Last modified: Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music welcomes 2008-09 Jacobs Scholars and Jacobs Fellows
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 1, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Four new Jacobs Scholars and three new Jacobs Fellows began their studies this fall at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Selected from a large pool of incoming students, these students are the recipients of the most prestigious and substantial scholarship awards in the School.
Jacobs School of Music Dean Gwyn Richards stands to the left of the 2008-09 Jacobs Scholars and Fellows.
The new class of seven Jacobs Scholars and Fellows, selected for their excellence and leadership in the world of music, were chosen from a group of 2,905 applicants who auditioned for fall 2008 admission to the school. Of these, 1,014 were admitted to the Jacobs School, with an incoming class totaling 567 students.
In the fall of 2006, 11 students accepted the school's offer to become the first Jacobs Scholars and Fellows. With 12 more in the fall of 2007 and seven this year, the school now boasts 30 Jacobs Scholars and Fellows.
The academic grants are made possible by the Barbara and David H. Jacobs endowment for undergraduate and graduate scholarships and fellowships and Indiana University's Matching the Promise campaign.
Barbara and David Jacobs Scholars 2008-09 (undergraduate)
Daniel Zachary Kolan -- From Columbus, Ohio, Kolan is a freshman pursuing a bachelor of music/bachelor of music education in trombone with Professor of Music Peter Ellefson. Before attending the Jacobs School, he was an active musician in and around Columbus, performing in idioms from jazz to classical and from funk to salsa. He studied previously with Ryan Hamilton, a freelance trombonist, and with famed arranger, composer and trombonist Vaughn Wiester.
Rebecca Leigh Muth -- From Lansdale, Pa., is pursuing a bachelor of science in recording arts. Before studying at the Jacobs School of Music, she spent several years working with local bands in the Lehigh Valley, Pa., as a "roadie" and sound technician. Her work has been recognized by bands and musicians locally, regionally and nationally.
Kevin William Neel -- From Fort Mill, S.C., where he studied with David Lowry, professor emeritus of music in the Department of Music Winthrop University, Neel is working toward a bachelor of music in organ with Janette Fishell. He has performed numerous times in the Charlotte, N.C., region and has participated in several summer music courses, including programs sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music, and camps at Oberlin College and Westminster Choir College. He also previously studied piano with Patsy Surratt.
Alan Michael Ohkubo -- From Louisville, Ky., he is pursuing a bachelor of music in cello with Distinguished Professor Janos Starker. He began his studies with Julia Preston, a cellist in the Louisville Orchestra, and continued with his father, Megumi Ohkubo, a former student of Starker. Graduating from DuPont Manual/Youth Performing Arts High School, he has performed concerti with the Louisville Youth Orchestra and the Youth Performing Arts School Philharmonic Orchestra.
Barbara and David Jacobs Fellows 2008-09 (graduate)
Beloslava Tzvetkov Hristova -- From Ann Arbor, Mich., she is currently pursuing an artist diploma in violin with Professor of Music Jaime Laredo. Born in Bulgaria, Hristova moved to the United Stated to further her violin studies when she was 13. Before coming to the Jacobs School of Music, she attended The Curtis Institute of Music.
Weipeng Liu -- From Guangzhou, China, Liu is working toward a master of music in cello with IU Distinguished Professor Janos Starker. He received a bachelor of music in performance from East Carolina University, where he studied with Emanuel Gruber.
Alexander Tatarinov -- From Moscow, Russia, he is pursuing a master of music in violin with Professor of Music Mauricio Fuks. Prior studies include Central Music School in Moscow, Russia; the University of the Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria; and the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY.
For more information about the Jacobs Scholars Program, contact Townsend Plant, Jacobs director of admissions and financial aid, at 812-855-7998 or tplant@indiana.edu.
