Guest Artists

The NSU Department of Music hosted several guest artists this spring 2020 semester. These artists are experts in their respective fields and instruments and collaborated with music faculty to bring their talents and expertise to our students and the community.

Soprano, Kathryn Frady joined Dr. Whitney Myers in a recital of vocal music inspired by the works of Shakespeare on January 19th. Frady is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Marble City Opera Company in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Dr. Elizabeth Robinson was invited by Dr. Laura Pillman to masterclass the flute studio and perform a flute recital on January 21st. Dr. Robinson serves on the faculty at Missouri Southern State University.

Lyndon Meyer joined NSU Vocal Faculty, Drs. Whitney Myers and Christian Bester for the 2020 Vocal Festival as collaborative pianist and vocal coach on January 26 & 27. Meyer is a Tulsa-based conductor, vocal coach, pianist, and organist. He serves the Tulsa Opera as chorusmaster, assistant conductor, principal pianist and vocal coach. Read more about his visit on page ____.

Dr. Justin Cook joined the NSU Instrumental Faculty for the 2020 Instrumental Festival held on February 3rd. Dr. Cook is assistant professor of music at University of Central Arkansas. You can read more about Instrumental Festival on page ____.

Also joining the NSU Instrumental Faculty from University of Central Arkansas for the 2020 Instrumental Festival was Dr. Kelly Johnson. She is associate professor of clarinet and principal clarinetist with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. You can read more about Instrumental Festival on page ____.

NSU Jazz Studies welcomed saxophonist and recording artist, Dr. Pete Carney to masterclass and perform with the NSU Jazz Ensemble on February 8th. Carney is Director of Jazz Studies at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

The NSU Choral area welcomed composer, vocalist, and conductor, Fahad Siadat from Los Angeles on February 10 & 11. You can read more about Fahad and his work with NSU students on page ____.

Dr. Demar Woods from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, was invited by Dr. Ben Hay for a masterclass with the trumpet studio on February 13th.

Jazz funk band, “Naughty Professor,” was this year’s NSU Green Country Jazz Festival guest artists. You can read about their work with NSU students on page ____.

NSU at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association conference

Dr. Anne Watson leads a clarinet sectional with members of the OkMEA High School All-State Band. Eight NSU students rehearsed and performed with the OkMEA Intercollegiate Band, under the direction of guest conductor, Dr. Jack Stamp in Tulsa on January 16th.

Logan Edwards, clarinet Kaitlyn Ryan, clarinet Jackson Washburn, trumpet Timothy Caputo, trumpet Andrew Pearson, trumpet Sean Melton, trumpet Lilly Lewis, trombone

DeNario Shoates, horn

Part of our role at OkMEA is to recruit future RiverHawks and make connections with educators across the state. Here, Drs. Clark Gibson, James Lindroth, and Benjamin Hay pose for a picture in our NSU booth in the exhibit hall.

Vocal Music Education major, Lissie Franklin, helps in the NSU exhibit booth to recruit future RiverHawks. She was awarded conference registration and lodging as an exemplary music education student representative. She was exposed to methods, interest sessions, and concerts in exchange for her recruiting efforts.

NSU Music hosted a music alumni gathering at Andolini’s Sliced in downtown Tulsa during the OkMEA conference. We had lots of fun chatting and catching up with these NSU alums. We hope to continue offering a gathering every year at OkMEA for music educators and area music alumni.