Alumnus and Professors Tour China
Edward Knight, director of music composition and founder of Project 21, and alumnus violinist Kyle Dillingham joined forces over the summer on a two-week tour of performances, presentations and masterclasses across China. In the remote Tibetan region of western China, the duo became the first-ever Western artists to perform and present at Gansu Minzu Normal University.
Dillingham returned to China with Peter Markes, associate professor of music and longtime member of his band Horseshoe Road, to represent the United States at the Sixth Annual Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, Gansu.
Faculty Honors
Parthena Owens, associate director of flute and director of the OCU Flute Studio, is celebrating her 36th year on the OCU faculty while Dean Mark Parker and Larry Keller, associate professor of voice, are both beginning their 34th year.
Jeffrey Grogan, professor of music and director of orchestral activities, led the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras in their Carnegie Hall debut June 6 co-concert with the NYC All-City Orchestra and Staten Island’s Wagner High School, emceed by alumna Midge Woolsey.
Tony Gonzalez, associate director of choral activities, was a featured presenter over the summer at the 2023 Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop at Boston Conservatory.
2024 National Association of Teachers of Singing Musical Theatre Competition
Tony-winning alumnae Kelli O’Hara and Kristin Chenoweth joined forces in January for the gala finals of the 2024 National Association of Teachers of Singing Musical Theatre Competition, celebrating our own Professor Emerita Florence Birdwell. Chenoweth continues her tenure as an OCU artist in residence, having visited campus October 19 for a two-hour masterclass with performing arts students.
New Director of Choral Activities
Julie Yu was recently appointed as the new director of choral activities. Dean Mark Parker noted, “I am elated that Julie Yu is leading the choral program at Oklahoma City University. Together with our good partners Canterbury Voices, we have brought one of the nation’s finest choral directors to Oklahoma City. I know that she will create performances that will inspire, enrich and impact us all.”
