Alumni
VCU piano graduates have successfully pursued advanced music degrees at other major universities and conservatories. Many have held professional positions at such prestigious locations as Indiana University, the San José Opera, the Kennedy Center, the Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia Community College and the International School in Shanghai, China.
Distinguished alumni
Jonathan Kolm (BM 1999) holds a DMA in composition from the University of Texas in Austion and has recently been appointed as the head of piano and composition programs at the Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, VA. His compositions has been performed across the United States, including major venues in Dallas, St. Paul and New York City; Dr. Kolm is the recipient of the 2009 Janet and Craig Swan Prize in Composition awarded by the University of Minnesota and the American Composers Forum.
Miyeon Choi (BM 2008) is on faculty at the Centre for the Arts in New Roads, Baton Rouge area, LA.
Benjamin Garner (BM 2008) was the recipient of the Bill and Judy Watson Assistantship for Recording at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Kenan Fellowship at the Lincoln Center Institute in New York.
Jodi-Ann Russell (BM 2007) is currently the President of the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Collegiate Chapter of Westminster Choir College. She is also on faculty at the Westminster Conservatory, Inspira Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Farrington's Music, Innovative Piano, where she specializes in instruction to individuals with autism and other challenges.
Leila Hepp (M.M. 2005) - faculty, International School in Shanghai, China.
Leilani Mork (M.M., 2004, summa cum laude) – Adjunct faculty at VCU; pianist for the Richmond Ballet; former vocal coach and accompanist for the Opera Festival di Roma's educational program; musical director for University of Virginiaуs Opera Workshop. She is currently the vocal coach and music director for the Senior Showcase with recent performances in DC, NYC and Chicago. Her latest project as a music director is The Whoуs Tommy with Theatre VCU run in spring 2010.
Tom Jennings (BM, 1986; MM, 1987) - Director of Worship and Arts at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, the largest Protestant congregation in Manhattan, with over 5,000 members. Oversees a program of 300 professional musicians, including members of the New York Philharmonic and noted jazz artists. A published composer of more than one hundred works in multiple genres.
Thomas Webb (B. M., 1975) - director of in-school and community performances at the Opera San José, head of the music staff. Formerly Principal Coach and Music Director of the Resident Artists of Portland Opera, Assistant Conductor at Connecticut Grand Opera, faculty of the Yale School of Music. Graduate degree in Vocal and Instrumental Accompanying from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Assistant Conductor and Coach/Accompanist at Santa Fe Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Opera North at Dartmouth College, and Central City Opera Festival in Colorado. Recitals: Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York with both operatic and Broadway singers and instrumentalists. Soloist with the Oregon Symphony in Portland. Coach/Pianist at Sacramento Opera, West Bay Opera, and San José State University.
Ellen Flint (B.M. 1962) - Associate Professor of Music at Wilkes University. M. Mus from Rice University, PhD from University of Maryland. Publications in The Musical Quarterly, Perspectives of New Music, Contemporary Music Review, and American Music Teacher. Collaborative and solo lecture-recitals at the state conventions of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association.
Harvey Jacobson (B.M.) - applied piano faculty, Northern Virginia Community College. Awarded the "Certificate of Individual Merit" from the National Federation of Music Clubs for his contribution toward the furtherance of American music and was included in "The International Who's Who in Music," following a series of lecture-recitals on the solo piano music of the American composer, Edward MacDowell. Frequent appearances on both radio and television performing the music of Scott Joplin, Edward MacDowell and the serious music of Thomas "Fats" Waller.
Peter Orgain - studies include the University of Virginia with Marjorie Mitchell, Stanford University with Naomi Sparrow, Florence, Italy with Maria Tipo and Clara Saldicco, Virginia Commonwealth University with Landon Bilyeu, and the University of Maryland with Stuart Gordon. While a student he won a number of piano competitions including the Charleston Symphony Competition, the Mozart International Competition, VMTA and NMTA Young Artists Competions and various concerto competitions. He has performed as soloist with orchestras, in piano recitals, and chamber music in New York City for many years, and participated in many local chamber music festivals. Peter Orgain founded the Atlantis Quintet and the Cerberus Trio, and recently performed Mozartуs Piano Concerto in A, K. 488 with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony in New York. As founder and artistic director of the Provincetown Chamber Players, he has performed over forty concerts as part of the Great Music/Sundays at Five Concert Series in Provincetown, MA.
Kimberly Peachy - past president, Virginia Music Teachers Association.
