Class of 2024 Spotlights

Sarah Benson (She/Her)

Major(s):

Choral/General Music Education

Instrument:

Voice, Soprano

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

"Some of the most meaningful experiences I had at Miami University were the opportunities to perform as a soloist in choral works such as Handel's Messiah and C.H. Johnson's Considering Matthew Shephard. I am very fortunate to have been able to have performance and solo opportunities such as this as an undergraduate student."

Plans after graduation:

I will be teaching PK-5 General Music and Elementary Choir in Carroll County, MD.

Lauren Burt (She/They)

Major:

Music Education (Choral/General)

Instrument:

Voice - Mezzo-soprano

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

"My favorite memory from Miami was learning and performing Craig Hella Johnson’s “Considering Matthew Shepard” with Chamber Singers in Spring 2023. This was such a moving experience and I grew much closer with my choir colleagues and working with the Matthew Shepard Foundation was an incredible honor."

Plans after graduation:

I plan to start my teaching career, hopefully teaching middle school music.

Benjamin Liber (He/Him)

Majors:

Music Performance and Mathematics

Co-major/Minor:

Accountancy, Music Composition, Computer Science

Instruments:

Euphonium and Tuba

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

"Being able to take part in the Pan Rocks performance was an amazing and unforgettable experience"

Plans after graduation:

I will be attending Drexel University to pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics.

Leah McCain (She/Her)

Major:

Music Education (Choral/General)

Instrument:

Piano and Voice

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

"My favorite memory during my time as a Music Major at Miami University would be after singing Considering Matthew Shepard with the Miami University Chamber Singers. I remember we were singing "all of us" and towards the end of the piece all I could think about was how much I loved, understood, and appreciated the people I was singing with. It was even more touching that after the performance I was able to share laughs, tears, smiles, and hugs with members and at that moment I was reminded of the powerful community a choir can cultivate."

Plans after graduation:

Continue teaching private lessons and group classes over the summer and begin teaching in public schools in the fall!

Alec Reder (He/Him)

Major:

Music Education

Instrument:

Saxophone

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

"Performing a concerto with MUSO in the Spring of '23."

Plans after graduation:

I plan to teach music full-time somewhere in Ohio!

Isaac Yoby (He/Him)

Major:

Music Education

Instrument:

Trumpet

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

"Being a winner of the Miami Undergraduate Competition and performing on the second convocation"

Plans after graduation:

Full-time teaching

Yi Yun Chin (She/Her)

Instrument:

Piano

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

During my time at Miami, two significant highlights were my graduate solo recital and SBP chamber recital. The solo recital allowed me to develop my musicality and technical skills through a diverse repertoire, which significantly enhanced my performance abilities. On the other hand, the chamber recital, focusing on piano duets by women composers, provided valuable insights into collaborative performance and ensemble playing. These experiences not only strengthened my performance skills but also deepened my understanding of pedagogy, especially in terms of repertoire selection and teaching methods. Overall, they were instrumental in shaping my approach to both performance and pedagogy.

Plans After Graduation:

After graduation, I aim to pursue a path that combines my passion for piano performance with my dedication to innovative and inclusive music education. I plan to continue performing while exploring new teaching approaches and repertoire that cater to diverse musical tastes.

Chyh Leng Low (She/Her)

Instrument:

Piano

Meaningful Moment/Experience/Award:

My meaningful experience at Miami University is being able to arrange some of my favorite piano solo works by one of my favorite composers - Sergei Prokofiev, into a chamber setting and perform them with the awesome MU percussionists.

Plans After Graduation:

I am fortunate enough to receive a full assistantship offer from James Madison University for my Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Music Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature, and will be attending in the fall!