Eliza Simikian

National Stages, Volunteer Sound

UT WIND ENSEMBLE: A 155-YEAR LEGACY REACHES A NEW STAGE For the first time in the University of Tennessee Band Program’s 155-year history, the UT Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) National Conference in Spring 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. The UT Wind Ensemble was one of…
Mrs. Haslam’s Legacy

Some have described walking the hallways of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center as pure magic. From the soft playing of pianos in rehearsal rooms to the vibrant roar of the Pride of the Southland Band at practice, it’s easy to become immersed in the many soundtracks that fill the beautiful Music Center on Volunteer Boulevard. Of…
New Faces, New Possibilities

Stephen Cox Lecturer of Music Business With more than 20 years in the music and entertainment industries, Professor Cox is an award-winning composer and educator specializing in sound design, composition, and audio post-production for television, film, and games. Professor Cox teaches courses in music business such as Music Supervision in Media (Fall) and Project in…
Building on Excellence: The Future of Music Education at UT

EMMETT O’LEARY: LEADING THE NEXT CHAPTER IN MUSIC EDUCATION Emmett O’Leary, associate professor of music education, serves as the new music education area coordinator within the College. The role was previously held by Professor David Royse, who retired last year after two decades of dedicated leadership. “This program has been in great hands, and I…
The Art of Opportunity

There are moments in a student’s education that leave a lasting mark – moments when world-class artistry, cultural exchange, and hands-on learning converge to reshape howyoung musicians understand their craft. At the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, those moments are becoming a signature feature of the student experience thanks to the new Natalie L.…
A New Vision for the Stage: James Kenon Mitchell Leads UT Opera into Its Next Act

Written by Eliza Simikian Meet James Kenon Mitchell, the new Director of Opera Theatre at the UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. On November 14 – 16, UT Opera Theatre will be performing its first opera performance under the direction of Mitchell with an Italian Double Feature: La cambiale di matrimonio and Amelia al ballo. …
UT Music Professors featured at Grand Teton Festival

Written by Eliza Simikian Each summer, the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, brings together some of the finest classical musicians from around the world. Among the world-class artists performing at this year’s festival were two members of the University of Tennessee’s Natalie L. Haslam College of Music faculty: mezzo-soprano Renée Tatum, assistant…
UT Music Professor Renee Tatum to headline Knoxville Opera’s “Carmen”

Written by Eliza Simikian Renee Tatum, acclaimed mezzo-soprano and faculty member at the University of Tennessee’s Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, will take center stage in Knoxville Opera’s 2025–26 season opener, performing the title role in Bizet’s Carmen. The production, set to open this weekend (October 24 and 26), marks a major milestone in…
UT Music Professor Leads Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

Written by Eliza Simikian James Fellenbaum, associate professor and director of orchestras at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, was invited this summer to conduct at the Hollywood Bowl for Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. The Hollywood Bowl is one of the most iconic and prestigious outdoor music venues in the world, known for…
Professor Hillary Herndon Appointed as Director of Sewanee Summer Music Festival

The University of Tennessee’s Natalie L. Haslam College of Music is proud to announce that Professor Hillary Herndon, professor of viola, has been appointed as the new director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. Herndon will assume the role following a successful tenure as the festival’s associate director from 2018 to 2024. The Sewanee Summer…