Last Tuesday marked a special occasion as we gathered to honor the accomplishments of our talented Natalie L. Haslam College of Music students throughout the academic year at our biannual convocation. Attendees were treated to captivating performances, showcasing the top three winners of the Exhibition for Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURECA).
The highlight of the event was the recognition of our exceptional graduating undergraduate and graduate students, who were awarded for their outstanding contributions in their major. Additionally, undergraduate students were applauded for their noteworthy achievements, while new members of Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society were duly acknowledged. The event also served as a platform to commend the 2025-26 student ambassadors and unveil the incoming 2026-27 student ambassadors.
Congratulations to all students honored during this event!
2026 Awards & Recognition
Outstanding Undergraduate Seniors
- Brass – Elijah Hoffman
- Jazz – Jalen Baker
- Keyboard – Joseph Ansary
- Music Business – Sherleen Mwaura
- Music Education – Gerald “Christian” Carroll & Evan Gill
- Musicology – Natalie Rundblade
- Percussion – Annika Blackburn
- Strings – Stephen Arthur
- Voice – Emma Poppert
- Woodwind – Anna Hutchinson
Outstanding Graduate Students
- Brass – Andrew Beiter
- Jazz – Tristan Boh
- Keyboard – Parnian Khalafrezaei Heidari
- Music Theory/Tech/Composition – Garrett Booth
- Musicology – Nick Horner
- Percussion – Freddy Morales
- Voice – Nicole Dayton
- Woodwind – Alex Singleton
Presser Scholar Award
The Presser Foundation based in Haverford, Pennsylvania has established an award at the University of Tennessee known as the Presser Scholarship. This scholarship is presented annually to a music major, who is a rising senior with a high-grade point average and at least 1/3 of their classes outside the field of music. The award is voted on by the entire faculty. The student recipient is known as the Presser Scholar.
- Caleb DeLong
Gerald W. Barnes Woodwind Award
The Gerald W. Barnes fund for Excellence in Woodwinds was established by the Arkansas Community Foundation to provide an annual award to a student of excellence in woodwinds at the University of Tennessee. The sole criterion for this award is excellence.
- Alex Singleton
Exhibition for Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURECA)
1st Place – Ex Montibus Saxophone Quartet
– Brady Vermillion, Saxophonist (Music Education)
– Tristan Cook, Saxophonist (Music Education)
– Tyler Santel, Saxophonist (Applied Music Major w/ a minor in Pre-Health Professions)
– Ben Bass, Saxophonist (Music Education)
2nd Place – Rebecca Deal, Flutist (Junior Flute Performance)
3rd Place – Jacob Studley, Vocalist (Freshman Vocal Performance & BS in Public Affairs)
Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society – New Members
Pi Kappa Lambda is an honor society, the only music organization recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. It was dedicated by its founders to the fostering of scholarly interest in the theoretical and historical aspects of music, and the pursuit of eminent achievement in performance, composition, music education, and research.
- Elijah Ailey
- Andrew Beiter
- Hope Butler
2026 – 2027 Student Ambassadors
The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music is thrilled to welcome our next class of Student Ambassadors for the 2026 – 2027 academic year:
New Ambassadors
- Cam Allen
- Justin Bowers
- AJ Duhaime
- Levi Gayso
- Ellie Grossman
- M.K. Harris
- Caleb Jennings
- Will Jennings
- Caylen Judd
- Gavin Morris
- Sophia Newton
- Anna Robertson
Returning Ambassadors
- Elijah Ailey
- Larsen Buck
- Shandi Dice
- Sydney Flenniken
- Isaac Hair
- Reagan Imwalle
- Virginia Klenske
- Ella Pinchok
- Emily Stewart
- Ben Strobel
- Phil Troutman
- Matthew Walker
2025-26 Student Ambassadors Recognition
The following students served as Student Ambassadors for the 2025 – 2026 academic year, and will either be graduating this year or completing their final semester as Student Ambassadors in Fall 2026.
- Caleb, DeLong
- Ally, McNabb
- Sherleen, Mwaura
