Eastman Graduate Students Association

Back-to-School Hang
Highland Park Olmsted Lodge
171 Reservoir Ave
Thursday, September 5
5:30pm to 8:30pm

Come enjoy a chance to socialize with other graduate students in Rochester‘s beautiful Highland Park. Partners and families are welcome. This event will be catered by Firehouse Subs. Stay tuned for information on transportation!

Last night, our first Graduate Student social night!
Get your pictures here! (1)

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Our first Graduate Student Social Night!
Pick up your photos here! （2）

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Tomorrow! Our first social night this Fall semester is fast approaching! Save the information so you won’t miss it! See you there!🥰

Hi! My name is Kelsy Morrison (she/her) and I am an incoming PhD student in Musicology. Originally from Washington State, I grew up in Germany and the Pacific Northwest, but have been living in NE Ohio for the last 11 years. I recently completed a double BA (Music & German, with minors in Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies and Classics) followed by an MA in German Translation, all at Kent State University. When I’m not studying, I enjoy knitting, sewing, quilting, reading, hiking, playing my trombone, and spending time with my husband and five children. I am so excited to join the amazing community at Eastman and further my studies here!

My name is Liz Jorgenson (they/she), and I am excited to pursue an M.A. in Musicology at Eastman! I am from Cleveland, Ohio, and I graduated from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in 2023 with my B.M. in Music History and Literature. In my spare time, I enjoy baking sourdough bread, fiber arts (knitting AND spinning!), writing, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. I cannot wait to join the Eastman community!

Allison Young is a saxophonist currently based in Denver, CO. She regularly performs with groups such as the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra and the Drew Zaremba Jazz Fellowship Orchestra, and has also toured internationally with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Allison has performed alongside musicians such as Dick Oatts, Jeff Hamilton, Wayne Bergeron, Randy Brecker, Tia Fuller, Father John Misty, KNOWER, and Ms. Lauryn Hill + the Fugees. Allison has recorded with the Zaremba Fellowship Orchestra, Ted Davies Big Band, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, all with records out now. As a bandleader, she regularly leads the Allison Young Quartet at venues like Nocturne Jazz Club, and recently recorded a live set on KUVO, Denver’s premiere jazz radio station. Allison completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado in 2022 and is thrilled to be continuing her musical studies at Eastman this fall!

Hi! My name is Camilo Baracaldo, I am a classical/jazz pianist from Bogotá, Colombia. My musical journey has had various shifts, from classical piano being my first focus since I was five to producing electronic music during my teenage years, and finally into jazz and improvisation in my early 20s meanwhile I was completing a bachelor’s in classical piano. I am really excited to join such an amazing school as Eastman, can‘t wait to join this vibrant community full of music! See you soon Rochester!

Christopher Tavernier (he/him) is an incoming Masters in Piano Performance and Literature student joining Dr. Humpherys studio! He’s originally from Western North Carolina, but graduated with his BM in Piano Performance from Florida State University. In his spare time he enjoys being outdoors and playing chess. He‘s excited to meet everyone and to be a part of the Eastman community starting in the Fall!

Hey everyone my name is Jason Garcia-Kakuk, I’m an operatic tenor from Queenstown, MD and I graduated from Temple University in 2022 with my B.M. in Voice Performance. I’m looking forward to being a part of the Voice Performance & Literature program, as well as the rest of the Eastman community!

Layne Sullivan is entering his Masters in Trumpet Performance and Literature. A native of the Hudson Valley, he recently graduated with a Bachelor‘s in Music Education and Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. He is very excited for many fruitful collaborations within the Eastman community!
sully

Sarah Jerrom is a Canadian vocalist, pianist, composer and arranger specializing in jazz and creative music, taking inspiration from lyric-driven melodies, genre-defying instrumentation and experimental soundscapes. This fall, Sarah will be following her longtime dream of pursuing her masters in jazz writing at the Eastman School of Music, in the studio of Prof. Christine Jensen. Sarah has released 4 critically-acclaimed albums to date: “Magpie” (2024, TPR Records), featuring her 86-minute suite for expanded jazz orchestra and 4 voices, Dream Logic (2021, TPR Records), showcasing a collection of original songs, The Yeats Project (2017), featuring W.B. Yeats‘ poetry orchestrated for a nine-piece chamber jazz ensemble, and her debut album, Illuminations (2007). A 2005 graduate of the University of Toronto’s jazz performance program (voice), she has since studied composition privately with renowned Canadian composers Andrew Downing, Rick Wilkins (O.C.), Christopher Smith and Christine Jensen. She can’t wait to meet all of you and be inspired by all her incredible fellow student artists!
jerrom

My name is Sam Chandler, and I’m an incoming MM student majoring in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media (Writing). I graduated from Berklee in 2023 with my BM in Jazz Composition, and I’m very excited to be joining the Eastman community to continue to hone my craft. Looking forward to working with you all either as a composer or pianist (or both)!

I’m originally from Duluth, Minnesota where I’ve spent the past year gigging, teaching, and writing. In my free time, I really enjoy being outdoors. I’m an avid cross country skier, runner, and mountain biker, and one of the first things I plan to do outside of school is explore the Rochester area’s trails. “

Hi everyone! I’m Andrew Chen, and I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area in California. I graduated from UC Berkeley back in 2019 with B.A.’s in Music and Statistics, and I had worked at a financial planning firm for about two years before deciding that music was really what I wanted to do with my life. I’ll be coming to Eastman to pursue a M.M. in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, and I’m really excited to be working with you all during my time there!

Jacob Hunkins is an entering Masters of Music in Trumpet Performance and Literature. He is originally from Southern California, but graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania as a Music and History double major with a German minor. Jacob is excited to attend Eastman in the Fall and take advantage of everything the school has to offer and to work with (and frankly, get humbled) by a world-class trumpet studio.

Caroline is a mezzo-soprano and an incoming M.M. vocal performance student joining prof. Ciesinski’s studio!! She is from Orlando, FL and she graduated from University of Central Florida with her B.M. this spring. She is so excited to study at such an elite institution and have so many opportunities to grow as a performer! Her favorite opera is Carmen and she also loves singing and discovering rare/unique art song. She can’t wait to meet all of you and start making music together!

Derek Hamersly (he/him) is an incoming MM Piano Accompanying student. He is from Santa Cruz, CA, and is very much looking forward to a backpacking trip in the Sierras in a few weeks. He has been working as a freelance accompanist in Madison, WI since Fall 2022, and is super excited to be joining the Eastman community this Fall!

My name is Daniel Salazar. I’m originally from the San Gabriel Valley in California. I received my B.M from Cal State University, Fullerton, recently completed my M.M at the University of Louisville, and I will be coming to Eastman in fall to start my DMA in Classical Guitar Performance and Literature. I will be working with Dr. Nicholas Goluses, but I‘m hoping to make connections with other faculty, students and members of the community at large.

My name is Thomas Lynch IV. I am a tenor vocalist from Arlington, VA. As an MM student entering Prof. Swensen’s studio this fall,

I am so excited for the opportunity to study with elite faculty, compete in competitions, sing opera and grow as a musician & person at Eastman! I am so excited to join you, my fellow Eastman peers, in thorough pursuit of musical excellence. Please reach out and introduce yourself. I am eager to meet each and every one of you. My IG is … See y’all soon!

Nathaniel (he/him) is an incoming M.M. Choral Conducting student. He graduated this Spring from SUNY Fredonia with his B.M. Music Education. Nathaniel is a native of Webster, NY and grew up around Eastman. It has been a lifelong dream of his to study at Eastman and he is incredibly excited to meet and make music with you all!
peets

We‘re doing this Instagram feature project to introduce the incoming graduate students of
2024. Let’s welcome them and show our support by liking and commenting on the posts!

If you are an incoming graduate student, submit your picture and short bio via email: [email protected]

We‘re thrilled to see all the amazing submissions from you! Thank you for sharing your stories and allowing us to introduce you to the Eastman community.