TCU Music Ambassadors
TCU Music Ambassadors are the face of the School of Music, representing us at recruitment and special events both virtually and on campus. They connect with prospective students and families, lead tours of our music facilities, assist with Mondays at TCU and audition days, participate in panels, and showcase the best and brightest of our program.
Beyond campus, they engage with local schools, highlighting the vital role of music in society and sharing insights about studying music in college.
Meet Our Student Ambassadors
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Conroe, TX
My name is Addy Blanks and I am originally from Conroe, TX. I'm a freshman music education major and my primary instrument is clarinet. Other that music, I really enjoy going to the movies and playing with dogs! I'm also super excited to help within the SOM and to connect with new students. I look forward to connecting soon!
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Adrian Martinez is a Junior 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 a part 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.
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Spring, Texas
Ahmad performs with the Steel Band, Percussion Ensemble II, Horned Frog Marching Band and the Wind Symphony. Additionally, he is a member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Melissa, TX
Autumn currently plays flute in the TCU Wind Symphony and TCU Symphony Orchestra, and is on the Horned Frog Marching Band cymbal line. Autumn is eager to collaborate with prospective students on their exciting journey through the TCU application and audition process. She invites students to explore available campus tour opportunities, meet with faculty, speak with current students, and pursue their passion at the TCU School of Music. Go Frogs!
Major: Vocal Music Education
I am a first-year member of the TCU School of Music. I am a member of University Singers and Cantiamo. I am also a member of the Music Educators Association and Zeta Tau Alpha on campus.
Major: Instrumental Music Education
Hometown: Brock, TX
Benjamin (Benne) Lindley (he/him) is currently a Junior Instrumental Music Education major, composer, brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, and member of the Tuba Euphonium Studio. Benne currently studies the tuba under Dr. Clay Garrett and music composition under Dr. Blaise Ferradino, among others, performs in numerous ensembles, and has an active presence in many student organizations across the TCU School of Music.
Majors: Vocal Performance & Accounting
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Catherine Gibson (she/her) is a member of University Singers, Vox Resonare, and TCU Horned Frog Marching Band. Outside of music, she loves to dance, read, craft, and hang out with other people! She is beyond excited to be a music ambassador this year! Go Frogs!
Major: Music Education (voice)
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Danna Melendez (she/her) sings with the TCU Concert Chorale, University Singers, and studies under Twyla Robinson. She is also an active member of the TCU Music Educators Organization. Danna is excited to continue her journey at TCU and looks forward to the years ahead. Go frogs!
Major: Vocal Music
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Dory McDonald is a senior BA vocal music major with minors in Spanish and Speech-Language Pathology, pursuing a career in vocal therapy. She is a member of TCU’s Concert Chorale and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. In addition to being a TCU Music Ambassador, she serves as a soprano section leader at University Christian Church and is a volunteer with Frogs4Children. Dory is excited to welcome new Horned Frogs to our campus!
Major: Tuba Music Education
Hometown: Dallas, TX
At TCU, I perform with the Symphonic Band and Marching Band and am a proud member of the Tuba-Euphonium Society. I’m also involved in TTBE (Theatre TCU Black Excellence), the Word of Truth Ministries Gospel Choir, and Frog Aides, one of TCU’s First-Year Leadership Opportunities (FLOs). My favorite part about being at TCU are the people and the incredible opportunities for campus involvement!
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Maypearl, TX
She plays the Bb clarinet in the Wind Symphony, Horned Frog Marching Band, and Clarinet Choir. In addition to her role as a TCU Music Ambassador, she is an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the School of Music Advisory Committee, and other student organizations, and cannot wait to meet the next generation of Horned Frogs!
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Odessa, Texas
Paget is an ensemble member of University Singers, Vox Resonare and License to Trill; the gender inclusive acapella group on campus. She is also a member of the TCU Music Educators Organization as well as serves as a Community Assistant for her Residence Hall. She can’t wait for the next four years at TCU in the School of Music!
Major: Music Education (strings) & Composition
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Jordan Emmanuel Simmons, mononymously known as “Jojo”, is a sophomore student and
multi-instrumentalist. He currently studies double bass under Professor Paul Unger
and composition under Dr. Martin Blessinger. Jojo's ensemble affiliations include
Symphonic Band (Double Bass), Double Bass Studio (Double Bass), TCU Horned-Frog Marching
Band (Electric bass) and Jazz Ensemble (Electric Guitar). He proudly serves as a member
of the TCU Music Educators organization (MEO), Mu Phi Epsilon, and the Society of
Composers. Outside of music, he enjoys spending time with his Christian brothers of
Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), eating with friends, riding roller coasters, and leading worship
in college ministry. Jojo is so thrilled for the opportunity to meet new perspective
students as a first-year ambassador!
Major: Voice
Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX
She is a member of TCU’s University Singers and Opera Studio. She currently serves as President of our Mu Phi Epsilon Chapter, a professional music fraternity on campus. She is also pursuing a BA in Sociology where she works as a Sociology Advising Peer Guide. Other hobbies include playing guitar, crocheting, and reading. She is overjoyed to be a TCU Music Ambassador and meet prospective students this year!
Major: Vocal Music Education
Hometown: Roanoke, TX
Kai Diamond (he/him) 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 and serves as Vice President of the Music Educators Organization, in addition to working for the TCU All-State Choir Camp staff in the summer. 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!
Major: Violin Performance
Hometown: Spring, Texas
My name is Kaylan, and I’m a sophomore violist! Things that I really enjoy other than music are the gym, YouTube, and gaming, so hit me up if you want recommendations or just wanna hang!
Major: Vocal Music Education
Kaylyn Davis, soprano, is a junior Vocal Music Education major studying under the mentorship of Professor Twyla Robinson. She sings with TCU’s Concert Chorale and is a section leader in University Singers. Kaylyn is also an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon and serves as President of TCU’s Independent Greek Council. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, and spending time with the people she loves. Kaylyn is excited to meet more prospective students in her second year as an ambassador, and hopes they will love TCU as much as she does!
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Granbury, TX
Maddie Purvis loves to play piano in the TCU Symphonic Band, sing as a choral scholar, compose music, play flute with the North Texas Symphony Orchestra and serve as section leader for the cymbal line in the TCU Horned Frog Band. Maddie is an active member of Tau Beta Sigma and Order of Omega as well as TCU Flute Society. She 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.
Major: Voice
Michelle Pearce, mezzo-soprano, is under the mentorship of Dr. Gwendolyn Alfred. She currently serves as a member of the TCU Concert Chorale and Purple White and Blues Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Past experience includes serving as a member of the Singing Girls of Texas (SGT) Tour Choir and performing respectively in the TMEA, ACDA, and SWACDA Honor Choirs. She is elated to serve as an Ambassador and eager to share her love for the TCU School of Music with prospective students!
Major: Instrumental Music Education
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
I play tuba in the TCU Horned Frog Marching Band as well as several other ensembles on campus. I’m passionate about music education and look forward to sharing my love for music with future students as a band director. Outside of rehearsals and classes, I enjoy shopping, baking, going out with friends, and playing card games. Being a part of the TCU Music community has been such a rewarding experience, and I’m excited to welcome new Horned Frogs to our program!
Major: Choral Conducting
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Sarah Gould holds a BM in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Belmont University and is set to graduate from Texas Christian University with an MM in Choral Conducting in May 2026. Prior to pursuing graduate school, Gould was a middle school choir director in Fort Mill, SC, where she created the choral program at the new Forest Creek Middle School. While teaching, she also created a collaborative and curricular Special Education music course. At TCU, she acts as Graduate Assistant to the Conducting courses, Concert Chorale, and Frog Corps, and is Chorus master for TCU Opera. She serves as the Assistant Choral Director and Children’s Music Director at City Point United Methodist Church. Gould works with the Dallas Street Choir, both on the board and in the ensemble setting, as much of her primary research focuses on music outreach. She enjoys singing professionally with various ensembles, both previously and currently, including ensembles such as the Charlotte Master Chorale and Umànita Chorale. She is so excited to meet prospective and incoming students, and help them find their future home at TCU!
Major: Vocal Performance
Hometown: Humble, TX
Sarah Squires (soprano) is a student of Dr. James Rodriguez, and she performs with TCU Opera and TCU Concert Chorale. She is also the Vice President of TCU’s Opera Student Society and a member of TCU’s professional co-ed music fraternity, Mu Phi Epsilon. She is a returning TCU Music Ambassador, and she is grateful to once again get to meet and welcome future Horned Frogs into the School of Music! Go Frogs!
Major: Vocal Music Education
Hometown: Euless, TX
Sofia Dahm (soprano) is entering her final year at TCU as a vocal music education major. One of her favorite things about TCU School of Music is getting to learn and experience music making on a high level in a community that is so welcoming and supportive. Sofia is a member of TCU Concert Chorale, TCU Opera, and a section leader for TCU University Singers. She also is Mu Phi Epsilon's recording secretary, a member of TCU Chi Alpha, and a cantor and choir member at St. Patrick Cathedral in Downtown Fort Worth. Outside of TCU, she loves to bake, watch movies, and read the Bible with friends. Sing boldly and GO FROGS! Psalm 95:1-2
Major: Vocal Studies
Hometown: Houston, TX
Talyah Thomas is pursuing a B.A. in Vocal Studies with a minor in Arts Leadership and Entrepreneurship. At TCU, Talyah is an active performer in various ensembles, choirs, and operas. She is also a founding member of the Black Musicians Association at TCU. Prior to attending TCU, she earned recognition in UIL Solo and Ensemble, TMEA All-Region Choir, and Texas Thespians. A well-rounded and passionate musician, Talyah has studied both classical and jazz music intensively and has experience with digital recording and music production. She also offers private voice lessons, with a focus on Jazz, Classical, Worship & Gospel, and Contemporary styles. As she continues to grow as an artist, Talyah is excited to expand her work in teaching, performing, producing, and composing.
Major: Vocal Music Education
Telvin studies under Dr. James Rodriguez at TCU. He is in U-singers, Frog Corp, and the TCU Opera. He is so excited to return as a Music Ambassador!
Major: Vocal Performance
I am in University Singers, Frog Corps, and Opera, and I study under Dr. Rodriguez! I Enjoy playing volleyball, hanging out with friends and being apart of the TCU's School of music!
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
She plays the violin in the TCU Symphony Orchestra, and is very excited to spend the next four years of college in the School of Music!
Major: Vocal Music Education
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Will Moeller (he/him) 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, working out, and watching reality TV! Will is so proud to be representing TCU as a returning music ambassador!
Major: Tuba Performance
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Zoie Pilate plays tuba in the TCU Symphonic Band & Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, baritone in HFB, and Bass Trombone in Jazz Ensemble 2. She also sings in Vox Resonare. Outside of ensembles, she is a member of Theatre TCU Black Excellence, Secretary of Tuba-Euphonium Society, and President of Black Musicians Association. She is very excited to connect with prospective students and show how amazing the School of Music is.