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UTEP Department of Music faculty members continue to be highly engaged with community arts organizations including the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, El Paso Pro Musica, and El Paso Opera. Department of Music faculty present regularly at area school district teacher in-service trainings and give numerous master classes at area schools.   

As a whole, the Department of Music at UTEP continues to maintain a strong national and international presence through faculty presentations, performances, and clinics around the world. The past year has shown a marked increase in regional, national and international attention for our student ensembles through invitations to several high profile conferences.

>> Click here to review previous years' faculty achievements. <<

Oscar Macchioni, Piano

In 2019, Dr. Macchioni was inducted into the UTEP Academy of Distinguished Teachers, “In Recognition of Outstanding Teaching and Dedication to Students.” Previously, he was awarded the coveted UT Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.

 Nancy Taylor, Trumpet

Professor Nancy Taylor (who also has a master's degree in Occupational Therapy) has been very busy this year. In June, she was a soloist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference. In addition, Ms. Taylor: 

• was interviewed about her book, Teaching Healthy Musicianship, for the "Friday Finds" feature on 
• was invited to be the guest speaker at the UTEP Occupational Therapy Alumni Dinner in December 2017
• ​wrote an article on hearing health titled, "Conserve your Earsight" for 
• ​presented a clinic, Health and Wellness for the Brass Player at the International Women's Brass Conference in June
• ​presented 3 clinics on Healthy Musicianship at the Conn-Selmer Institute in June: 

• •     "Shoulders for Conductions"
  •     "Teaching Healthy Musicianship"
  •     "Wellness and Injury Prevention for Marching Band" 

Brian Downen, Voice

Brian Downen, tenor, has become a regular soloist with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, having performed principal roles in Roberto Devereux and Eugene Onegin and understudying principal roles in Manon Lescaut and Les contes d'Hoffmann. He is the founder and music director of Innovative Music Camps which hosts an annual summer show choir camp for middle school and high school students in Southern Illinois. He is also the organizer of the annual . Mr. Downen teaches applied voice, choir and diction. 

Zuill Bailey, Cello

Zuill Bailey won two Grammys in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category and in the Best Contemporary Classical Composition category. His Grammy-winning work was featured on “Daugherty: Tales Of Hemingway; American Gothic; Once Upon A Castle.” The album also won a Grammy in the Best Classical Compendium category.  Mr. Bailey is looking forward to his first year as Artist Director of the Center for Arts Entrepreneurship.  The Center will provide valuable hands-on experiences for UTEP students in the arts on how to create successful careers in the arts in the 21^st Century. 

Dr. Bradley Genevro, Director of Bands

The UTEP Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Dr. Bradley Genevro, were invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference in San Antonio in February 2018.  This highly competitive invitation is national-level recognition given the size and scope of the Texas Music Educators Association. The UTEP Symphonic Winds, also under the direction of Dr. Bradley Genevro, were invited to perform at the American Bandmaster’s Association Conference in Colorado in the spring of 2019.  This is a true honor for the band and Dr. Genevro and will mark the first time a UTEP ensemble has performed at this national conference. 

Richard Lambrecht, Horn

The UTEP Horn Choir, under the direction of Mr. Richard Lambrecht, has been invited to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in December, 2017.  This is the largest conference of its kind in the world and will mark the first time a UTEP student ensemble has been invited to perform.  Additionally, the horn choir has been invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference in San Antonio in February 2018.

Dr. Lowell Graham, Conductor 

Dr. Lowell Graham continues to have a strong national and international presence through his leadership on numerous boards including President and CEO, John Philip Sousa Foundation, Board of Directors member, Association of Concert Bands, Vice President, American Bandmasters Association, United States Air Force (USAF) Media Contest Adjudicator for USAF Public Affairs, and External and Professional Advisor Appointed by the Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Northern Colorado School of Music Advisory Board.  Dr. Graham is an active guest conductor and clinician with appearances at the Mexican Army Band Directors Clinic in Mexico City,  Veteran's Day Concert and Celebration in Indianapolis, IN,  The United States Air Force Band 75th Anniversary Concert in Washington, D.C., Colorado State Concert Band Festival, and numerous All-Region bands.  Additionally, Dr. Graham presented at numerous conferences including the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Texas Bandmaster's Association Conference, the Conn-Selmer Institute, and several public school in-services around the country. 

Dr. Dominic Dousa, Composition

Dr. Dominic Dousa continues to have his compositions performed internationally with performances in Germany, Mexico, and across the United States.  He performed at the College Music Society National Conference, and had his music accepted for performance at the national conferences for National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, National Flute Association, and North American Saxophone Alliance.

Dr. Andrea Shaheen, Musicology, Oboe

Dr. Andrea Shaheen Espinosa recently hosted, "Perspectives in Counterpoint", a week-long Arab and Jewish music residency with renowned musicians Layale Chaker and Hannah Nicholas. The guest artists concluded their stay with a performance with UTEP's Middle Eastern music ensemble, Layali Al-Sham. The concert was attended by the UTEP, El Paso, and Juarez communities.

Dr. Shaheen Espinosa was recently invited to give a talk for the XXXVI International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association in Barcelona, Spain, where she will present her research on Arab music performance practice in Latin America.

Steve Wilson, Trombone

Professor of Trombone and Department Chair, Dr. Steve Wilson, performed the world premiere of Thunpa Punshi (Four Harmonious Friends) composed by Director of Education for Lincoln Center, Bruce Adolphe, at the Off the Hook Arts Festival in Colorado.  The ensemble included Steve Wilson, Bruce Adolphe, and Grammy-winning performers Mike Block, Kaoru Watanabe and Shane Shanahan.   

Dr. Elisa Fraser Wilson, Director of Choirs

The UTEP Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Elisa Wilson, were invited to perform as the Choir-in-Residence at Leeds Cathedral.  This will mark the ensemble’s second trip to England and will feature performances in Leeds and Liverpool.  Additionally, Dr. Elisa Wilson served as a Conducting Clinician at the Texas Choral Director’s Association Conference in San Antonio in July 2017. 

Dr. David Ross, Clarinet

Dr. David Ross contributed two CD reviews for The Clarinet, the Journal of the International Clarinet Association. 

Dr. Chris Reyman, Piano, Commercial Music

Dr. Chris Reyman continues to develop the Commercial Music Ensemble which has significantly increased its profile on campus.  Dr. Reyman’s scholarly work involves film scoring, collaborative improvisation, and piano performance.  He has been quite active in these areas with a new CD release with local jazz musicians, collaborations with UTEP Dance Faculty Member Paola Lopez, and eight short film scores. 

Dr. Stephen Nordstrom, Violin, Viola

Dr. Stephen Nordstrom performed several recitals at UTEP, Las Cruces, Ruidoso, and Juarez.  Dr. Nordstrom also presented guest recitals at the College Music Society National Conference and at Wright State Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é.

Dr. Stephanie Meyers, Violin, Director of The String Project

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Dr. Stephanie Meyers successfully completed the first year of The String Project at UTEP.  This grant funded program brings elementary students to the UTEP campus for weekly music lessons taught by local master teacher Ida Stedman, with assistance from UTEP music majors.  Dr. Meyers continues to perform with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and adjudicated for the Music Teacher’s National Association Division Competition.

Dr. Oscar Macchioni, Piano

Dr. Macchioni released a new CD “Piazzolla da Camera” with his trio.  The recording is scheduled to be published by Centaur Records in Fall 2017.  Dr. Macchioni also presented at the Universidad Nacional de Tucuman in Argentina, at the Texas Music Teachers Association State Convention in Dallas, and performed regularly in El Paso as part of the Texas Commission on the Arts Cultural Affairs programing. 

Cherry Duke, Voice, Opera

Ms. Duke performed her recital "Women's Work," in El Paso, Las Cruces and by invitation at Converse College in South Carolina, the Texoma Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Northeastern State Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é in Oklahoma, where she was the featured guest for their annual Voice Festival. She performed at the El Paso Holocaust Museum for the closing celebrations of their Vedem exhibit. As director of Opera UTEP, Ms. Duke began UTEP Opera Scholars for area high school students interested in an operatic career. Last year, Opera UTEP singers were guest soloists with the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras and gave outreach concerts at retirement communities and homeless shelters. Duke is on the faculty of Clear Creek Music Festival and Innovative Music Camps. 

In the 2017-18 season, Ms. Duke sang the role of Hansel in El Paso Opera's innovative production of Hansel and Gretel and was a featured soloist on the Philanthopy Theater's "Jewel Box Series" and on El Paso Opera's May 2018 concert, Mozart by Moonlight. Additionally, she was invited to perform at the 2nd annual Music by Women Festival in Columbus, Mississippi.