Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre
Shenandoah Conservatory
Welcome to the 20th annual Conservatory Convocation! Incoming and returning conservatory students are invited to kick off the 2025/26 academic year with a dynamic lineup of music, theatre and dance performances showcasing the conservatory’s extraordinary student artists. The year's event includes a special keynote address by Broadway actress and singer Mandy Gonzalez.
Prelude
TROMBONE COLLECTIVE
Ian Elick, Wade Parton, Brenna Patterson, Maggie Plosch, Trey Strosnider, Jaylinn Vanegas, Rebecca Acoloste, Brandon DuBritton, Jackson Smith
FANFARE
Convocation 2025
Music by Brandon DuBritton (b. 2005)
TROMBONE COLLECTIVE
Ian Elick, Wade Parton, Brenna Patterson, Maggie Plosch, Trey Strosnider, Jaylinn Vanegas, Rebecca Acoloste, Brandon DuBritton, Jackson Smith
“We Got the Beat” from Head Over Heels
Song and lyrics by The Go-Go’s
Music written by Charlotte Caffey (b. 1953)
Music arranged by Patrick Brady
Orchestration by Carter Perryman
Choreography by Shylo Martinez
MUSICAL THEATRE ENSEMBLE
Kyla Carter, Dara Gordon, Dalaney Lange, Mia Nelson, Emerson Riley, Lydia Rouse, Kira Sledge, Morgan Smith, Celia Stafford, Olivia Zenetzis
BAND
Zoie Foster, piano/conductor
Katherine Hicks, keyboard
Brandon Divita, drums
Evan Gray, electric guitar
Logan Parker, electric bass
Tyler Makowiecki, trumpet
Ian Elick, trombone
Clapback
Choreography by Daniel Padierna
Costumes by Cheryl Yancey
Music: “Soulfood” (2023) by Jlin (b. 1987)
DANCE ENSEMBLE
Dante DePaul, Antonyo Douglas, Ava Fell, Brandon Goldman, Christopher Harmon, Josiah O'Connor, Evan Mucciarone, Connor Richmond
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Lukas Dannenberg, Jacob Derges, Brandon Divita, Brodie Meyers
Shenandoah Conservatory Student Council President's Welcome
Eliahna Heimann ’26 (B.A. in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development)
In C Interlude
Music by Michael Nyman (b. 1944)
EDGE ENSEMBLE
Katarina Sams, flute
Daniel Lee, clarinet
Garrick Zoeter, clarinet
Jesse Eagle, bass clarinet
Tim Roberts, alto saxophone
Cliff Hernandez, baritone saxophone
Gabby Pocaro, horn
Christopher Boxall, percussion
Brodie Meyers, percussion
Jonathan Newman, harmonium
Colin Davin, electric guitar
Jonathan Toomer, violin
Steven Gestrich, viola
Christian Hartman, cello
Matthew Reffner, cello
“Le Bal” from Jeux d'enfants
Georges Bizet (1838–1875)
Jean Lin, piano
Andrew Wood, piano
Shenandoah
American Folk Song
Arranged by James Erb
CONSERVATORY CHOIR
Grace Ashby, Will Ashley, Alyssa Bonfardeci, Michael Bromley, Skyy Carter, Fox Desrosiers, Maximiliano Fernandez Escalano, Emma Faraone, Erin Finnigan, Kaitlyn Flebbe, Brooke Frampton, Peter George, Aslin Given, Brendan Harper, Donnie Hawkins, Aleah Lemons, Kinsey McCulloch, Lucia Palmer, Ishmeal Parsons, Julian Robbins, Olivia Scanzera, Jessica Yorke
Richard W. Robbins, director
Big Chief
Music written by Earl King (1934–2003)
Recorded by Professor Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd) (1918–1980)
NEW ORLEANS BRASS BAND
Tyler Makowiecki, trumpet
Jeremiah Johnson, trumpet
Wade Parton, trombone
Maggie Plosch, trombone
Adam Dockins, saxophone
Alex Kilkus, saxophone
Luca Sabatino, saxophone
Luke Demers, sousaphone
Drandon Divita, drums
Annie Starliper, bass drum
Welcome & Introduction
Dr. Jennifer Smolos Steele
Dean & Professor of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory
Guest Speaker Reflections
Closing Invitation
Dr. Jennifer Smolos Steele
Dean & Professor of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory
Special thanks to John Bonanni, Patrick Brady, Andrew Carson, Maurice Fraga, Matthew Hapeman, Haeleigh Howlett, Terry Jorgensen, Jeffrey Marlatt, Grayson Miller, Katherine Neff, Jonathan Newman, Matthew Niess, John O'Conor, Courtney Reilly, Richard W. Robbins, Emerson Stark, Jennifer Smolos Steele, David Steinmetz, Kirsten Trump, Karlyn Viña and Nicholas Yovina for assisting in the planning and programming the 2025/26 Conservatory Convocation.
Dr. Jennifer Smolos Steele
Dean
Dr. Carolyn Coulson
Associate Dean for Faculty & Academic Affairs
Dr. Jeffrey Marlatt
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Dr. Jennifer Green-Flint
Assistant Dean for Administration & Finance
Executive Director of Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy
Dr. Shaun Evans
Assistant Dean for Conservatory Recruitment
Director of Athletic Bands
Courtney Reilly
Executive Director of Performances & Engagement
Artistic Director of Performing Arts Live
When you join the Shenandoah Conservatory Dean’s Circle, your annual member support helps Shenandoah Conservatory address the costs of excellence in performing arts training, equipping state-of-the-art facilities, hiring world-class faculty, and fostering experimental and creative student projects.
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Shenandoah Conservatory is grateful to the Dean's Circle for supporting our creative community of artists, scholars and educators.
Meet the Dean's Circle >
To learn more about joining the Dean’s Circle and the other ways you can make a transformative gift to Shenandoah Conservatory visit www.su.edu/performs/support or contact:
Shenandoah University Office of Advancement
give@su.edu | (540) 665-4512
Shenandoah University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
As a Friend of the Conservatory, you designate your support for a specific academic department, student ensemble, high profile guest artist or special initiative. Your gift demonstrates your appreciation for the important role the arts play in our lives and our community.
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Shenandoah Conservatory is grateful to the Friends of the Conservatory for supporting our creative community of artists, scholars and educators.
Meet the Friends of the Conservatory >
Contact Shenandoah University's Office of Advancement at (540) 665-4512 or give@su.edu for more information or other ways to give.
Shenandoah University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
