Faculty Achievements

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 professor of voice, and…

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 Tatum’s already distinguished career. …

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 hosting legendary performers such…

The music of Juan Carlos “JC” Quintero, director of music business and communications in the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, continues to resonate with listeners worldwide. Two of his albums recently reached the No. 1 spot on Amazon’s Best Sellers list for Latin Jazz and remain strong on the charts. As of September 12,…

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…

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.…

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…

The UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music is thrilled to announce that Jorge Variego, professor of music and technology, has been honored with the FY25 Individual Artist Fellowship in Music Composition by the Tennessee Arts Commission. This award celebrates Variego’s outstanding achievements in contemporary music composition and his significant contributions to the arts community. …