On Feb. 10, Alice Hammel (C ’87, ’99) announced her partnership with the Saudi Music Commission and will travel to Saudi Arabia to train educators in music education strategies tailored to students with diverse learning needs. 

Laura Woyasz (C ’98) joined the tour of Best Musical Tony winner “Kimberly Akimbo” in the role of Pattie. (pictured left)

Alexander Serio (C ’09) was featured in Musical America’s 2024 Top 30 Professionals list for his achievements with the Sitka Music Festival and as a trumpet educator.

Kaitlin Sommer (AS ’11) began a new role as assistant principal at Millbrook High School in Winchester, Virginia. 

On Feb. 12, Julian Crowhurst’s (C ’13) Perennial Order: Suite for Orchestra was conducted by J. Aaron Hardwick (C ’21, B ’22) and performed by the Münchner Rundfunkorchester at the Prince Regent Theatre in Munich, Germany. 

Ashante Green (C ’14, ’15) returned to Shenandoah University to collaborate with Shenandoah Conservatory’s Dance Ensemble as a choreographer for their “Reflections: Invited Choreographers Showcase” performance. 

 Brooke Boatright (AS ’15) was named Creekside Elementary School’s 2024 Teacher of the Year in Limestone County, Alabama. 

Kelsee Kimmel (C ’16) served as a standby for the role of Jersey in the musical “Hell’s Kitchen.” 

Victoria Okafor (C ’17) debuted at Lincoln Center in the role of Alesha in the American opera “Blind Justice,” presented by MasterVoices. On Feb. 22, she also performed with the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra in their Love Notes concerts.

Edryn Coleman (C ’18) joined Marques Garrett to compile and edit “Accessible and Beautiful: Repertoire for Mixed Voice to Encourage Connection and Growth,” recently published by Oxford University Press. 

Stephanie Ycaza (C ’19), authored “Musical Fundamentals for Tuba,” recently published by Conway Publications. 

Nick Manuel (AS, EL ’19) started as head football coach at Millbrook High School in Winchester, Virginia. (pictured right)

Jane Clukey’s (C ’22) article entitled “Temporomandibular Disorders and Singing Voice: A Summary of the Research” was published in Voice and Speech Review. 

Manolya Martin (HP ’22) is the site director and female health specialist for Rehab 2 Perform in Reston. Virginia. 

Cole Vaughan (C ’23) has joined the original Broadway cast of “Floyd Collins,” in the role of Jewell Estes.

Alumni Passing

Opal A. Wolford (N ’94, ’96) of Winchester, Virginia passed away on Jan. 17, 2025.

Stefan J. Debski (B ’12, ’17, P ’17) of Powhatan, Virginia passed away on Feb. 1, 2025. (pictured left)

Michele K. Havener (C ’77) of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away on Jan. 21, 2025. 

James R. Sadler (C ’49) of Rockville, Maryland passed away on July 23, 2022.