Natalie L. Haslam College of Music

Archives for May 2025

UT String Project Makes Music Accessible to Knoxville Schoolchildren

by

The UT String Project runs first-, second-, and third-year classes on campus for Knoxville children during fall and spring semesters. The classes consist mainly of elementary-age children, with some middle school students in private, upper-level lessons. Typically, such instruction costs hundreds of dollars, but String Project offers accessible price points with UT undergraduate and graduate music students teaching classes. UT students lead classes under the guidance of two master teachers, who work outside the university as fulltime music teachers.

Professor Hillary Herndon Honored with UT’s Thomas Jefferson Prize 

by

Hillary Herndon, professor of viola at the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Prize, one of the highest faculty honors bestowed by the university. 

Presented during last week’s Academic Honors Banquet, the Thomas Jefferson Prize recognizes tenured or tenure-track faculty members for distinguished achievement in research and creative activity, especially in disciplines where securing external funding is limited. The award includes a $6,000 annual stipend for up to three years.  

The Academic Honors Banquet, established in 2021, celebrates the achievements of UT Knoxville’s faculty, staff, and students. The awards highlight those who embody the Volunteer spirit through excellence in research, creative activity, leadership, and service to the campus community. 

Herndon, an internationally recognized violist, has built a reputation for her expressive artistry, insightful pedagogy, and advocacy for underrepresented voices in classical music. Time Out New York has praised her “sweetly soaring tone,” and she has performed with world-renowned artists including Itzhak Perlman, who once described her as “having it all… a gifted teacher and an excellent musician.” 

In addition to her three acclaimed solo recordings on MSR Classics—La Viola, American Voices, and 1919: Hidden Treasures from an Epoch Year—Herndon has appeared on NPR and PBS and led master classes around the world, including at Carnegie Hall, Juilliard, and the Sibelius Academy in Finland. 

Herndon joined the UT faculty in 2003 and has been a driving force behind new initiatives within the college. She is the founder of the annual Viola Celebration and co-founder of Mosaic Music Publications, which curate’s anthologies for string students featuring composers from historically underrepresented communities. In 2023, Mosaic released The Beginning series for solo and ensemble strings featuring works by Black and Latino composers. 

“Being a Volunteer means asking how we can help when we see an area of need,” Herndon said. “One of the things I appreciate most about being at the UT College of Music is the support to help tackle new projects, no matter how far outside the ‘traditional way of doing things’ they may be.”

In recent years, Herndon’s leadership and service have extended beyond campus. She served as president of the American Viola Society from 2020 to 2023, receiving the organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 2024. That same year, she was named an Individual Artist Fellow by the Tennessee Arts Commission and received the Creative/Scholarly Achievement Award from the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. She now serves as executive director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. 

For more information about the Thomas Jefferson Prize and the Academic Honors Banquet, please visit https://liveutk.sharepoint.com/sites/provost/SitePages/Thomas-Jefferson-Prize-winner.aspx. 

UT Music Student Avery Noe named recipient of the Presser Foundation’s Undergraduate Scholar Award 

by

The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is proud to announce that Avery Noe, a senior double majoring in musicology and history with minors in music theory and applied music, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Presser Foundation’s Undergraduate Scholar Award for 2025. 

The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award is presented annually by the Presser Foundation to a select student with exceptional academic and musical achievement. To further the Presser Foundation’s mission to provide philanthropic support for music and music education, its Undergraduate Scholar Award provides financial support to help foster the recipient’s continued studies and growth in the field of music. It recognizes musical excellence, leadership, and academic performance. The funds can be used for degree-related expenses or additional musical opportunities. 

Noe, who has been playing double bass since the age of 10, has made significant contributions to the UT music community during her time as a student. Originally a double major in geology and applied music, Noe discovered her true passion for music history and pivoted to pursue a career in the field. She has since excelled in her academic and musical pursuits, including presenting research on Frédéric Chopin at the 2024 Harvard Graduate Music Conference and gaining valuable performance experience in diverse musical genres. 

“It’s a huge honor to be named the Presser Scholar,” Noe said. “When I got the announcement, I immediately called my mom to celebrate! It’s been an amazing experience studying music at UT, and I’m grateful for the mentorship I’ve received along the way.” 

Throughout her undergraduate studies, Noe has also been involved in the Appalachian String Band, a group that has shaped her growth as a musician. Her work with the ensemble, including performances at notable events like the 2024 Pellissippi Bluegrass Showcase and the 2025 Jubilee Festival, has deepened her appreciation for the cultural significance of bluegrass music. 

Reflecting on her time with the Appalachian String Band, Noe said, “Being in the ensemble for three years after having no background in bluegrass or folk was such a rewarding experience. It completely changed how I think about music and how it’s made. It’s also been a special way for me to connect with my family’s roots in Tennessee. My Papaw used to tell me stories about his father being a fiddler, and now I get to carry that tradition forward.” 

Noe credits her success to the mentorship she’s received from faculty members such as Professors Mary Campbell, David Salkowski, Jon Hamar, and Beau Gaitors, who have guided her in research, performance, and historical writing. “Each of them has shaped my academic journey in such a meaningful way,” Noe said. “Professor Salkowski, in particular, helped me refine my research on Chopin, teaching me how to frame historical stories better and approach my work with an open mind. The research I did for my honors thesis has really shaped how I approach history now.” 

Additionally, Noe is passionate about using music as a tool for building community and documenting history. “Music is a way we can document the experiences of marginalized people in more personal and humanistic ways. Art has been an outlet for the voices that history sometimes overlooks, and music plays an essential role in preserving those stories.” 

After graduation, Noe will be leaving Tennessee to embark on the next chapter of her academic journey in California. She has recently accepted an offer to join Stanford University’s PhD program in Musicology. With aspirations to both teach and conduct research after earning her PhD, Noe’s deep commitment to music and academic excellence has laid a solid foundation for her future success. The recognition she has received from the Presser Foundation further highlights her outstanding achievements and marks a significant milestone in her promising career. 

For more information about the Presser Foundation’s Undergraduate Scholar Award, visit The Presser Foundation’s website.