmanian, BFA Rachel L. Dixon, BFA

Excellence in Academics This award is given to a graduating theater major with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher whose academic achievement across the university has been outstanding.

Kathleen Marie West, BFA Tyler J. Shores, BA Outstanding Achievement in the Major This award is given to a graduating theater major who participated fully in the program, earned a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, pursued every opportunity for growth and development, and demonstrated professional commitment to the field.

Mina Maderi, BA Julia Souza, BFA

WINTER 2019 ART AND VISUAL TECHNOLOGY

ARTS MANAGEMENT

MUSIC

Master of Arts

Master of Music

Master of Arts in Teaching

Carolyn Rose Bartley Betty Catherine Boyd Na Dai Mengyuan Feng Chen Guo Bria Hall Yaxin Kan Austin Marie LaPorta Jing Li Li Li Alexandra Sophia Liopiros Aubrey Giles Lisowski Han Luo Zhuxin Mao Vannesa Nates Sichen Niu Yutong Shen Yuwei Wang Shitao Wang Yang Wang Yulin Yang Haruka Yonezawa Xiaotong Yu Di Zhao Luoyao Zhou Mengxia Zhou

Huiyao Fu Yiyao Hao Andrew Leonard Kerper Ga Young Lee Essel Linton Julia Marian Morris Christina Sanchez Phillips David Lee Reynolds Jr. Wenru Yang Duoyichi Zhang

Katherine C. M. Doyle Adeline HsiaoTing Su Julieanne Elizabeth Wallace

Master of Arts in Graphic Design Christina M. Childs Ting Li

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graphic Design Maya Madhu Dwivedy

Bachelor of Fine Arts Johanna G. Ballou Todd L. Diamond Jordyn Fairbanks Kyle M. Fox Iye Koroma Johnathan D. Le Kathryne Mastrangelo Amanda K. McDonald Saleem Negash Bianca Panyanouvong Rachel Katherine Olivia Quinn Meghan Forbes Romance Lazaria Christine Roseboro Yanina M. Saavedra Joshua Sams Aileen Shek Zoe Elisia-Elisa Worrell

Bachelor of Arts Evelyn Aliaga Katherine L. Beutner Yang Cao Xavier Maurice Carter Erik Cativo Sharon Eileen Corish Nicholas C. Delos Ashley B. Hardin Jordan Hyre Kahla Ann Keyser-Packham Janet Kidd Caroline Latessa Kristina Lung Timothy A. Matthews Jr. Holly Han Nguyen Lauren Noelle Pacheco Madeline Alexandra Proctor Jacob Steven Ryan Hugo Vasgestian Dos Santos Nicholle Wilson

COMPUTER GAME DESIGN Bachelor of Fine Arts Byron Winston Carter Jr. Sterling Lloyd Dillon Benjamin C. Giffen Johnathan Wayne Gochenour Noah Michael Grecco Zachary G. Lewis Wesley F. Meyer Andrea Christine Petretti Brooke M. Rabas Jacklyn R. Rowcliffe Rodrigo Alonso Salazar Yue Tao Matthew J. Thomas Danielle Rene Wallace

Music Education Licensure for PK-12 Kathryn Elaine Carbone

Bachelor of Music Ryan W. Burr Daniel Cabrejos Jordan T. Crockett Robert Esposito Helen R. Landers Adam R. Olkowski Luke A. Pierce Julia A. Stubbs Melissa Mabel Torres

Bachelor of Arts Daniela Acosta Rodriguez Aron Darovsky Connor Rockwell Filicko Joo Eun Kim Nicolas Myron Layendecker Chloe Joelle Lorence Kwan McKnight Zoe Alexandra Spruston

THEATER Bachelor of Fine Arts Laila Mary Rose Keadan

Bachelor of Arts Mina Maderi Jeremy Michael Shontz

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

FILM AND VIDEO STUDIES

Master of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Brigitte Caramanna

James Chapman Barrett Adrianna V. Carter Elijah James Adriana Melany Lopez Daniel Joseph Arthur Marcinek Ignacio J. Miranda Elisha Monique Morales Graham Brandon Russell Maximilian Stefan Stempniewicz Farrell M. Tapscott

SPRING/SUMMER 2020 ART AND VISUAL TECHNOLOGY Master of Arts in Teaching Johanna Dickson Erin P. Henry Rachel AnneMarie Jenkins Jayney Riddick Vanessa Allison Webb

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graphic Design *Jaime Lynn Cooper Nicole Danielle Starkey

Bachelor of Fine Arts Daniela Paz Aguero Ghadeer Mohammad A Alakeel *Jenifer Angela Bardi Alfredo Basurto Aaron Michael Burke Gabriela A. Candelario Sosa Jessa M. Carlos *Aja Cenon Nicholas Conor Chipouras Camille Monique Collette *Rachel E. Cooper Madeline P. Deveney Dmitri Emil Dwyer Margaret Fish Sydney Dianne Gahr Sabrina Gaytan Amanuel G. Gebre Barbara L. Haskett Patrick Hall Kearney Sophia Marie Lambert Gabriela Paz Marks Christopher James Maxwell Chandler C. Mcgraw Raghib Nadeem Leigh Palmer Humberto Isaac Portillo Jr. Molly Elizabeth Pronko Jessie Pugh Charity N. Richards Kelsey L. Russell *Dallas R. Scholten Kasey Jeane Thomas Theresa Elaina Van Dyke Cody Talbert Zanowick

Bachelor of Arts *Amanda Arhin Safiyah Benlafquih Tyler Alexander Castaneda Ibraheem Ismail Cattaneo *Michael W. Douglas Aseel Khalid Elayan Molly Cochrane Hampel Kathleen Jane Johnson *Ashley Grace Kwon

*Samantha Kate Loritsch Claudia M. Molina Andrea Beatriz Montes Alarcon Rose Helen Moore Huong Nguyen Vu Alexis Andrea Penater John J. Riley Grant S. Schultz Lexi M. Swager *Michael Hebreux Thornton Benjamin Paul Tobin Alaa Zabara Nancy Zheng

ARTS MANAGEMENT Master of Arts Njoud B A Alkharji Jun Chu Jennifer G. Clary Jessica O’Dell Schue Curtis *Tanya Genevieve Dieudonne Clara Ruth Everhart Natalie Gelbvaks Mackenzie Elizabeth Girard Kayla Patrice Harris Katherine Heltzel Christina Angelina Papanicolaou Yuanyuan Qiao Manuela Ines Quintero Fehr Wenqi Rao Claire Logan Renn Marla Schrettner Brianna K. St Clair Meijun Sun Shiyun Tang Yang Zhao Jiayi Zhou Xuan Zhu Yun Zhu Huangmin Zou

COMPUTER GAME DESIGN Master of Arts Kayla Patrice Harris

Bachelor of Fine Arts Marykay Leilani Anhalt *Donald J. Arruda II David Matthew William Baptiste *Johnny Andrew Bentacu Seth Abram Brett Raymond B. Brynteson Cameron J. Chiumento Sergio Conti *Justin A. Cromartie *Lauren Nicole Dansereau Julie M. Demyanovich

*Alison C. Ehmer *Dean Hiroki Eskew Zachary M. Fischer Zachary Taylor Garnett Alexander K. Gifford Alexander J. Goldberg *Benjamin R. Johnston *Elijah P. Judy Ye Sun Kim Nicholas Joseph Kapp Gabriel Pierre Lewis Ryan M. Lindsay George Lewis Lovett Scott Martin *Toeray Christopher Mcclain Jr. Connor J. McNamara *Jacob Merkel *Vanessa Hope Nicely Christopher Garrett Ohlsson *Liam Francis Owen Adam H. Pitts John Forster Riedlin Orlando L. Rivera *Eduardo C. Robert Alexander Michael Schaaf Ryan Andrew Schnepfe *Evan Michael Spytek Oliver B. Steenman Katja N. Swann Caleb F. Tate Tyler E. Tavaglione Madison E. Telles Xavier I. Toomer Maria Elizabeth Turmel Brayden Duvall Urso Darren Michael Walsh Rachel Ann White

DANCE Bachelor of Fine Arts Jesse Ruth Arnst Mia Chanelle Brice Madeline Michelle Burr Maya Fedorenko Madeline C. Hall Jonathan David Harrison Kyla Lanae Hull Melanie Paige Jerome Veronica Kulik Sydney Rachel Lastorino Jovick Pavajeau-Orostegui Xavier Porro-Harrell Cordelia M. Roberts Kelsey Alexandra Smith *Student has applied to graduate in August 2020.

FILM AND VIDEO STUDIES Bachelor of Arts Fabrizio Alberdi Elisabeth N. Angeley Conor P. Armstrong Reinaldo Arzola Sumona Subhasis Banerji Michael Cacciabuado Nicole Monica Clavel Blaire J. Collingwood Leonard D. Collins Elizabeth B. Cornfeld *Ian Joshua Cox *Zachary Andre Crooms *Matthew J. Dempsey *Devin Thomas Easley Rhyan K. Elliott William Ferguson *Summer Joy Fields *Ekaterina-Duchovny Gaetjens Hannah M. Harmison Jonathan A. Ibarra *Courtney Elise James Fox Marcellus Kier Dennis N. Kramer *Sungtaek Lim Christopher Stephen Malone Cory Mason Alexandria Tarrant Mcalpine Jacob Morgan *Jacob Musselman Christopher Michael Oakley Christopher Porter Sayed Reha Alicia Rodriguez Nicholas Roller Christopher Lee Silva *Andrew Patrick Simko Elizabeth A. Smith Taylor Alicia Spears Avaanti Leela Sridhar Bryan Anthony Steger James Stemple Matthew Vargas Malcom Reydian Pascual Villanueva Mykael D. Wood Alaa Zabara

Mark J. Davis Jennifer Wei Di Nino Kari Michele Hart Daniel McNay Hill Tomas E. Jackson Sarah Elizabeth Jacob David James Jacob David Lash Elizabeth A. Leung Travis Jay Low Shane Dylan Musgrove Anna Christina Sammel David Gordon Singhaus Ruixuan Song Jenete St Clair Zixuan Tang Christian L. Thomas Mengyuan Tong Xuelei Zhang

Bachelor of Music

MUSIC

Maria Purificacion Babb Jeongwon Bae Alexander Stephen Bertke Steven Joseph Blake Elizabeth Bozhich Hayden C. Busby Sheir E. Clark Philip B. Drembus Maya Fisher Nathan J. Graham Joi E. Harper Ross Matthew Hedlund Garrett Robert Henkle Pendar Kordnavahsi Kaitlin Lee Kelian Li Fiona Rose Madigan Nancy-Jane Grace McClain Colson Meeks Talha Sohail Mirza Alexis M. Neff Luke Alexander Ratcliffe Karen A. Smith Zachary Ian Strickland Andrew C. String Thomas E. Tyra Jr. Millicent Vazquez John S. Wehmeyer Wei Xiao

Master of Music

Bachelor of Arts

Evan Montgomery Ayars Zhencong Chen Brandon Paul Ciocco

Marc T. Anthony Matthew I. Cesnik Anthony N. Dass

Momina S. Di Blasio Taisha Lee Estrada Kaleb T. Kiracofe *Vayla Lorraine Lamarra Kate Lorene Shrimpton Ruihao Wang

Graduate Certificate in Music for Well Being James C. Cantrell

Artist Certificate in Vocal Performance Na Ae Lee

THEATER Bachelor of Fine Arts Daniel Z. Almquist Shelby Claire Baker Rachel L. Dixon Garvey Xavier Dobbins Samuel F. Dunn III Allison Marie Gryder Julie E. Kashmanian David Edward LeRoy Madison Ashley McVeigh Kayla M. Schultz Marcus James Sharnoff Austin M. Shores *Kira M. Simmons Julia Souza *Victoria Nicole Stephenson Lauren E. Sutton Jeffrey Samuel Trent Jr. Kathleen Marie West Alexandria J. Wiemeyer Logan Skyler Williams

Bachelor of Arts Ian William Dickinson Lauren Alexis Fraites Christopher M. Hunt Joohwan Samuel Kim Jared Dean Pugh Tyler J. Shores Joshua Tybias Stout

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Master of Fine Arts Wade Phillip McComas *Student has applied to graduate in August 2020.

Doctor of Musical Arts Joel Graham

Mark R. Thiele

John Philip Sousa’s The Last Days

The Original Wind Band Commissions

of Pompeii: An Exploration of the

of “The President’s Own” United States

Historical and Artistic Treatments

Marine Band

Leading to the Wind-Band Suite Michael Wu Leigh Pilzer

Synthesizing Kodaly Pedagogy and

Gerry Mulligan, Soloist: Transcription

El Sistema Philosophy in a Choral

and Analysis of his Small-Group Solos

Setting: A Practical Guide to

on “Line for Lyons,” “Curtains,” and

Connecting Children’s Choruses

“The Flying Scotsman”

with Disadvantaged Youth

Benjamin Ryer Reviving, Continuing, and Transforming: Stylistically Varied Approaches to Klezmer in the Late Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Centuries

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services George Mason University

Stay involved!

The College of Visual and Performing Arts boasts an alumni base of more than 6,500 from 50 states and 15 countries. The CVPA Alumni Chapter of the George Mason University Alumni Association offers a suite of career development programs plus a full schedule of events to stay connected with your fellow alumni and academic program of study.

We love hearing about your success after graduating from Mason! Be sure to update your contact information and professional accomplishments at

cvpa.gmu.edu/alumni-update.

About the college

The College of Visual and Performing Arts was established to create an academic environment in which the arts may be considered both as individual disciplines and as interdisciplinary forms that strengthen each other. Courses of study in the college are designed to lead students to careers as creators, performers, teachers, managers, and scholars

of the arts, as well as to prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In addition to providing strong programs for arts majors and minors, the college strives to ensure that the entire George Mason University student population has the opportunity to experience and study the arts as a key component of a wellrounded liberal arts education.

Administration Rick Davis, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts Lisa Kahn, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies Karen Reedy, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education Kristin Johnsen-Neshati, Assistant Dean, International Programs & Critical Studies

Hasan Elahi, Director, School of Art William Reeder, Director, Arts Management Program Sang Nam, Director, Computer Game Design Program Susan Shields, Director, School of Dance Giovanna Chesler, Director, Film and Video Studies Program

Asma Omarzad, Assistant Director, Graduate Affairs

Cynthia Fuchs, Associate Director, Film and Video Studies Program

Dawn Anderson Kelley, Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions and Recruitment

Linda Monson, Director, School of Music

Lauren Wagner, Associate Director, Undergraduate Academic Affairs Drew Comparin, Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach Coordinator

Kevin Murray, Interim Director, School of Theater