Alissa Galyon

UT String Project Makes Music Accessible to Knoxville Schoolchildren

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…
Professor Hillary Herndon Honored with UT’s Thomas Jefferson Prize

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

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…
UT Wind Ensemble Makes Historic Debut at National Conference

For the first time in the University of Tennessee Band Program’s 155-year history, the UT Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) National Conference on March 27 in Fort Worth, Texas. The UT Wind Ensemble is one of only seven performing groups selected to perform on a…
UT Music Professor’s Albums Chart on Amazon’s Best Sellers List

The music of Juan Carlos “JC” Quintero, director of music business and communications in the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, is making waves in the Latin Jazz world once again. His latest album, Desserts (2023), reached No. 1 on Amazon’s Best Sellers list for Latin Jazz, with Table for Five (2021) following at No.…
Behind the Music: A Look Inside the Akropolis Reed Quintet Residency

For one unforgettable week, the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music welcomed the internationally acclaimed, GRAMMY-winning Akropolis Reed Quintet for a dynamic residency in February 2025, immersing students in the artistry, collaboration, and innovation that define chamber music at its best. Now, in our latest video, we’re pulling back the curtain on this inspiring experience. …
Auditions Open for Community-Based Tennessee Honor Percussion Ensemble

Andy Bliss, associate professor of percussion at UT, serves as the director of the new community-based ensemble.
UT Music Launches Distinguished Artist/Lecturer Residency Series with Grammy-Nominated Akropolis Reed Quintet Residency

There’s something truly special about having world-class artistry come to campus—especially when it’s part of a multi-year commitment to elevate student learning and engage the community. The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee is doing just that with the launch of the Natalie L. Haslam Distinguished Resident Artist/Lecturer Series in…
UT College of Music sees rise in retention rates

Originally posted in the Daily Beacon, written by Samantha Whitley The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music is one of the few independent music colleges in the United States and is recognized as the fourth college at the University of Tennessee to be named after someone in 230 years. Even as a new college, the College…
Drum Line Member Uses Engineering Resources to Fix Part

Original story written by Rhiannon Potkey, Tickle College of Engineering Anukkah Burleson thought there had to be a better solution to fix the whale tail connector on the carrier of her bass drum. Every year, like clockwork, the part would break. Burleson, a senior mechanical engineering major, is a member of the drumline for the…