Kicking off the performance is the Piano Ensemble Concert, directed by Naoki Hakutani. The concert promises an evening of refined piano performance, highlighting the artistry and dedication of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 piano students. The event begins April 20 at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the event page or contact Naoki Hakutani at nxhakutani@ualr.edu.

Just three nights later, on April 23, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Jazz Ensemble takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. for a 90-minute concert under the direction of Michael Underwood. Jazz enthusiasts can look forward to an energetic evening of live jazz performance from one of the university鈥檚 most dynamic student ensembles. For more information, visit the event page or contact Michael Underwood at mpunderwood@ualr.edu.

Rounding out the lineup is the Spring Percussion Concert, directed by Justin Bunting. The concert takes place on April 25 at 4:00 p.m. This year鈥檚 concert is set to be a standout event featuring two exciting guest artist appearances: Lamon Lawhorn, a percussionist from Virginia State University, and the Blue Line Duo, the dynamic husband-and-wife percussion duo of Justin and Cassie Bunting. The addition of these guest artists promises to make this an especially memorable concert. For more information, visit the event page or contact Justin Bunting at jbunting@ualr.edu.

All three concerts will be held in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 premier performance venue. The 320-seat hall has a rich history tied to Little Rock philanthropist and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra founder Stella Boyle Smith and has recently undergone enhancements, including upgraded audio and visual systems, making it an ideal setting for these performances.

All concerts are free and open to the public. Come out and support the talented musicians of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock this April.

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Led by Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, and Dr. Nickolas Doshier, director of music education, the symposium brought together music educators, church musicians, and aspiring conductors for intensive training in conducting technique, rehearsal strategies, score analysis, and more.

鈥淐onductors often work in isolation, leading their own ensembles without many opportunities for feedback or collaboration,鈥� Mason said. 鈥淭his symposium is about building community. Conductors can connect, share ideas, and grow together. That collaborative spirit is not only my favorite part of the event, but also one of the most powerful tools for professional growth.鈥�

Participants included full conductors, auditors, and volunteer ensemble singers, many of whom were current 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students. Full conductors led rehearsals each day, receiving structured feedback and video recordings of their podium time to support self-assessment and development.

鈥淭his year we had five full participants, each conducting six times for a total of 90 minutes of podium time,鈥� said Dr. Doshier. 鈥淭hat kind of concentrated, intentional practice is rare once you鈥檙e in the field. These conductors stepped outside their comfort zones and made bold artistic choices. It was inspiring to watch their confidence grow.鈥�

One returning participant, Shannon Webb, associate director of music and worship arts at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, praised the supportive environment and personalized instruction.

鈥淚 earned my master鈥檚 degree nearly a decade ago, and it’s easy to stagnate in this field if you’re not careful,鈥� Webb said. 鈥淭his symposium gives me the chance to brush up on skills, receive meaningful feedback, and return to my choir with a bigger toolbox.鈥�

Webb, who transitioned from a professional performer to leading church music during the pandemic, said the symposium helped her refine her conducting style.

鈥淏ecause of my performing background, I can be very animated on the podium,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been working on 鈥榪uieting the noise鈥欌�攎aking my gestures more intentional and clearer. The feedback has been incredibly valuable, and I feel more equipped to lead my ensemble.鈥�

Jeremy Wayne, choir director at Sheridan High School, also found the experience enlightening. After a career shift from nonprofit leadership to music education, Wayne attended the symposium to sharpen his conducting technique.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned how to connect more directly with the singers and to get out of the way as a conductor. I try to let the music breathe instead of trying to control every beat,鈥� he said. 鈥淲atching the other conductors grow and getting feedback in real time helped me push my own boundaries.鈥�

Doshier emphasized how vital professional development like the Choral Conducting Symposium is for the region.

鈥淢any conductors receive their only formal training in college,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut once they鈥檙e in classrooms or churches leading rehearsals every day, their ability to communicate expressively through gestures becomes their primary teaching tool. Opportunities like this help them grow in that role, which benefits not just their ensembles but the entire musical community.鈥�

Symposium participants also received up to 18 professional development hours at no extra cost. This is an added benefit for Arkansas music educators seeking high-quality, music-centered training.

鈥淪ymposiums like this are rare in Central Arkansas,鈥� Webb said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just something we want as professionals; it鈥檚 something we need.鈥�

With overwhelmingly positive feedback from both years of the symposium, Mason and Doshier plan to continue growing the program to serve even more conductors in the future.

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The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is Dr. Lorissa Mason. Mason is an assistant professor and the Director of Choral Activities for the Music Program, which is housed in the School of Literary and Performing Arts. Both her background, experience in the music community, and her collaborative nature have brought a number of innovations to the school.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

My name is Lorissa Mason. I am married to Brady Mason, who is a nurse, and we have one son, Silas, age 12. I grew up in a small town near Lubbock, Texas. Upon graduating high school, I attended Texas Tech University. I had wonderful instructors and mentors as a student in Texas Tech鈥檚 School of Music. I graduated with my undergraduate degree and immediately began my Master of Music in Conducting with Dr. John Dickson and Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman. Those two years opened a world of possibilities for me.

After completing my master鈥檚 degree, I taught choir in the public schools in west Texas for thirteen years. It was during that time that I met my husband and had my son. In 2016, we moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where I studied with Dr. Robert Bode and completed my doctoral work at the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

What is your current position and professional duties at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

I am the Director of Choral Activities at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. I direct the choral ensembles, and I teach Conducting and Music Education courses. As part of my administrative duties, I program the performance season for the choirs, and I oversee the day-to-day activities within the voice area of our music program.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

Upon graduating from the Conservatory, this position was one of several I interviewed for. Not only was I looking for a place where I could grow, but also a place where my entire family could thrive. This position offered the opportunity to teach all the material I have always wanted to teach, and the city itself offered opportunities for my entire family.

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

The biggest project on the horizon is a Conducting Residency in Austria in June of 2026. I have been invited as a headlining conductor with a festival choir and the Symphonisches Orchester Wien, performing Marianna Martines鈥檚 “Dixit Dominus.” Students from all over the country, including students from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, will have the opportunity to participate in this event, and we will sing concerts in Vienna and Salzburg.

Another big event happening in March is the national conference for the American Choral Directors Association in Dallas. We are planning for 18 students to travel to this conference, where they will represent 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as they participate in sessions and round tables in the field of choral music education.

There have also been a number of events in the past few years that are worth noting. The Concert Choir traveled to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall in the summer of 2022. Since then, various students have traveled to sing in London at Cadogan Hall in 2023 and again to New York鈥檚 Carnegie Hall in 2024.

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

It is difficult to narrow it to only one. I would have to begin with my mother. She taught me to be strong and independent and smart. It never occurred to her to tell me I might not achieve something I had my sights set on. She quietly provided opportunities to set me up for success in everything I ever did. My mom also taught me how to deal with people. She is quite introverted herself, but she is an observer of people and through those observations, she was able to teach me about human nature and how to read people.

When it comes to mentors in my profession, there are two very important women who had astounding impact on my path. Those women are Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman and Robin Dent. I did my student teaching internship with Robin Dent at Mackenzie Middle School in Lubbock, Texas. I learned an unimaginable amount about what it is to teach from her鈥攆rom watching her and from her own unwavering belief in me. I always felt her faith in me, and I have always known I could reach out to her. It came full circle when I took this job at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Robin is originally from Little Rock, and she had wonderful insight for us as we began planning our move. She even helped us find a realtor when we were searching for a house!

Dr. Pamela Elrod-Huffman was at Texas Tech when I studied there, and even after she took a position elsewhere, I stayed in touch with her and frequently asked her questions about conducting workshops and good graduate school programs. She was always patient with my questions and my search for the 鈥渞ight place for me.鈥� Her advice was always exactly what I needed as I found my way in this field. It was no coincidence that when I finally decided to take the plunge and audition for DMA programs, both of these mentors recommended I study with Dr. Robert Bode at the UMKC Conservatory. It is a magical thing when all the pieces come together in life, and the impact all these wonderful people have had on my life and career is certainly an example of such magic.

What鈥檚 one leadership lesson you鈥檝e learned in your career?

I have learned so many lessons… For me, the most important lesson I鈥檝e learned (and one I still sometimes must remind myself about) is that I cannot expect every person I encounter to work at the same pace or with the same processes that I do. To let people work in their own way is the true heart of collaboration, particularly in the arts. So, I have learned to give people enough time to process and even enjoy that process. Part of that lesson is also that people won鈥檛 always be happy with me, but it is important to nevertheless push for excellence. And in that push, we are back to the lesson of giving people time. Time to process, time to create, time to come around to the idea of possibilities, and time to learn their own lessons along the way.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Be yourself, but make sure 鈥測ourself鈥� is a person who operates with kindness always. Kindness does not make you weak. You can be kind and stand your ground. You can be kind and be direct.

Seek joy. It is all around us. Seek joy in the people you work with, in the work you have chosen as your career, in your family and friend circles, in solitude, in noise and in quiet.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

Oh goodness… which of my quirky things do I want to share here? Once upon a time, I was a computer programmer. I did not begin as a music major, but a Management Information Systems major in the College of Business. But I eventually realized I couldn鈥檛 鈥渘ot do鈥� music, and I made the change to study Music Education.

What is your favorite quote and why?

鈥淒on’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.鈥� 鈥� Ludwig van Beethoven

The sentiment of Beethoven鈥檚 quote is the very reason I ended up becoming a conductor. The treasures in a score of music are endless, and when I began down this path, I found myself almost obsessively digging into the music I studied to find those treasures. That feeling is still as fresh today as it was years ago when I was first learning how to study a score. When I find those treasures, I鈥檓 almost giddy to share them with other musicians who also find it as fascinating as I do. Music is transcending, and Beethoven鈥檚 quote captures that perfectly.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add?

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is a wonderful community in which to work, and I am happy my family and I landed here.

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To see the full list of events this semester, visit the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock calendar online.

Department of Applied Communication

Applied Communication Leadership Lecture: V.P. Parker: As part of the Department of Applied Communication鈥檚 annual leadership lecture series, the final leadership lecture of the academic year will be hosted online at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. V.P. Parker, a business owner, entrepreneur, and a graduate of the applied communication program, will give a lecture titled 鈥淲hat Is Inclusive Leadership?鈥�

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Those interested can sign up on the department鈥檚 website.

Department of History

Evenings with History: Dr. Katrina Yeaw, 鈥淔inding Girls in the Archives: The Case of Fekiriyeh and Renghi Sefa”: Dr. Katrina Yeaw will kick off this semester鈥檚 Evenings with History lecture series at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Her talk, 鈥淔inding Girls in the Archives: The Case of Fekiriyeh and Renghi Sefa,鈥� will be presented at the Historic Arkansas Museum and will analyze how this specific case represents a broader treatment of non-elite girls and women in the Middle East.

Hosted by the Department of History, the Evenings with History series has three lectures remaining for the 2024-25 academic year. For more information on the upcoming events, visit the Department of History鈥檚 Evenings with History website.

All three of the Evenings with History lectures scheduled for this semester are free and open to the public.

School of Literary and Performing Arts

Sympatico Percussion Group: The first concert presented by the School of Literary and Performing Arts for 2025 features a performance by the Sympatico Percussion Group. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus.

February Percussion Concert: An additional percussion performance will feature the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Percussion Ensemble led by Dr. Justin Bunting. The February Percussion Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus.

February Jazz Ensemble Concert: Closing out the events in February is the February Jazz Ensemble Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall. Led by Dr. Michael Underwood, the February Jazz Ensemble Concert is the first of two jazz ensemble concerts scheduled for this semester.

The School of Literary and Performing Arts events are free and open to the public. For additional information regarding the concerts, contact the school鈥檚 coordinating assistant Caelon Colbert at cdcolbert@ualr.edu or 501-916-3291.

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Through student-led productions, community partnerships, literary publishing experiences, collaborative performances, and more, the school provides hands-on opportunities to work with renowned artists and alumni across genres and mediums.

Student-Led Productions
This academic year marks the second residency with Tectonic Theatre Company at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, a collaboration that began in October 2023 and focuses on the creative processes required in a production from start to finish.

Most known for their original groundbreaking production of 鈥淭he Laramie Project,鈥� Tectonic Theatre Company teaches students about 鈥淢oment Work鈥� education, where students are 鈥淸exploring] the theatrical potential of all elements of the stage in order to create strong theatrical and dramatic narratives from the ground up,鈥� according to website.

In the spring 2025 semester as part of its residency at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Tectonic Theatre Company will provide mentorship to a student-led directing and design team, which will result in a full, student-created production that will be showcased April 17-20 in Haislip Theatre.

Jimmy Maize, a Tectonic Theatre Company member who was US Associate Director of Broadway鈥檚 鈥淗arry Potter and the Cursed Child,鈥� will guide the students while in residence at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in the spring semester.

include Broadway鈥檚 鈥�33 Variations鈥� featuring Jane Fonda, 鈥淭he Laramie Project: 10 Years Later,鈥� and 鈥淥ne Arm.鈥� He was also named an Old Vic New Voices Fellow and a Princess Grace Nominee.

The residency with Tectonic Theatre Company was made possible, in part, through the Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Endowed Fund.

鈥淭he Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Endowed Fund has had a tremendous impact on our programs and our school,鈥� said Stacy Pendergraft, co-director of the school. 鈥淔or over two decades, this fund has allowed us to provide opportunities for our students to perform and study playwriting both on campus and across the nation in ways that wouldn鈥檛 be possible without this support.鈥�

Community Partnerships
The school is also expanding a growing list of community partners; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 糖心Vlog传媒MS Centers for Simulation Education, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown and the School of Nursing, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Children鈥檚 Theatre, the Central Arkansas Library System, and others give students the opportunity to work and connect with industry professionals while pursuing their degree.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been intentional about crafting these partnerships鈥攚hether it鈥檚 with our alumni or community partners鈥攁nd we鈥檙e looking forward to the new opportunities that will be offered for our students across all three programs within the school,鈥� Pendergraft said.

Examples of alumni partners include Emily Wold, owner of Fablehound LLC, who partnered with the school to host a voiceover workshop on campus.

With Wold鈥檚 commercial experience with international businesses such as Google, Kayak, Disney, Whataburger, and more, she taught students about the industry and gave them hands-on experience with the 鈥淔ablebus,鈥� Wold鈥檚 fully equipped mobile recording studio.

In fall 2024, the school also collaborated with the Sequoyah National Research Center and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown for a play reading in honor of Native American Heritage Month. An open call across the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus allowed students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds to participate in a reading of 鈥淲illiam Tincup鈥檚 Squaw鈥� by Diane Glancy.

Literary Publishing Experiences

Along with residencies and workshops, the school鈥檚 English program also offers the opportunity to work with and write for 鈥�,鈥� a student-run journal of contemporary literature written by undergraduate students from across the nation.

Students in the English program can receive course credit for completing a semester internship that focuses on literary publishing and includes working on the journal.

In November, the school hosted a launch party in celebration of the newest issue.

鈥淲ith over 50 years of 鈥楨quinox,鈥� it鈥檚 exciting to see how the literary magazine has changed throughout time,鈥� said Dr. Kris McAbee, co-director of the school. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity to both showcase emerging writers and give students real-life opportunities to learn more about publishing in the literary sphere.鈥�

Collaborative Concerts and Performances
The school produced a record number of performances in the fall 2024 semester, which showcased new, collaborative concerts that brought together instruments, abilities, and programs.

New concerts for the fall semester included a collaborative concert featuring 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Choirs and the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Percussion Ensemble. The concert, titled 鈥淐elestial Awakening,鈥� featured work by American poets Sara Teasdale, Emily Dickinson, and Walt Whitman.

As part of the school鈥檚 collaborative nature, Assistant Professor of English Dr. Heather Hummel joined the music students in rehearsals to discuss and look deeper into the poetry.

鈥淒r. Bunting and I have been imagining this collaborative concert for a couple of years, and all the pieces seemed to fall into place as we began planning concerts for this semester,鈥� Dr. Lorissa Mason, the director of choral activities, said. 鈥淧roviding opportunities for our students to perform together is a rewarding experience.鈥�

In addition to 鈥淐elestial Awakening,鈥� the school also hosted a concert special called 鈥淛azz in the Alley鈥� in collaboration with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown and the very first piano ensemble concert.

鈥淭hese experiences expose students to innovative approaches in theatre arts, music, and English, and they also, importantly, allow students to build relevant connections in their respective industries,鈥� said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education where the School of Literary and Performing Arts is housed. 鈥淭hese immersive experiences represent a gold standard in student learning.鈥�

To find information on upcoming events and the school鈥檚 offerings, visit the School of Literary and Performing Arts website. For additional questions, contact Caelon Colbert, the school鈥檚 coordinating assistant, at cdcolbert@ualr.edu or 501-916-3291.

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School of Art and Design

鈥淎manda Burnham: Y Tho:鈥� Gallery One鈥檚 newest exhibition opens in the Fine Arts building on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus on Monday, Aug. 26. In celebration of the re-opening of Gallery One, which has been closed for almost a decade, Amanda Burnham created a site-specific installation that can only be seen at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

A reception and artist lecture will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12. The reception will begin at 5 p.m. in the Fine Arts building, and Burnham will give a lecture at 6 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. This event will also formally welcome the School of Art and Design鈥檚 new Gallery Director Brian Young.

All galleries and receptions at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock are free and open to the public.

鈥淒erek Slagle: Science of Conservation:鈥� Dr. Derek Slagle, the director of the School of Public Affairs at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, will showcase his photography exhibition in September. Open from Sept. 5 through Sept. 27, the exhibition鈥攆ocused largely on conservation and sustainability鈥攚ill be in the Focus Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art + Design. A reception will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5.

Artist Lecture by Dongyi Wu, Windgate Artist-in-Residence: The School of Art and Design is excited to welcome Dongyi Wu as this semester鈥檚 Windgate Artist-in-Residence. Wu will give an artist lecture at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5, following Derek Slagle鈥檚 reception in the Windgate Center of Art + Design.

From Nov. 11 through Dec. 6, Wu will have her exhibition 鈥淒ongyi Wu, Artist-in-Residence: Whisper of Nights鈥� on display in the North and Focus Galleries in the Windgate Center of Art + Design.

鈥淎lchemy7: The Enamelist Society Juried Exhibition:鈥� Open since July 22, 鈥淎lchemy7,鈥� the biennial juried exhibition hosted by the Enamelist Society, will close at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6.

The exhibition is on display in the Brad Cushman Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art + Design. Additional information on the exhibition can be found on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock website.

鈥渄raw (verb): new work by Clark Valentine:鈥� Assistant Professor of Drawing Clark Valentine will showcase his drawings in one of his first exhibitions at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The exhibition will be open until Sunday, Sept. 15 in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art + Design. Additional information on Valentine and the exhibition can be found on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock website.

鈥淪chool of Art and Design: Creative Currents:鈥� The School of Art and Design鈥檚 faculty biennial exhibition will open on Friday, Sept. 27 in the Brad Cushman Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art + Design. A reception is scheduled for Oct. 10, and the work will be on display until Nov. 3.

鈥淢ichele Noiset: Analogies and Absurdities:鈥� Assistant Professor of Illustration Michele Noiset will unveil one of her first exhibitions at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock on Monday, Sept. 30. With a background in publishing, advertising, and editorial, Noiset brings her prior experiences into her illustrations. The exhibition will be on display in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery until Oct. 25, and a reception will be held on Oct. 10.

For additional information regarding the above events, contact the administrative analyst for the School of Art and Design Kristi Pruett at kncrow@ualr.edu or 501-916-5101.

School of Literary and Performing Arts

A Musical Bouquet: Sonorities! A Faculty Piano Concert featuring Dr. Linda Holzer: The School of Literary and Performing Arts is excited to welcome violinist Sandra McDonald and cellist Joanna Klett, members of the Arkansas Symphony, for Dr. Linda Holzer鈥檚 piano concert. The concert is at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Fine Arts building. The concert is also free and open to the public.

Blue Line Duo: A Percussion Concert featuring Justin and Cassie Bunting: Faculty member Dr. Justin Bunting will perform alongside musician Cassie Bunting for their percussion showcase, 鈥淏lue Line Duo.鈥� This concert will take place at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Fine Arts building. The event is free and open to the public.

Visiting Writers Series & Six Bridges-Sponsored: An Afternoon with Margot Livesey: In collaboration with the 2024 Six Bridges Book Festival, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock welcomes 鈥淣ew York Times鈥� best-selling author Margot Livesey to campus at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27. The event is free and open to the public, and it will be held in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Fine Arts building. Information on Livesey and her work is available on .

For additional information regarding the above events, contact the School of Literary and Performing Arts鈥檚 coordinating assistant Caelon Colbert at cdcolbert@ualr.edu or 501-916-3291.

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Drs. Nickolas Doshier and Lorissa Mason, faculty members of the school鈥檚 music program, will lead the symposium.

The 3-day event is 鈥渄esigned for music educators, graduate student conductors, church musicians, community choir conductors, and any conductors looking to grow as artists,鈥� according to the event page.

鈥淲e have a wonderful group of participants, as well as volunteer singers who will make up the choir,鈥� Mason said. 鈥淢ore than any particular session, I look forward to the camaraderie and connections that we will build with one another as colleagues.鈥�

There are three sections to choose from when registering based on skill sets and interests: full conductor, auditor, or ensemble participant.

Space permitting, enrollment costs are:

• $250 for full conductor
• $135 for auditor
• $75 for ensemble participant

Each day, those enrolled as full conductors will have the opportunity to conduct at the podium, and those enrolled as auditors will conduct on the final day. The symposium will also include daily roundtable conversations focused on relevant topics such as score study and analysis, commissioning, literature, technique, and more.

Music selections will include:

• 鈥淪icut Cervus鈥� (Palestrina)
• 鈥淎lles Hat Seine Zeit鈥� (Haydn)
• 鈥淪elig sind die Toten鈥� from 鈥淩equiem鈥� (Brahms)
• 鈥淭he Coolin鈥� (Barber)
• 鈥淗ope Lingers On鈥� (Ramsey)
• 鈥淭he Word Was God鈥� (Powell)
• 鈥淢idwinter Songs #1 & #2鈥� (Lauridsen)
• 鈥淢usic of Life 鈥� SSAA鈥� (B.E. Boykin)

鈥淲hen starting last fall, Dr. Mason and I spoke about starting a conducting workshop almost immediately,鈥� Doshier said. 鈥淣ow, we are eagerly awaiting July 1 so that we can meet the participants and hit the ground running! Additionally, we are thrilled to have the support of our 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus community and the Arkansas Department of Education to host a professional development event for conductors in the state and beyond.鈥�

Up to 18 professional development units are available to Arkansas music educators at no extra cost. Registration is still open online for the symposium.

For additional information, email Drs. Nickolas Doshier and Lorissa Mason, or email slpa@ualr.edu.

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Andrew Battie, a junior music major and theatre minor from Little Rock, has been selected as a semifinalist in the National Student Auditions. Selected from more than 1,000 participants in the preliminary auditions, the semifinalists represent students of NATS members from 14 American and Canadian regions as well as the International Region, which is comprised of six chapters spread over four continents.

鈥淚鈥檝e always considered myself to be an ordinary person, and I never expected to get where I am,鈥� Battie said. 鈥淚鈥檓 beyond grateful for this opportunity and the people that have gotten me to this point.鈥�

Battie will audition in person in the Classical 6 category as part of the 58th NATS National Conference. He will perform 鈥淪ure on This Shining Night鈥� by Samuel Barber. Then he will perform one of two additional songs selected by the judges 鈥� either 鈥淢ein Sch枚ner Stern鈥� by Robert Schumann or 鈥淐ome Raggio di Sol鈥� by Antonio Caldara.

The national semifinalists were selected by panels of adjudicators as the approximately 15 top student-singers in each category. The top three singers in each semifinal category will advance to live final auditions. NATS will award a total of more than $84,000 in prizes to the NSA finalists. The competition also gives Battie the chance to perform on a national stage in front of voice teachers, professors, and music industry professionals from across the country.

鈥淭here are a lot of networking opportunities, but I鈥檓 there to perform and to appreciate music,鈥� he said.

Diane Kesling, a voice instructor at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, is helping Battie to prepare for the competition. They meet every week to go over his pieces for the upcoming competition.

鈥淎ndrew has studied with me for two years. Each week we have a voice lesson during the semester and then he has a half hour coaching with Ms. Jones,鈥� Kesling said. 鈥淎ndrew works very hard to make music come alive, which is one of the most important reasons that he has won this prestigious honor of representing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock at the National NATS competition.鈥�

Battie has been singing since sixth grade. He will graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2026 and hopes to become an opera singer for the Metropolitan Opera. He is grateful for the extraordinary difference that music has made in his life.

鈥淚 always used to think that music was just notes and rhythms,鈥� Battie said. 鈥淎fter all the moments of exciting opportunities and happiness that music has brought me, I see music as this beautiful creation that God has put upon humans. If we didn鈥檛 have music in our lives, the world would be completely different.鈥�

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