March 2025 Class Notes
Thomas Wilkins (C ’78) was featured in the PBS special “Beyond the Baton: A Conductor’s Journey,” a documentary highlighting his remarkable career.
Alice M. Hammel’s (C ’87, ’99) article entitled, “Pathmakers of Change: Empowering Future Generations Through Inclusive Music Education” was featured in “Becoming an Unstoppable Woman” magazine.
On March 3, Nicole Long (AS ’01, EL ’10) hosted three Shenandoah education students from the field hockey team to read to her kindergarten class at Evendale Elementary in Winchester, Virginia celebrating Read Across America. (pictured left)
On Feb. 8, Jarrett Ali Boyd (C ’03) sang a Negro Spiritual at Crusader for Freedom & Civil Rights event in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Christopher Williams (B ’03) is the new controller at Shenandoah University.
Bronwen Landless (C ’04, ’13) served as lead author for an article entitled, “Exploring a therapeutic songwriting program with three people experiencing homelessness and their communities through a cross case analysis,” which was published in “The Arts of Psychotherapy.”
John Karos (C ’18) was recognized by the Maryland Music Educators Association as a 2025 Awards for Excellence recipient.
On March 14, Maya Lončar’s (C ’18) debut album “Danse Rythmique” was released through Doberman Musique, a Canadian music label.
Ting-Yu Chen, (EL ’19) the associate dean for academic success and professor of dance, has announced her retirement from Shenandoah University at the end of the 2024/25 academic year, after 28 years. (pictured right)
Drew Elhamalawy (C ’21) will assist Tony Award winner Michael Arden and Jordan Champe (C ’22) will be playing multiple characters in the ensemble of “The Lost Boys: The Musical” workshop, which will be heading to Broadway in Spring 2026.
Dan Shores (C ’99) and Brody Grant (C ’21) attended the 67th annual Grammy Awards alongside fellow Shenandoah Conservatory faculty members, as nominees and participants on several nominated projects.
Wayne David Hubbard (EL ’23) was appointed to an aerospace research committee for the National Academy of Sciences.
Sarah Thompson (C ’24) joined the national tour of “The Cher Show,” performing in the pit orchestra.
Mason Wright (ANG) joined Seth Mulder & Midnight Run band as the mandolin and lead vocalist.
Daryle Stafford (ANG) was highlighted in “Utah Business’s Founder Series” as the founder and CEO of Veracity Insurance Solutions, InsCipher and Insurance Canopy.
Alumni Passing
Steven L. Cooksey (B ’89) of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on March 10, 2025. Dr. Cooksey, a professor emeritus in organ and church music, taught for 42 years from 1972-2014. (pictured left)
Mary Louise McWhorter Zickefoose of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on March 14, 2025. Zickefoose, a professor of mathematics, taught for 20 years at Shenandoah College.
