Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2023 61 FRIEND OF THE ARTS a person who is supportive of and actively involved in the arts at a local or regional level Classical. In its sixth season with audiences in over 2000 cities worldwide, ompson has worked with Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Davis, clarinetist Anthony McGill and legendary operatic soprano, Angela Brown. He has served as the Agape Music Institute Artist in Residence with Bellarmine University and with the Black and Baroque Guest Lecture Series at Butler University, as well as with his alma mater DePauw University. Some of his performance history includes Opera in the Park with the Indianapolis Opera Company, the Lacy Family Distinguished Lecturer Series at the Indiana Historical Society, the In-Choiring Minds Series with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Sofar Sounds in Boston, the Sock Joplin (ompson's professional nickname) Community Art Space Salon Series, and many others. His work in researching Black artists for his podcast has truly been remarkable. Joshua ompson reputation far exceeds his Indianapolis community. Russ Grazier, Jr. Russ Grazier, Jr. was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Boston Alumnae Chapter in May. Mr. Grazier is a composer and saxophonist who has taught saxophone, composition, and music theory for over 25 years. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition with Saxophone Concentration at Boston Conservatory and a Master's degree in Composition at Peabody Conservatory. Additionally, he studied graduate- level composition at the University of Chicago. He has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country, including Boston Conservatory, Roosevelt University, the University of Chicago College, the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, and the Merit School of Music. Russ is a Co-Founder of the Portsmouth Music & Arts Center (PMAC) and its Executive Director and director of its New Horizons Band. In 2022, he gave a TEDx Talk on how music can combat loneliness and isolation for older adults. Amy Guevara Amy Guevara was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Kappa Chapter at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in May. Soprano Amy Guevara – praised by Opera News for "bringing sunny passion to Carmela" in Manuel de Falla's La Vida Breve – has been heard on opera, concert, and recital stages throughout the United States and abroad. Favorite roles include Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), the Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Roselinde (Die Fledermaus), and Monica (e Medium). Guevara has sung with Opera eatre of Northern Virginia under the baton of John Jacob Niles and has also performed with Victorian Lyric Opera, Mesa Light Opera, Lyric Opera eatre, Opera in the Ozarks, and Indiana Opera eatre. Guevara is an Instructor of Voice at University of Nebraska Lincoln, as well as an adjunct professor of voice at Doane University and Nebraska Wesleyan University in Voice. Previously, she has taught at Concordia University in Voice. Guevara is well-respected for her teaching in numerous styles including classical, opera, and musical theatre, and as a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, her students have won numerous awards and honorable mentions. Guevara earned her Master of Music from Arizona State University in Opera and her Bachelor of Music in Voice with Dance and eatre minors from Butler University. Eric LeBlanc Eric LeBlanc was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Lafayette Alumnae Chapter in May. Eric LeBlanc is a native of Abbeville, LA, and a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He currently teaches at Paul Breaux Middle School (Lafayette) and serves as the director of all bands and instrumental ensembles. LeBlanc was a finalist for the LEF Teacher of e Year Award for Middle School Teacher in 2010, and in 2019 was the Paul Breaux Middle Teacher of the Year and a semifinalist for the Middle School Teacher of the Year. He holds membership in Phi Beta Mu and LMEA and is vice-president of the area band directors' association (SLBDA). He was the first Lafayette Parish recipient to win the Louisiana Music Educators' Association Standard of Excellence Award. LeBlanc's bands consistently perform to superior ratings at both local and state levels. His Paul Breaux Band was recently featured on a local news station as the "Spirit of Acadiana" for their hospital concert series and for their support of individuals with special needs. As a performing musician, LeBlanc plays saxophone in various bands in the Acadiana area and currently performs with the GTO Party Band. Dr. Jonathan Nichol Dr. Jonathan Nichol was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in April. Saxophonist Jonathan Nichol is the Interim Director and Professor of Saxophone at the University of Oklahoma. He has been at OU since Fall 2013; prior to that he held various university appointments. Students in Dr. Nichol's studio won 71 solo and chamber competition recognitions between 2015 and 2021. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University. Dr. Nichol is also the creator and director of the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop, a nationally recognized summer camp for saxophonists, and oversaw it successful virtual iteration in 2020 during the pandemic. Dr. Nichol is a member of the acclaimed h2 quartet, recipients of the prestigious Gold Medal at the 2007 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the First Prize Award at the inaugural North American Saxophone Alliance Chamber Music Competition. As an active jazz musician, Jonathan Nichol has performed with Phil Woods, Randy Brecker, David Liebman, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Lansing Symphony Jazz Band, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, and e Four Tops. He leads his own jazz group, the Nichol Quartet, and is a member of Boyd Street Brass. Dr. Nichol is also a highly sought-aer orchestral saxophonist and has performed solos with Distinguished Members Grazier, Jr. Grazier, Jr. Guevara Guevara LeBlanc LeBlanc Nichol Nichol

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