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, Instrumental Concentration
Hometown: Conroe, TX
My name is Addy Blanks and I am originally from Conroe, TX. I'm a sophmore 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, Vocal Concentration
Hometown: Keller, TX
Allie studies voice under Dr. Gwendolyn Alfred, performs in University Singers and
Vox Resonare, and is a member of the Music Educators Organization at TCU.
Major: Music Education, Instrumental Concentration
Hometown: Houston, TX
Aubry is a freshman music education major from Houston, Texas. She currently plays flute in the TCU Symphonic Band, piccolo in HFB, sings in Vox Resonare, and is an active member in Music Educators Organization.
Major: Music Education, Vocal Concentration
Hi my name is Ava Gilbert. I am a Sophomore Vocal Music Education Major. I am a member of University Singers, Concert Chorale, and Opera. I am also the Elementary Representative of the Music Educators Organization and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha at TCU! I am so excited to be a returning member of the Music Ambassadors.
Major: Music Education, Instrumental Concentration
Chris is a student in the TCU School of Music pursuing an undergraduate degree in
Music Education and is a member of the TCU Horn Studio. Chris began his music career
by studying piano and was a competitor in numerous TMTA Piano Division contests and
festivals, including the 2019 TMTA All State Festival in Houston, Texas. Prior to
coming to TCU, he performed in the TCCBDA All State Band's Horn section three times.
At TCU, he has been a member of various performing ensembles and is an active member
of the Society of Composers as well as the Music Educators Organization. Outside of
music, Chris enjoys trying new coffee shops, spending time with friends and watching
college football on the weekends. He is thrilled to begin this amazing new opportunity
and connect with new people.
Majors: Music Education, Instrumental Concentration
Hometown: Singapore
Dylan is a freshman Music Education major and bass trombonist from Singapore with aspirations to pursue a career in conducting. He is a member of the Music Educators Organization, the International Christian Fellowship, TCU Focus, and the TCU Wesley Foundation, where he plays keyboard for the worship team. Outside the music building, he enjoys cooking, swimming, and spending quality time with friends.
Major: Music Education (voice)
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Danna Melendez (she/her) is a soprano music education major. She studies under Professor Twyla Robinson and is a member of the TCU Concert Chorale and a section leader in University Singers. She is also a member of TCU student organizations such as ACDA, where she serves as Vice President, and the Music Educators’ Organization. She is also a TCU Music Ambassador. Outside of music, Danna enjoys baking and hanging out with her friends.
Major: Music Education, Instrumental Concentration
Hometown: Dallas, TX
At TCU, Elias performs with the Symphonic Band, serves as an Assistant New Member Advisor with the Marching Band, and is the Secretary of the Tuba-Euphonium Society. Outside of the School of Music, he is involved in TTBE (Theatre TCU Black Excellence), sings with the Word of Truth Ministries Gospel Choir, serves as a Community Assistant in his residence hall, and works as a TCU Orientation Coordinator. His favorite part about TCU is the incredible opportunities for campus involvement and the people he has met along the way!
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Maypearl, TX
I play the Bass clarinet in symphonic band and clarinet ensemble. I am a drum major in the marching band, and the vice president of membership of kappa kappa psi. I am a member of the School of Music Advisory committee, and a returning music ambassador. I am involved in other organizations on campus as well, such as TCU Wesley foundation.
Hometown: Highland Village, TX
Esther is currently a freshman instrumental music education major. She plays flute in the TCU Symphonic band and is a part of the piccolo section in the Horned Frog Marching Band. She is excited to meet prospective TCU students and help them on their journey through application and auditions. Go Frogs!
Hometown: Golden, Colorado
Hi! My name is Everlin. I am a first year Master’s cello performance student studying with Dr. Juliette Herlin. I am from Golden, Colorado and received my BM in cello performance from University of Colorado at Boulder. Some of my hobbies outside of music include weightlifting, traveling, and art. My favorite courses offered at TCU are cello ensemble and symphony. Go frogs!
Hometown: Hurst, TX
Grace Choate is a first-year vocal performance major from Hurst, TX. She studies with Twyla Robinson, and is involved in TCU Opera, Concert Chorale, Vox Resonare, and is also in the John V. Honors College. Outside of the SoM, Grace loves baking, reading her Bible, and working out! Soli Deo Gloria!
Hometown: Keller, TX
Hi! I’m from Keller, Texas, and I’m a Music BA and Psychology BS double major at TCU. I play the flute and am involved in Greek life on campus. Outside of music, I love exploring new hobbies, trying new things, and meeting new people. I’m excited to represent the TCU School of Music and connect with others who share a love for music!
Major: Music Education (strings) & Composition
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
J.E "Jojo" Simmons is a junior music education student, composer, & multi-instrumentalist.
He currently studies double bass under Prof. Paul Unger and composition under Dr.
Ryan Lindveit. Jojo's ensemble affiliations include Symphonic Band (Double Bass),
Symphony Orchestra (Double Bass, Horned-Frog Marching Band (Electric bass), and Jazz
Ensemble (Electric Guitar). He proudly serves as the orchestra representative for
the TCU Music Educators organization (MEO) and alumni corresponding officer of Mu
Phi Epsilon. Outside of music, he enjoys spending time with his Christian brothers
of Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), eating with friends, watching superhero movies, and leading
worship in college ministry. Jojo is so thrilled for the opportunity to meet new perspective
students as a returning ambassador!
Hometown: Duncanville, TX
Hello! I am Jon Smith from Duncanville, Texas. I love all kinds of music, including
classical, pop, and musicals. I also love volleyball, singing, and watching different
shows. I am excited to be an ambassador and help the SOM out!
Major: Vocal Music Education
Kaylyn Davis, soprano, is in her final year as a 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. 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 third year as an ambassador, and hopes they will love TCU as much as she does!
Major: Music Performance
My name is Langston Winkler (he/him). I am a first-year Music Performance major, and
I play the French horn. I am apart of the TCU Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and
Horn Frog Marching Band. Outside of school, I love listening to all kinds of music,
I love watching movies, and I love watching basketball. Go Spurs Go! And Go Frogs!
My name is Luke Bogner, I am a freshman music composition major. I am in the saxophone studio and play in the jazz band. I am also a member of the Horned Frog Marching Band.
Hometown: Mansfield, TX
Matthew McInnis is a Freshman tuba performance major from Mansfield, Texas. He is a part of the TCU Tuba and Euphonium ensemble, the TCU Symphonic Band, and the Horned Frog Marching Band. He is a student of both the TCU School of Music and the John V. Roach Honors College. Besides music, he is passionate about basketball, video games, and all things Marvel. Matthew decided to become a School of Music Ambassador because he is very eager in growing the program that he loves so dearly.
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. Additionally, she manages the Vocal Jazz Instagram (@tcupurplewhiteandblues)! 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: DMA, Choral Conducting
Rashad Calaham is a graduate student pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in
Choral Conducting, following nearly a decade of distinguished service as a music educator
in Texas. At TCU, sings in both the TCU Concert Chorale and the TCU Frog Corps, as
well as assists both of these ensembles as a conductor. Outside of TCU, he regularly
performs as both a conductor and a countertenor in professional choruses around the
DFW Metroplex. He holds a Master of Music in Conducting from UT-Arlington and a Bachelor
of Arts in Music from the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Fun facts: Aside from
singing, Rashaad plays multiple woodwinds. Rashaad also won Teacher of the Year during
his time in the Irving Independent School District.
Hometown: Fort Worth
Roman is a first-year instrumental music education major from Fort Worth. Studying horn under Professor Heather Test, he currently plays with the TCU Symphony Orchestra, TCU Symphonic Band, horn studio ensemble, and Horned Frog Marching Band. He is also a member of the Music Educators Organization on campus. Beyond music, he enjoys reading, spending time with friends, collecting records, and hiking.
Rori Vandever currently plays the oboe in the TCU Wind Symphony and TCU Symphony Orchestra, is a member of the saxophone section in the HFB Marching Band, and is a member of the Collegium Musicum where she plays the Baroque oboe. Rori's favorite part of TCU is the connection between peers and she looks forward to meeting new people!
Major: Vocal Performance
Hometown: Humble, TX
Sarah Squires is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Humble, TX pursuing a B.M. in Vocal Performance and a minor in Italian. She is a soprano studying under Dr. James Rodriguez, and she performs with TCU Opera, TCU Concert Chorale, and TCU Vocal Jazz (Purple, White, and Blues). 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: Music Education, Instrumental Concentration
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Simon Amparo is a first-year Music Education major from McKinney, Texas. He plays the saxophone for the TCU Symphonic Band, The Horned Frog Marching Band, and the TCU Jazz Ensemble 2 in the fall semester. Simon is a member of the Music Educators Organization (MEO). Outside of music, Simon is also a member of Frog Army. Simon likes to watch basketball and cook in his free time. Simon is looking forward to meeting prospective Frogs!
Major: Music Education, Vocal Concentration
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Sophia Treviño is a Freshman Vocal Music Education major from Brownsville, Texas.
She studies voice under Dr. Gwendolyn Alfred and is an active member of TCU Opera,
University Singers, Vox Resonare, the Music Educators Organization, and ACDA. She
is looking forward to meeting many new people and is very excited for the next 4 years
to come. Go Frogs!!
Major: Music Education, Vocal Concentration
Sophia Yang is a senior at Texas Christian University pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in Voice. Deeply involved in the School of Music community, she serves as section leader for both University Singers and Vox Resonare and as a Warden of Mu Phi Epsilon. She has previously served as Vocal Arts Representative for the TCU Music Educators Organization, Production Stage Manager for TCU Opera Studio, and President of the Opera Student Society, which she founded. As a School of Music Ambassador, Sophia is passionate about sharing her love of music, fostering meaningful connections, and welcoming the next generation of Horned Frogs to the TCU community!
Major: Vocal Performance
TJ (Baritone) is a Sophomore Vocal Performance major getting his BM. He is currently studying under Dr. James Rodriguez and is a member of the TCU Concert Chorale, TCU Frog Corps, and the TCU Opera. One of his favorite things about TCU and the School of Music is the closely-knitted community that is formed around it through not just the students, but also the amazing faculty who are all here to help students become not only great musicians, but also incredible leaders. When he is not performing, you may find him hanging out with friends, playing an occasional game of tennis, or going on walks around TCU's beautiful campus. TJ is very excited and proud to represent TCU through the School of Music and as a Music Ambassador!
Hometown: Irving, TX
An accomplished young tenor from Irving, Texas, Usman Ali is a First Year student, currently pursuing his Bachelors in Vocal Music Education at Texas Christian University. He is currently studying under Dr. James Rodriguez, and is a part of multiple TCU Choirs and TCU Opera. Beyond competition and recognition, Usman has pursued formal vocal training through private voice lessons and opera coursework at Dallas College Brookhaven and North Lake campuses, further strengthening his artistry and commitment to excellence. Usman has also built an impressive record of performance and service to the Irving community. He has performed at numerous high-profile events, including Irving ISD graduations, athletic banquets, and State of the District celebrations, and lent his voice to community events celebrating causes such as domestic violence awareness and Black History Month.
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
I am a Music Education sophomore and serving as a 2nd year music ambassador! I play the violin as part of the TCU Symphony Orchestra.
Major: Tuba Performance
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Zoie Pilate(she/her) is a senior Tuba Performance major at TCU and returning for her 4th year as a School of Music Ambassador. She plays euphonium in the TCU Wind Symphony & Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, 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, President of TCU Tuba-Euphonium Society, Black Musicians Association, and Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc. Beta Rho Chapter. She is very excited to connect with prospective students and show how amazing the School of Music is.