Student Experience

Student Experience

At TCU, you’ll perform in numerous concerts and master classes of world-renowned artists and guest orchestras, and access a wide variety of top-quality ensembles from bands to orchestras and choirs.

Orchestra and Strings

The TCU School of Music offers a world-class education from a faculty that includes nationally and internationally recognized musicians in violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, and guitar.

Piano

With TCU’s long-standing reputation as a strong piano school, the School of Music offers a wide-ranging program to students of varying abilities.

University Bands

The TCU Bands have a long and distinguished tradition of excellence and accomplishment spanning over a century. Membership in the bands carries with it a significant responsibility to uphold and continue that tradition. It involves dedication, achievement, and hard work.

Voice and Choral

The TCU School of Music prepares students for success whether they choose to use their vocal talents on stage, in the classroom or elsewhere in life.

Expand your horizons by studying abroad in more than 50 countries, plus service-learning trips overseas and internships around the globe. In addition to TCU’s semester, summer, and short-term programs, music majors can study abroad in a faculty-led summer program. Students have explored music in Florence and Venice with Dr. Blaise Ferrandino and Sheri Neill, earning credit in MUSI 10043 — Music in Northern Italy.

Study abroad is an eye-opening and life-changing experience. While abroad, you’ll cultivate your cross-cultural communication, creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and become more adaptable, self-reliant and internationally aware. Our students return to TCU with new skillsets and perspectives — and better equipped to succeed in the global economy.

Learn more about TCU options.

You don’t have to be a music major to join the School of Music! Learn about our ensembles, courses, and events.

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TCU Music Ambassadors represent the School of Music at various recruitment and special events virtually or on campus, meet with prospective students and their families, provide tours of the music buildings, assist with Mondays at TCU and audition days, serve on panels, and represent the best and brightest within the School of Music. They also identify outreach opportunities to area schools to share information about the important role music plays in our society and what it’s like to major in music in college. Read more below about our current student ambassadors!

 

Apply to become a TCU Music Ambassador

Adrian Martinez

Adrian Martinez is a sophomore Vocal Music Education major from Brownsville, Texas. He studies voice under Dr. James Rodriguez and is a member of TCU Opera, University Singers, Concert Chorale, and he is also apart of the Music Educators Organization. Outside of the school of music, Adrian enjoys spending time with his friends and family, going to the gym, playing basketball, and playing video games. Adrian is excited to be a TCU Music Ambassador this school year!

Ahmad Elijah

My name is Ahmad Elijah, and I’m a sophomore percussionist majoring in music education. As part of the percussion studio, I have the privilege of performing with the steel band, Percussion Ensemble II, the Horned Frog Marching Band, and the Wind Symphony. Additionally, I’m a proud member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. As a first-time music ambassador, I’m excited to share my passion for the TCU School of Music!

Apurva Mamidenna

Apurva Mamidenna is a junior majoring in Music Education from Frisco, TX. She plays both the tenor trombone and violin and is involved with the TCU Symphonic Band and Mariachi Sangre Royal de TCU. In addition to her role as a TCU Music Ambassador, she serves as President of the TCU Music Educators Organization and is an active member of Kappa Lambda Delta Sorority Inc. Apurva also interns with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra’s Young Performers Orchestra. This marks her third year as a TCU Music Ambassador, and she looks forward to connecting with prospective School of Music students. Go Frogs!

Bella Evans

Bella Evans is a senior from Richardson, TX pursuing a music education degree at TCU. She currently performs on oboe and English horn in the TCU Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Music. She also enjoys marching cymbals in the Horned Frog Band and singing Soprano II in Women’s Choir. She looks forward to meeting and sharing the joy of TCU music with prospective students. Go Frogs!

Benjamin Lindley

Benjamin (Benne) Lindley (he/him), from Brock Texas, is currently a sophomore Instrumental Music Education major, composer, brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, and member of the Tuba Euphonium Studio. Graduating as the valedictorian of Brock High School’s class of 2023, Benne currently studies the tuba under Dr. Clay Garrett, plays in TCU’s Symphonic Band, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and marches in the Horned Frog Marching Band, as well as being the Coordinating Officer for the TCU Society of Composers (SCI). Benne is really excited to take on this role as a music ambassador and cannot wait to share his wonderful experiences through the TCU School of Music!

Casey Caldwell

Casey Caldwell is a first-year TCU Vocal Music Education Major. She is a member of University Singers, Cantiamo, the Opera Program, LeadNOW, and other student lead organizations on campus. Originally from Austin Texas, Casey is incredibly excited to spend her next four years at TCU!

Cassie Westlund

Cassie Westlund is a third-year student in the School of Music studying vocal performance under the direction of Professor Twyla Robinson. She is a member of TCU’s Concert Chorale, German club, and serves as the historian and fundraising chair for Mu Phi Epsilon. Cassie is particularly passionate about TCU Opera and is overjoyed to be featured in several productions this year. Not only does Cassie love being on stage, but she is also pursuing a minor in political science for her love of history. Other than being a student, Cassie also works as a law clerk, princess party impersonator, and singer at St. John’s church. She is so proud to be representing TCU as a Music Ambassador for her second year this year!

Catherine DiGrazia

Biography Coming Soon!

Danna Melendez

Danna Melendez (She/Her) is a first year Music Education major with an emphasis on Vocal Music Education from Brownsville, Texas. She sings with the TCU University Singers, Cantiamo, and is also a member of the opera program and the TCU Music Educators Organization. She is very excited to spend the next four years of college here at TCU. Go frogs!

Dory McDonald

Dory McDonald is a junior BA vocal music major and Spanish minor from Lexington, Kentucky. She is pursuing a career path in Speech-Language Pathology and is a member of TCU’s Concert Chorale and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. In addition to being a TCU Music Ambassador, she is a soprano section leader at University Christian Church, a member of TCU’s co-ed music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, and a volunteer with TCU Frogathon and Frogs4Children. Dory is excited to welcome new Horned Frogs to our campus!

Eduardo Guerrero

I’m a senior Vocal Music Education major at TCU and a baritone in Concert Chorale, University Singers, and Frog Corps. I also serve as president of Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity, and have been a counselor for TCU’s All-State Choir Camp. I’m passionate about DEI&B initiatives, which has inspired my current undergrad research on Latin American art song. Outside of TCU, I’m the bass section leader at City Point United Methodist Church. I’m really looking forward to connecting with future Horned Frogs as a Music Ambassador. Go Frogs!

Ethan Hildebrand

My name is Ethan and I’m a horn player and music education major from Euless, Texas. Aside from music, I love to read, build connections with people, and hike when I can. My favorite thing about TCU is the community of musicians I have met here.

Grady O’Gara

Grady O’Gara, originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, is a junior double major in cello performance and criminal justice at TCU, studying with Dr. Juliette Herlin. An alum of the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra, he received the honor of performing in Davies Symphony Hall as part of the Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival, as well as in the Rudolfinium Dvořák Hall and Weiner Musikverein during the orchestra’s tour of Leipzig, Prague, and Vienna in 2022. This past summer, he was a student at Brevard Music Center, and has attended the Texas Chamber Music Institute for the last two summers. He currently performs with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra as well as the TCU Symphony Orchestra and Cello Ensemble, and frequently participates in chamber music and masterclasses. Grady is excited to welcome new faces to TCU as a Music Ambassador!

Heath Bain

Biography coming soon!

Jordana Garcia

Jordana Garcia is a junior BA Vocal Major from Grand Prairie, Texas. She is a member of TCU’s Women’s Choir and University Singers. She currently serves as Vice President of our Mu Phi Epsilon Chapter, where she guides potential new members through the rush and candidacy process. She also serves as the Vice President of our Independent Greek Council on campus. She is also pursuing a BA in Sociology. Other hobbies include playing guitar, crocheting, and reading. She is overjoyed to be a TCU Music Ambassador and meet prospective students this year!

Joshua Santana

Biography coming soon!

Kai Diamond

Kai Diamond (he/him) is a sophomore vocal music education major from Roanoke, Texas. He is studying voice under Dr. James Rodriguez and currently sings with the TCU Concert Chorale and University Singers ensembles. He is also a proud member of TCU’s Opera Studio, Music Educators Organization, and All-State Choir Camp staff. Outside of TCU, he enjoys sand volleyball, spending time with friends, and visiting Ampersand coffee! He’s excited to meet prospective incoming students and encourages them to reach out with any questions regarding the college audition process. GO FROGS!

Kaylyn Davis

Kaylyn Davis, soprano, is a Sophomore Music Education major studying under the mentorship of Professor Twyla Robinson. She is currently a member of Concert Chorale, University Singers, and Opera Studio at TCU. Kaylyn is also an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon and is the Community Outreach Chair for Independent Greek Council. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, and spending time with the people she loves!

Kaylynn Langham

Kaylynn Langham, Soprano, is a Sophomore Music Education major studying with Professor Twyla Robinson. Kaylynn sings with Concert Chorale, University Singers, and TCU Opera Studio. She also worked as a TCU All-State Choir Camp counselor this past Summer. When she isn’t singing, Kaylynn enjoys watching Gilmore Girls, kayaking, and cooking new recipes. She is thrilled to be a music ambassador this year and to meet the future of TCU!

Maddie Purvis

Maddie Purvis is a junior music education major at Texas Christian University, with an emphasis on flute. She is from Granbury, Texas, and loves to play piano in the TCU Symphonic Band, sing as a choral scholar, compose music, and perform on the cymbal line in the TCU Horned Frog Band. Maddie is an active member of Tau Beta Sigma and the chair of its Ways and Means committee, serves as the President of the TCU Flute Society, and is also involved with TCU Society of Composers Inc., and the TCU Music Educators Organization. She is excited to guide prospective students in their journey to become Horned Frogs and to make an impact in the TCU community.

Mayson Clarke

My name is Mayson! I am a first-year vocal performance major and entrepreneurship minor. I am involved with University Singers, Vocal Jazz, and Opera this semester. I am from Hurst, TX and I can’t wait to show others howamazingTCU is!

Michelle Gladys Pearce

Michelle Pearce is a First-Year Vocal Performance Major studying under the mentorship of Dr. Gwendolyn Alfred. She currently serves as a member of the TCU Concert Chorale and Cantiamo, and previously served as a member of the Singing Girls of Texas (SGT) Tour Choir. Additionally, Pearce has performed respectively in the TMEA, ACDA, and SWACDA Honor Choirs. She will be making her debut in the TCU Opera program as Ruth in “The Pirates of Penzance” and ensemble for “Sweeney Todd” and “Le Nozze Di Figaro”. She is elated to serve as an Ambassador and eager to share her love for the TCU School of Music with prospective students!

Sarah Squires

Sarah Squires is a sophomore vocal performance major at TCU. She currently studies voice with Dr. Rodriguez and performs with TCU Concert Chorale, TCU Opera, and TCU’s vocal jazz ensemble: Purple, White, and Blues. She is also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon and the Music Educators Organization. She is delighted to be a Music Ambassador at TCU this year and cannot wait to meet and welcome the future of TCU’s School of Music!

Sofia Dahm

Sofia Dahm is a junior music education major with an emphasis on voice at TCU. She is currently an alto for Concert Chorale, University Singers, and a mezzo-soprano for TCU Opera. Along with being a music ambassador, she is the Choir Representative for the Music Educators Organization as well as the recording secretary for Mu Phi Epsilon at TCU. Outside of TCU, you can see Sofia at St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s adult choir in Fort Worth, TX as the alto section leader as well as a cantor for St. Patrick’s and St. Michael Catholic Church in Bedford, TX. Sofia is very excited to be a music ambassador and cannot wait to show prospective students the beauty of the School of Music at TCU!

Sophia Yang

Sophia Yang is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in Voice at Texas Christian University. She actively contributes to campus life as the Stage Manager for TCU Opera and Alto Section Leader for the University Singers. In addition, she leads as the President of the Korean Language and Culture Association and is a dedicated member of Mu Phi Epsilon and the TCU Music Educators Organization. As a newly selected School of Music Ambassador, Sophia looks forward to welcoming and inspiring the next generation of Horned Frogs!

Telvin Culberson

Hello my name is Telvin Culberson. I am a first-year Vocal Performance Major here at Texas Christian University. I am in University Singers, Frog Corps, and Opera, and I study under Dr. Rodriguez! I am so excited to get to know our future music students!

Will Moeller

Will Moeller (he/him) is a sophomore Vocal Music Education major from San Antonio, Texas. He studies voice under Dr. James Rodriguez and is a member of University Singers and the TCU Concert Chorale. Along with being a music ambassador, Will is also a member of the Music Educators Organization at TCU. Outside of the school of music, he enjoys spending time with friends, playing piano, trying new things, and working at the recreation center on campus! Will is so proud to be representing TCU as a Music Ambassador for the first time this year!

Zoie Pilate

Zoie Pilate is a sophomore music education student from Fort Worth, TX studying tuba at TCU. She plays tuba in the TCU Wind Symphony, Horned Frog Marching Band, and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. She also participates in Cantiamo and Jazz Ensemble 2. Zoie is also the current secretary of Music Educators Organization and the Tuba-Euphonium Society. She is excited to connect with prospective students and share the wonders of the TCU School of Music.