At least four albums featuring music performed, recorded and composed by Shenandoah Conservatory alumni and faculty have been nominated for 2025 Grammy Awards.

‘The Outsiders’ – Nominated for Best Musical Theater Album

“The Outsiders,” an album featuring Brody Grant ’21 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) and the original Broadway cast of the Tony Award-winning musical, was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Musical Theater Album. Grant was cast in the lead role in Fall 2023.

‘Bespoke Songs’ – Nominated for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

“Bespoke Songs,” an album released on July 5 by Associate Professor of Voice (Soprano) Fotina Naumenko, D.M.A., was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Classical Solo Vocal Album. The album features a collection of works she commissioned for voice and ensembles with various instrumentations that set texts by female authors, including the title piece, written by Director of Composition, Coordinator of New Music and Associate Professor of Composition Jonathan Newman, M.M. The album is a celebration of the art of collaborative chamber music featuring voice, and was created in collaboration with 14 other conservatory faculty and alumni:

• Marika Bournaki, M.M., Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy & Performance
• Julietta Curenton, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Flute
• Colin Davin, M.M., Director of Guitar Studio; Associate Professor of Guitar
• Mark Edwards, (attended Shenandoah Conservatory from 2013 to 2016 and pursued a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance)
• Nadège Foofat, D.M., former Shenandoah Conservatory adjunct faculty member (conductor)
• Josh Frey ’19, ’20 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology, Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership & Management) (recording assistant)
• Dan Merceruio ’06 (Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Commercial Music) (producer)
• Tim Roberts, D.M.A., Chair of Instrumental Division; Coordinator for Conservatory in the Community; Professor of Saxophone
• Ryan Romine, D.M.A., Associate Professor of Bassoon
• Dan Shores ’99, B.M., Adjunct Associate Professor of Music Production & Recording Technology (recording and mastering engineer)
• Julian Schwarz, M.M., Associate Professor of Cello
• Akemi Takayama, D.M.A., Victor Brown Endowed Chair in Violin; Professor of Violin
• Karlyn R. Viña, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Percussion
• Garrick Zoeter, M.M., Anna Lee van Buren Endowed Chair in Clarinet; Coordinator of Winds and Percussion; Professor of Clarinet

‘Clear Voices in the Dark’ – Nominated for Best Engineered Album, Classical & Best Choral Performance

Matthew Guard and Skylark Vocal Ensemble’s “Clear Voices in the Dark,” an album engineered and mastered by Adjunct Associate Professor of Music Production & Recording Technology Dan Shores ’99, B.M., was nominated for a Grammy in the categories of Best Engineered Album, Classical and Best Choral Performance. Dr. Naumenko also performed as a singer and Dan Merceruio ’06 (Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Commercial Music) served as the producer for the album. The project features songs of the American Civil War with music composed by Francis Poulenc, Henry L. Tucker, Frederick Buckley, William Oscar Perkins, Irving Gordon, Walter Kittredge, William Henry Monk and Julia Ward Howe, as well as traditional Irish songs.

‘Akathist’ – Nominated for Best Choral Performance

“Akathist,” an oratorio performance featuring Naumenko as a soloist with the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Artefact Ensemble, NOVUS NY and others performing Benedict Sheehan’s groundbreaking work, was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Choral Performance. The album was recorded at the historic Trinity Church in New York City and weaves together medieval chant, Anglo-American hymns, gospel, and jazz, offering a unique perspective on sacred music and a radically constructive response to injustice and evil.

Watch Live

The 2025 Grammy Awards, officially known as the 67th Grammy Awards, will take place live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 2, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

Did we miss mentioning someone who was nominated or associated with a project that was nominated for a Grammy Award? Email omc@su.edu to share and help keep our records updated!