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Alumna Christina Lynn-Craig, a board member of the college’s American Music Research Center, is making a generous donation to ensure the continuation of the George Lynn Memorial Award and the Alex Craig and Christina Lynn-Craig Living Music Award. The two awards are given to College of Music students on a rotating basis. This spring, the George Lynn Memorial Award was granted to Glenda Luck and Grace Stringfellow.

Joanie and David Andrews established the Mary Catherine Ramsour Memorial Endowed Voice Scholarship Fund to continue the legacy of Joanie Andrews’ sister: Mary Ramsour earned degrees in voice performance and vocal pedagogy from CU Boulder and went on to found an opera company, lead a church music program and make creative expression a central pillar in her life. The scholarship in her name is designed to encourage non-traditional voice students to pursue their dreams, as she did.

We’re thrilled to announce that Wei Wu (MM ’13) has been named the College of Music’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus in recognition of his international opera career and commitment to new works. Reflecting on his journey, Wu—a Grammy Award-winning artist—encourages future artists to stay open, embrace collaboration and remain resilient, emphasizing that passion and preparation are key to long-term success.

Costume Coordinator/Designer + Shop Manager Ann Piano explains the process behind creating costumes for College of Music operas and musicals. She also explains her vision for the college’s production of “The Cunning Little Vixen,” April 16-19.

A newly funded interdisciplinary collaboration will examine why it’s difficult to adapt to singing here in Colorado, and provide best practices for singers who tour through or move to our state “to keep their voices healthy and adapt to singing at altitude with efficiency,” says Nicholas Perna, associate professor of voice + director of vocal pedagogy.

Associate Professor of Voice + Director of Vocal Pedagogy Nicholas Perna is committed to making the Berton Coffin Voice Lab one of the premier centers for research and innovation in the country, emphasizing the science and craft of vocal pedagogy.

Congratulations to the winners—and all participants—of the College of Music’s annual graduate student competition, named in honor of former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bruce Ekstrand.

The American Music Research Center awarded the 2025 Alex Craig and Christina Lynn-Craig Living Music Award to Katiann Nelson and Kristina Butler, both recent voice performance grads.

Every summer, the CU New Opera Workshop (CU NOW) hosts an extended workshop where graduate voice students and alumni have direct interaction with living composers and librettists to develop and perform their music over a few weeks. This year, CU NOW again welcomes composer and librettist Mark Adamo and his new work “Sarah in the Theatre” about the legendary American opera conductor, impresario and stage director, Sarah Caldwell.

"At the College of Music’s recent Eklund Opera gala, Chancellor Justin Schwartz described the magic of music as a hallmark of human connection; of a civilized society; and as its own kind of renewable energy. As I reflect on the first months of 2025, I’m struck by the countless ways in which our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters embody these values. In these disorienting times, I’m heartened that our mission is more relevant than ever—as is my commitment to continue to celebrate and support our students and colleagues in their transformative work and artistic aspirations."