58TH COMMENCEMENT
UNIVERSITY | 10 A.M. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
HIGH SCHOOL | 2:30 P.M. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
BENTON CONVENTION CENTER | WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
Brian Cole
Chancellor
DEAR STUDENTS AND GUESTS,
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I
welcome you to the 58th Annual Commencement of
the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
This is my favorite time of year. I am lucky enough
to see the culmination of a spectacular year of
creativity, collaboration and camaraderie as we
gather together one last time to send the next
generation of artists o to their amazing futures.
Graduates, we recognize the incredible eort and
perseverance you have shown throughout your
time at UNCSA. You have successfully completed a
challenging, intensive program, and today we honor
your dedication, hard work and artistic vision. You
are now equipped with the skills, knowledge and
confidence to make your mark in the world, and we
have no doubt that you will achieve great things.
Families and friends of graduates, we cannot thank
you enough for the extraordinary impact you have
had on these exceptional individuals. Your love,
financial commitment and emotional foundation
have been instrumental in helping them reach this
momentous occasion.
I am forever grateful to the visionaries who founded
UNCSA; to the N.C General Assembly that realized
the dream; to the Winston-Salem community that
fought for the school; and to the UNC Board of
Governors, the UNCSA Board of Trustees and our
generous supporters who keep it thriving. I’m also
thankful for the dedicated faculty and sta who
have worked tirelessly to provide an outstanding
education and experience to our students. Together,
we share great pride in our graduates and how
they will use their training not only to express
themselves artistically, but also to leverage their
art as a mechanism for positive change in our
culture and society.
Graduates, as you move forward into the next phase
of your artistic journey, we encourage you to use
the creative voice that you have nurtured here to
make a dierence in the world. You have the power
to lead the way toward a brighter future, to inspire,
to provoke thought, and to bring healing and hope
to our world.
GREETINGS
FROM CHANCELLOR BRIAN COLE
Photo by Wayne Reich
An innovative, experienced and bilingual arts
leader, Brian Cole is the ninth chancellor of UNCSA.
Cole leads approximately 1,300 students from
high school through graduate school, as well as
700 summer and 500 community school students,
and nearly 600 faculty and sta.
The UNC Board of Governors appointed Cole as
chancellor on May 20, 2020. He had previously
served as interim chancellor at UNCSA since August
2019. He first joined UNCSA as dean of the School
of Music in 2016.
Since becoming chancellor, he has led the
development of “UNCSA Forward: Our 2022-27
Strategic Plan.” The five-year plan is guiding
UNCSA into the next era as it evolves to meet the
demands of a transforming arts and entertainment
landscape and helps its student artists ignite
cultural change in the industry and society.
His initiatives in support of the strategic plan have
included the launches of: a multiyear partnership
with Dance Theatre of Harlem, to elevate
educational and professional opportunities for
student dancers; UNCSA Media, a mission-driven
media publishing arm that features the creative
projects of faculty and alumni; a partnership with
Posse Arts, to identify and enroll talented students
who might be missed through traditional avenues,
conceived in collaboration with Broadway’s
Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Miranda Family Fund;
and “Premier Stage at UNCSA,” featuring
performances by students and faculty and behind-
the-scenes video on PBS North Carolina.
As chancellor, Cole has overseen several major
capital projects including the completion of the
Semans Arts and Administration Building, turning
the old library into an event/meeting space,
accessible leadership oces, and needed oces for
faculty; the renovation of Freedman and Catawba
theaters in the Alex C. Ewing Performance Place;
and the completion of the Artist Village, a
new residence hall to replace aging dorms and
apartments. He is currently leading the long-awaited
comprehensive renovation of the university’s largest
performance and training venue, the Stevens Center
in downtown Winston-Salem.
During his tenure, Cole has filled numerous key
leadership positions, including the executive vice
chancellor and provost, three vice chancellor
positions, the vice provost of student aairs, and
the executive director of the Thomas S. Kenan
Institute for the Arts, as well as five deans, forming
a talented team that is leading UNCSA into the
next decade.
As a fundraiser, Cole provided leadership for the
first comprehensive campaign at UNCSA in decades:
Powering Creativity: The Campaign for UNCSA. He
directed the school across the finish line to raise
more than $75 million, surpassing the original goal
by $10 million. As dean of the School of Music, he
doubled merit-based scholarship resources through
major gifts totaling $4 million.
An accomplished conductor, Cole has led orchestras
and operas throughout the United States, Europe,
South America and the Caribbean. The 2023
production of “The Nutcracker” at Greensboro’s
Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
marked Cole’s fourth time on the podium with the
UNCSA Symphony Orchestra.
Prior to joining UNCSA, Cole served four years as
the founding dean of academic aairs at Berklee
College of Music’s campus in Valencia, Spain.
Before that, he served seven years as associate
dean of academic aairs at the Puerto Rico
Conservatory of Music.
Cole was a doctoral student in orchestral
conducting at the University of Cincinnati. He
received his Master of Music in instrumental
conducting from the University of Illinois and
his Bachelor of Music in bassoon performance
from Louisiana State University.
HEARING AND VISUAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
Use your phone’s camera to scan this code to view live captions of commencement and
access a digital version of our program that can be enlarged.
BIOGRAPHY OF BRIAN COLE
School of Filmmaking, “If God is a woman, her name ain’t Josie,” 2022
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts
(UNCSA) is a top-ranked arts conservatory and
America’s first state-supported arts school. The
nation’s only public university with five arts disciplines
on one campus, UNCSA prepares emerging artists
for careers in dance, design and production, drama,
filmmaking, and music. No other university in the
country – public or private – oers the breadth of
its training programs.
UNCSA awards diplomas and degrees at the high
school, undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate
levels. Along with rigorous arts training, students
receive intensive academic instruction through
a Division of Liberal Arts and a High School
Academic Program.
Approximately 1,300 students are enrolled; they
study with resident master teachers who have had
successful careers in the arts and who remain active
in their professions. Noted guest artists frequently
bring lessons directly from the industry.
UNCSA provides industry-leading instruction
in an inclusive environment where students are
encouraged to leverage the arts as a mechanism
for change. Interdisciplinary opportunities arising
from the unique arts ecosystem on campus
prepare artists to enter an evolving global arts
and entertainment industry.
The unique premise upon which the school was
founded came under the initiative of former
Gov. and Duke University President Terry Sanford,
guided by visionary writer John Ehle. Their creative
alliance forged an institution unorthodox for its time.
Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963,
the school opened as the North Carolina School
of the Arts in Winston-Salem in 1965. The location
of the school was decided when the citizens of
Winston-Salem, known as the “City of Arts and
Innovation” and home of the first municipal arts
council in the nation, raised nearly a million dollars
in a two-day telephone campaign to win the school
for the city.
Composer Vittorio Giannini of The Juilliard School
was the school’s first president; subsequent
chancellors have included Pulitzer Prize-winning
composer Robert Ward, former Jorey Ballet
General Director Alex C. Ewing, world-renowned
conductor John Mauceri, and media veteran Lindsay
Bierman. The school became part of the University
of North Carolina System when it was formed in 1972.
UNCSA alumni have performed in or behind the
scenes of Broadway shows, film, television and
regional theater, and are members of the world’s
finest symphony orchestras and opera and dance
companies. They have won or been nominated for
all of the major awards in the entertainment
industry, including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
Among the many alumni working in the arts today
are Gillian Murphy, principal dancer, American Ballet
Theatre; Paul Tazewell, costume designer,
“Hamilton,” Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story”;
Mary-Louise Parker, actress, “How I Learned to
Drive,” “Fried Green Tomatoes”; Danny McBride,
producer/writer/actor, “Eastbound and Down,”
“The Righteous Gemstones”; and Nia Franklin,
composer and opera singer, former Miss America.
ABOUT UNCSA
Photo by Wayne Reich
For more information about UNCSA, visit uncsa.edu.
The spring edition of the Chamber Music Festival
welcomed acclaimed guest artists Pavel Nersessian,
Robert deMaine and Music alumna and violinist
Delphine Skene (M.M. ’20, B.M. ’18).
In March, Jason Bohon directed “Twelfth Night,
or What You Will,” a romantic comedy by William
Shakespeare, which featured original music made
especially for the production by Music students.
Spring Dance featured the iconic version of
Stravinsky’s dazzling “Firebird,” created exclusively
for Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) in 1982, with
guest soloists Alexandra Hutchinson and Derek
Brockington of DTH. Rounding out the program
were premieres by Dance alumni Trey McIntyre
(H.S. ’87) and Jim Vincent (’78), and a version
of “The Rite of Spring” by Dance faculty member
Britt Juleen Gonzalez.
AWARDS
Chancellor Brian Cole was honored by The Posse
Foundation at “Posse’s Annual Gala – An Evening
of Stars” last June in New York City.
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Patrick J. Sims
was named one of Black Business Ink magazine’s
Power 100 during the publication’s 20th anniversary
awards ceremony last June in Greensboro.
Last fall, five violists from the School of Music –
students Joshua Forbes, Arina Komarova, Yiming
Zhao, Hehe Qi and Julia “Jules” Rabinalek – swept
the Young Artist and Senior strings categories at
the 2023 state competition of the Music Teachers
National Association (MTNA).
In December, fourth-year Filmmaking student
Mary Louise Renegar won the East Region Jury
Award in the Best Women Student Filmmakers at
the Directors Guild of America 29th Annual
Student Film Awards.
In January, alumnus Will Files (B.F.A. Filmmaking ’02)
won a Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding sound
editing for a limited or anthology series, movie or
special for his work on Hulu’s “Prey.”
In February, High School Music alumna Mary-Mitchell
Campbell (HS Music ‘92) won her first Grammy for
her role as a producer on the Broadway musical
“Some Like It Hot.”
In February, nine students from the UNCSA high
school Visual Arts Program won 13 awards at the
2024 Mid-Carolina Scholastic Art Awards. The
winning artwork was on display at the Mint Museum
in Charlotte.
In March, School of Music High School double bass
students Gavin Hardy, Michael Stratford and
Simon Vázquez-Carr were selected to participate in
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2023–24 YEAR
Continued
PERFORMANCES
Last September, School of Music students performed
“Ten Thousand Birds,” a work by Grammy Award-
winning American composer John Luther Adams,
on Daniels Plaza.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the opening
of its concert venue, Watson Hall, the School of
Music expanded the UNCSA Chamber Music Festival
to three concerts featuring faculty, students and
seven distinguished guest artists last October.
Fourth-year Drama directing student Vivian Farahani
directed “Enron,” a play by British playwright
Lucy Prebble about the riveting financial scandal,
last October.
School of Drama faculty member Andy Paris
directed a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s
“As You Like It” featuring members of several local
community groups as part of the cast and crew
last October.
Alumnus and Music Director Robert Franz (M.M. ’92,
B.M. ’90) of the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra
conducted the final concert on Oct. 24, 2023, before
the Stevens Center’s long-awaited renovation. It
featured a group photo of the audience.
In December, the 2023 production of “The
Nutcracker” set records for attendance and
gross ticket sales during its performances at the
Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
in Greensboro.
New in December was “Holiday Suite: Home for
the Holidays,” a free event that oered an
immersive journey into the sights, sounds and
flavors of winter festivities celebrated across
diverse cultures and communities.
In January, the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute presented
Donizetti’s bel canto masterpiece “Maria di Rohan”
at the High Point Theatre, with Steven LaCosse
directing and James Allbritten conducting.
In February, Drama faculty member Cli Odle
directed “Barbecue,” by American playwright
Robert O’Hara.
In February, the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra
and the UNCSA Cantata Singers performed the
Duruflé Requiem, conducted by faculty member
James Allbritten, and a brass and organ program
conducted by faculty member Mark A. Norman
at Centenary United Methodist Church. They were
joined by choirs from Wake Forest University.
In March, the UNCSA Jazz Ensemble, under
the direction of new Jazz and Contemporary
Department Chair Steve Alford, presented the first
Improvised Music and Jazz Spring Mini-Fest at the
Millennium Center in downtown Winston-Salem.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2023–24 YEAR, Cont.
Carnegie Hall’s prestigious National Youth Orchestra of
the United States of America (NYO-USA) this summer.
This spring, several Design & Production students
were honored by their industry. Recognized by the
U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology, Nathan Bowden
won the Richard Hay Undergraduate Scene Design
Award; Maki Niikura and Nikolas Serrano were
selected to present at the Emerging Creatives
Showcase; and Alex Magallanes and Abi Senthil
were selected for the Gateway Program. Students
Stephen Smart and Dominick Riches were selected
for the Annual Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review
Exhibit in New York; Smart was named a Hemsley
Lighting Program intern.
In April, School of Music voice student Bentley
Dorics was named the recipient of a U.S. Fulbright
English Teaching Assistantship and Music voice
student Onyx Velez was named the recipient of
an Austria Fulbright U.S. Teaching Assistantship.
School of Music students Sarah Core and Robbie
Raso were semifinalists for Fulbright fellowships.
MILESTONES
Last July, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Patrick J. Sims announced Laurel Donley as vice
provost of student aairs at UNCSA.
Last August, Peter Juran of Winston-Salem was
elected chair of the UNCSA Board of Trustees,
Drama alumna Rhoda Gris (B.F.A. ’83) was
elected vice chair and Music alumna Nia Imani
Franklin (M.M. ’17) was elected secretary.
Last September, the Thomas S. Kenan Institute
for the Arts, in partnership with the School of
Filmmaking, hosted an evening of conversation
with award-winning author and screenwriter Nick
Hornby, moderated by renowned Drama alumnus
Peter Hedges (B.F.A. ’84).
Last September, UNCSA launched its first-ever
media publishing arm, UNCSA Media, a mission-
driven recording label that features the creative
projects of faculty and alumni and oers curricular
opportunities for students to gain practical career
skills in intellectual property and entrepreneurship,
with support from the Thomas S. Kenan Institute
for the Arts.
Last October, the School of Design and Production,
in partnership with Mitchell County, N.C., produced
a multiday interactive Halloween experience called
“Hilloween.”
In fall 2023, UNCSA and the Winston-Salem
Symphony launched a two-year, graduate-level
Orchestral Fellowship beginning fall 2024.
Last November, UNCSA launched “Premier Stage
at UNCSA,” a weekly series on PBS NC.
Chancellor Brian Cole announced Kory P. Kelly
as the new vice chancellor for strategic
communications last December.
In January, the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for
the Arts and UNCSA hosted the celebrated Black
Sacred Music Symposium, a four-day conference
dedicated to the study and performance of
Black sacred music traditions.
In February, more than 600 students from across
the state attended the UNCSA Festival of Dance.
In March, UNCSA announced the selection of Jenkins
Peer Architects (JPA), based in Charlotte, and
Steinberg Hart, based in Los Angeles, as the design
team for Phase 2 of the Stevens Center renovation.
In April, UNCSA and Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH)
announced a multiyear partnership, which will
create educational and professional opportunities
for student dancers and provide opportunities to
revitalize iconic works from the DTH canon as well
as co-curate new works and creative projects. The
partnership was made possible with funding and
programmatic support by the Thomas S. Kenan
Institute for the Arts.
In April, multiple projects with Filmmaking
connections premiered at the RiverRun International
Film Festival including faculty member Julian
Semilian’s “Fish Have No Psychiatrists” and student
Viktor Maverick’s “Red Bird.”
RANKINGS
The Hollywood Reporter ranked the School of Drama
No. 3 on its list of the “Top 25 Drama Schools in the
World” last June.
Last August, the School of Filmmaking was
recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as No. 9
on its list of 25 Top Film Schools in America and
by MovieMaker magazine in its list of 25 Best
Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada, which cited
the school for its directing program.
Last November, the School of Filmmaking’s
graduate-level film music composition program
was ranked by The Hollywood Reporter at No. 12
on its list of the Top 20 Programs in the World.
TheWrap listed the Film school No. 11 on its annual
list of the Top 50 Film Schools in the U.S. The
School of Drama was also listed by the publication
in its list of 20 Great Schools for Acting and Theater.
In February, The Hollywood Reporter ranked the
School of Design and Production’s costume design
program in its Top 10 annual list.
In April, the Film school was recognized by
Variety in its annual list of “Top Film Schools in
North America.”
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER |
UNIVERSITY AND HIGH SCHOOL
Troy Kotsur is an Academy Award-winning actor
whose groundbreaking role in “CODA” (2021)
made him the first Deaf male actor to win the
Oscar, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, Critics’ Choice,
Independent Spirit and Gotham awards.
Directed by Sian Heder, “CODA” took home
three 2022 Oscars: best motion picture of the
year, best adapted screenplay, and Kotsur’s best
performance by an actor in a supporting role.
In the Deaf community, CODA stands for
“children of Deaf adults.”
Photo by Matt Stasi
TROY KOTSUR
HONORARY DOCTORATE RECIPIENT
In April of 2023, Kotsur was appointed by
President Joe Biden to the President’s Committee
on the Arts and the Humanities.
Kotsur’s first major film role was in 2007’s
“The Number 23” alongside Jim Carrey, and in
2016 he had his first leading role in the independent
feature “Wild Prairie Rose,” directed by UNCSA
School of Filmmaking Dean Deborah LaVine.
Kotsur made his directorial debut with 2013’s
“No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie,” which
brought a positive message to Deaf children. In
television, he gained recognition in the Star Wars
universe for creating the Tusken sign language,
which was used in both “Book of Boba Fett”
and “The Mandalorian,” a series in which he also
appeared as an actor.
Prior to “CODA,” Kotsur was most known for his
successful and highly prolific theater career, which
includes multiple roles in the Tony Award-winning
run of “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn” on Broadway. In Los Angeles, he performed at
the Mark Taper Forum and with Deaf West Theater,
where he was the lead in productions including
“True West” and “A Streetcar Named Desire,” both
directed by Dean LaVine, “Cyrano,” and “Our Town,”
and appeared in the 2015 Los Angeles Drama
Critics Circle Award nominee “Spring Awakening.”
A native of Mesa, Arizona, Kotsur began acting
in grade school, with some of his earliest
performances including reenacting “Tom and Jerry”
cartoon storylines to his classmates. He studied
theater, film and television at Gallaudet University
in Washington, D.C., and following graduation,
toured with the National Theatre of the Deaf.
Kotsur’s appearance is made possible with
generous support from the Thomas S. Kenan
Institute for the Arts in honor of its 30th anniversary.
UNIVERSITY PROGRAM
PROCESSIONAL
The audience is asked to remain seated
for the duration of the Processional.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Brian Cole Chancellor
GREETINGS AND REMARKS
C. Philip Byers Member, University of
North Carolina Board of Governors
Representative, University of North Carolina
System Oce
PRESENTATION OF BOARD OF GOVERNORS
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Paul Sharpe Recipient
GREETINGS AND REMARKS, Continued
Peter Juran Chair, Board of Trustees
Andy Paris Chair, Faculty Council
Jack Sargeant Student Body President
INTRODUCTION OF THE
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Chancellor Cole
AWARDING OF HONORARY DOCTORATE
Chancellor Cole
Patrick J. Sims Executive Vice Chancellor
and Provost
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Troy Kotsur
Mr. Kotsur’s ASL Interpreter: Justin Maurer
AWARDING OF UNIVERSITY DEGREES,
DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES
Chancellor Cole
Provost Sims
Rachel Williams Dean, Division of Liberal Arts
Sharon Hush Registrar
Endalyn T. Outlaw Dean, School of Dance
Brenda Daniels Associate Dean, School of Dance
Michael J. Kelley Dean, School of Design
and Production
Rebecca Pancoast Scenic Art, School of
Design and Production
Scott Zigler Dean, School of Drama
Janine Hawley Assistant Dean for Academics
and Administration, School of Drama
Deborah LaVine Dean, School of Filmmaking
Paul Razza Associate Dean, School of Filmmaking
Lauren Vilchik Assistant Dean of
Graduate Studies, School of Filmmaking
Saxton Rose Dean, School of Music
David Winkelman Associate Dean,
School of Music
CLOSING REMARKS TO THE
GRADUATING CLASS
Chancellor Cole
RECESSIONAL
The audience is asked to remain seated
for the duration of the Recessional.
PLATFORM PARTY
In addition to the persons listed previously,
the Platform Party also includes:
Karen Beres Vice Provost and Dean of
Academic Aairs
Jim DeCristo Vice Chancellor for
Economic Development and Chief of Sta
Laurel Donley Vice Provost of Student Aairs
Wendy Emerson Vice Chancellor for
Finance and Administration
Lissy Garrison Vice Chancellor for Advancement
David Harrison Vice Chancellor for
Institutional Integrity and General Counsel
Kory P. Kelly Vice Chancellor for
Strategic Communications
B. Afeni McNeely Cobham Associate Vice Chancellor
and Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
and Belonging
GIANNINI BRASS
Ken Wilmot trumpet
Rusty Smith trumpet
Robert Campbell French horn
Guy Kelpin trombone
Matt Ransom tuba
Tony Artimisi drums
MASTER OF
FINE ARTS
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Catherine Roberts Alvord
Liv Bast
Henry Beard
Logan Benson
Alexandra Nicole Brown
Quincy Amelia D’Alessio
Brady Charles Flock
Nomi Frank
Tessa Hager
Teagan Rose Hamel
Jaedon Harpe
Becky Hicks
Domantas Karalius
Olivia Keserich
Ryan Phillip LeBlanc Lasich
Miles Maline
Sarah McElcheran
John Frederick O’Neil
Seavor Michael Roach
Cameron Russell
Paige Spizzo
Jordan Caroline Taylor
Mrinali Thanwani
Lyssa Troemel
Van
Emily Weinberger
Lauren Wieland
Megan Winkler
FILMMAKING
Mary Craven Adams
Julian Borges
Wesley Broome
Caleb Cannon
Eun-Kyoung Annette Cho
Lavelle Randia Curtis
Erwick D’Souza
Dimitri Dikhel
Julian London Glasthal
Autumn Karen
Dmitri Alexander Hunter
Atiba Ermina Jeers
Lauryn Janae Massenburg
Wilton Earl Mitchell, Jr.
Lucy Moreno
Ellie Grace Pobis
Flint Steppenrock
Stephen Victoria Stone
Samuel Mason Tosto
Lucas Schrimsher Williams
David E. Williamson
FLETCHER OPERA
PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
CERTIFICATE
Thomas MacArthur Bradford
Robert Raso
PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
CERTIFICATE
Gustavo Antoniacomi
Natalie Jane Barela
Adrian William Gonzalez
Jessica Christine Gulisek
Myles Duane Moore
Clara Lee Passmore
Nathan Alexander Campbell Thomeer
Julianne Zhu
MASTER OF MUSIC
René Barbera
Boroka Boisen
Ryan Keith
David Maize
Jacob Michael McCoy
Tai Mikulecky
Ivan Felipe Muñoz Vargas
Alexander Jean Robert Nelson
Alexandra Partridge
Danielle Romano
Gabrielle Small
Kevin Joseph Spooner
Christopher Chase Thornhill
Justin Robert Whitt
Marina Zimmermann
GRADUATE ARTIST
CERTIFICATE
Fred McKinney
BACHELOR OF
FINE ARTS
DANCE
Nadia Avery
Ashtyn Elizabeth Babb+
Margaret Grace Bethune+
Isabella Campbell
Rose Ellen Castell+
Lily Chan+
Karley Childress
Dearion Ragin Clyburn
Destiney Daniels
Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb
Abi Gooch
Jarrod Miles Jason Harrell
Terra Hernandez
Courtney Cortez Hodges
Aimee Le+
Meghan Lensmeyer+
Santina Leone
Mackenzie Ireland Longley+
Vanessa Kate Meikle
Katherine Elizabeth Yumiao Nettles
Karl Huang Pil+
Abigail Grace Pontius
Kenzie Sawyer+
Elyse Nicole Scalia+
Claire Mee Eun Schier
Hikaru Sydney Smith
Skylar Olivia Tuttle+
Margaret Wilsch+
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Vallye Catelynn Adams
Kai Aguirre
Mahalet Andargachew
Maya Batshoun
Andrew Beauregard
Lucas Becker
Tahtiana Danette Bellins (Fall 2023)
Nathan Bowden
Tierney Ailish Brennan
Renee Chasey
Garrett Deutsch
Megan Gannie DeVolder
Chase Dietrich
Grace DiMaio
Hannah Ferkol
Isabelle Flores
Chai Freedman
Elizabeth Anne Furman
Sage Green
Patrick Robert Hearn
Jasmine Hernandez
Adriaen Shi Hobgood
Marquita Horton
Courtney Danielle Jones
Trevor Kirschenheiter
Sydney Elizabeth Knowland
Jennifer Marie Kroon-Nelson
Olivia Kayo Kurima+
Kenzie Lawson
Chloe Lupini
Kai Machuca
Alexandra Isabella Magallanes
Jamie Martinsen
Abbey Laryn Maruyama
Molly McGill
Kira Miller
Ella Moy
Maki Niikura
Evie Anne Nootenboom
M Nottke
Madison Pattillo
Kasey Lynn Paulson
Megan Peck+
Brayden Lee Pilson
Kay Ra
UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2024
UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2024
BACHELOR OF MUSIC
Jojo Di Norcia++
Bentley Dorics++
Michael Lee Drusdow (Fall 2023)
Joshua Forbes
Avery Greene
Jillian Hope Griey++
Olivia Jean Grocott
Andrew Johnson
Joshua Jones
Ruth Kelley
Gabriel López
Sophie Lyman
Nhan Quy Mai
George Mobley
Hayden Lucas Neumann
Jackson Ray
Madelyn Rose Sealey (Fall 2023)
Sterling David Tilley III+
Ruslan Usaev
Onyx Vélez++
Elijah White++
+Denotes Graduating with the
Arts Entrepreneurship Minor
++Denotes Graduating with the
German Studies Minor
+++Denotes Graduating with the
Creative Writing Minor
Students who are wearing
red, white and blue cords are
veterans who served in the
U.S. Armed Forces.
Since this program was printed
several days in advance of
commencement, a student’s
name in the program does not
guarantee completion of all
degree requirements, and late
applicants may not appear.
Harrison Reilly Reid+
Dominick Zayne Riches
Clara Rimes
Graham Savage
Alkh Schoolfield
Eva Schramm-Hesse+
Justin Seithel
Abirami Senthil
Nikolas Raul Serrano
Liz Shekhterman-Baklar+
Stephen Joseph Smart Jr.
Jasper Somers
Franklin Omar Sosa Burgos
Ashley Spear
Kristoer Spersrud
Isabella Sherise Tapia
Mara Milena Trefzger
Olivia Alane Venable
Jake Taylor Wales
William Wharton
Talia Whitehead
DRAMA
Vittoria Alonso
Aphrodite Armstrong
Mikenzi Masiah Barrow
Sofie Arden Berg
Ferin Renae Bergen
Miles Blue
Christian Ahmad Brown
Natasha Dvorak
Jack Zubieta Elliott
Vivian Farahani
Abigail K. Garcia
Jasmine Hurt
Kennedy Victoria-Geneva Jackson
Dara Kovacevic
Harvaniya Krishnan
Sam Lee Baladejo
Daniella Denisse Macre Rodríguez
Maya Mays
Kiara Mazariegos
Hunter Mccoy
Seth Ajani McLaughlin
Nina-Grace Quintanilla+
Logan Salas
Santiago Sepulveda
Grace Elizabeth Steckler
Isabel Stewart
Ryleigh Walker
FILMMAKING
John Charles Abb
Mia Albanese
Kenzie Arters
Paris Arthur
Camilla Zaidee Bennett
Ashley Rose Binger
Lillian Bradford
Anderson Burrus
Joshua Campbell
Mayra Noemi Coronilla Campos
Soren Christopher Candell
Alexandria Lauren Castillo
Emma Chandler+++
Franz Criscione
Emma Helen Webb Czoty
Destiny DeJames
Jillian Renee Dengate
Sky Dexter
Zoe Michala Dion
Willie Curtis Dixon III
Emily Doran
Declan Duggan
Alanna Farr
Ana Gabriela Fisher
Alexia Forsythe
Joseph Boyd Frazer-Mohler
Nico Glass
Emma Kathleen Groce
Elizabeth Joy Guenther
Joey Harmon
Leela Becker Hoerschelmann
Joseph Albert Hurtado
Stewart Franklin Jeers
Caleb Jordan
Aidan Kinser
Shelby Lail
Brianna Lynn Lanzen
Clay Ambrose Laplante+++
Nathan Lathroum+++
Conor Patrick Lawler
Alyssa Lee
Alejandro Lucas Fritts+
Kayla Luther
Jamie Marano
Brandon McGee
Eva Marie McKeon
Chandler Mitchell
Madison Lee Morris
Nidhi Mundra
Conner Nyberg+
Cheyenne Cathleen Oxendine
Cameron Panone
William Parham
Mary Louise Reneger
James Conlon Rice
Joshua Robinson
Cassidy Scott
Timothy Gene Shibles
Gavin Holmes Smith
Michael Ji-Min Staley
Trent Tuttle
Matthew Valledor Cruz
Benjamin Wanko
Jonathan Todd Weaver
Priscilla Nicole Witt+++
Cameron McCall Woord
Photo by Luke Jamroz
School of Dance, Spring Dance, “Firebird,” 2024
School of Design and Production, Wig and Makeup, 2023
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
PROCESSIONAL
The audience is asked to remain seated
for the duration of the Processional.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Brian Cole Chancellor
GREETINGS AND REMARKS
Peter Juran Chair, Board of Trustees
Je George Vice Chair, Faculty Council
Chlo Webster High School
Student Government President
SENIOR CLASS SPEAKER
Madi Bianco Contemporary Dance
SENIOR AWARD RECIPIENT
Timire Leak Drama
INTRODUCTION OF THE
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Chancellor Cole
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Troy Kotsur
Mr. Kotsur’s ASL Interpreter: Justin Maurer
AWARDING OF HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS
Chancellor Cole
Patrick J. Sims Executive Vice Chancellor
and Provost
Martin Ferrell Headmaster and Dean,
High School Academic Program
Brock Snyder Associate Dean,
High School Academic Program
Sharon Hush Registrar
Endalyn T. Outlaw Dean, School of Dance
Brenda Daniels Associate Dean, School of Dance
Michael J. Kelley Dean, School of Design and
Production
Will Taylor Director, Visual Arts Program,
School of Design and Production
Scott Zigler Dean, School of Drama
Maggie Anderson Director, High School
Drama Program
Saxton Rose Dean, School of Music
David Winkelman Associate Dean,
School of Music
CLOSING REMARKS TO THE
GRADUATING CLASS
Chancellor Cole
RECESSIONAL
The audience is asked to remain seated
for the duration of the Recessional.
PLATFORM PARTY
In addition to the persons listed previously,
the Platform Party also includes:
Karen Beres Vice Provost and Dean of
Academic Aairs
Jim DeCristo Vice Chancellor for
Economic Development and Chief of Sta
Laurel Donley Vice Provost of Student Aairs
Wendy Emerson Vice Chancellor for
Finance and Administration
Lissy Garrison Vice Chancellor for Advancement
David Harrison Vice Chancellor for
Institutional Integrity and General Counsel
Kory P. Kelly Vice Chancellor for
Strategic Communications
B. Afeni McNeely Cobham Associate Vice Chancellor
and Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
and Belonging
GIANNINI BRASS
Ken Wilmot trumpet
Rusty Smith trumpet
Robert Campbell French horn
Guy Kelpin trombone
Matt Ransom tuba
Tony Artimisi drums
Photo by Jeremy Cowart
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2024
SCHOOL OF DANCE
Madigan Kathleen Bianco
Valadie Alexa Cammack
Audrey Elizabeth Cannon
Ella Lindsay Champion
Nadia Chudzik
Siobhan Michelle Cogley
Harry Gordon Cooper
Reese Danielle Dailey
Tove Catherine Davies
Jacob Edward Duehring
Elsa Ruby Herr
Liam Vincent Hutt
Melayna Rose King
Ava Rose Lanzas
Karis Yong Hee Lim
Emma Kate Monroe
Nifa Aulo Omondi
Julian David Pecoraro
Ryan Loretta Pecorella
Seth Ryan Roberts
Nyla Simone Run
Hailey Anna Salter
Mariella Saunders
Sophia Lynn Schreiber
Ava Colette-Garcia Strickland
Jirahgon Alison Supitux
Olivia Grace Tarlton
Olivia Renee Vorhis
Chloe Carol Webster
Bridget Leeann Woolley
Hayden Ellis Wright
SCHOOL OF DRAMA
Adair Addison
Kaleb Montrez Bell
Laylah Coy Cooper-Holman
Elliott Ware Daggett
Grace Jax-Erin Gervasio
Ye-On Hong
Sai Samanvitha Kuncharapu
Timire Nazire Leak
Davis Matthew Lensch
Cohen Ryleigh Messer
Brea Marie Nahaj-Taylor
Mia Rose O’Brien
Richmond Henry Parris
Nicole Ayana Pereira
Carletta Terese Shaner
Kelsey Rose Thacker
Auguste Paul Thielemann
Hazel Rose Thompson
Bowie Werran
Satiya Serene Williamson
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Noah Benjamin Anderson
Daya Laine Asokan
Emerson Marshall Baylor
RoKem Christian Bayne
Sara Nell Danforth Chase
Elizabeth Erin Clemente
Lincoln Josiah Crosby
Luke Miller Cunningham
Christina Marie Demetropoulos
Ellie Dixon
Céleste Dominique Driscoll
Jonah Beach Foster
Augustus McDermott Giegengack
Samuel James Han
Gavin Hardy
Aubrey Layne Hinton
Ryan Thomas Holland
Diego Guadalupe Infanzon
Lucas Isaiah Ingle
Nicholas Townsend Jackson
Madyson Brielle James
Jared Michael Janpol
Thompson Allen Jones
Gabriel Gospodin Kostov
James Owen Hill Majcher
Jackson Clay Martin
Caitlin Nicole Maurer
Since this program was printed
several days in advance of
commencement, a student’s
name in the program does not
guarantee completion of all
diploma requirements, and late
applicants may not appear.
Stella Blue Nester
Alex Nunley
Isabella Okhotina
Zach Olsen
Isabelle Parker
Claire Magdalen Patana
Micah Gregory Sullivan Philipp
Kate Elizabeth Rampel
Garrett Gene Reider
Noah Smith Sabourin
Chloe Ann Scarola
Aiden Harrison Sowers
Drake Richard Stewart
Gracyn Leigh Strickland
Simon David Vazquez-Carr
Mason Wright Waterman
VISUAL ARTS
Shya True Chakeres
Randyl Leigh Cleaver
Max Jewell Cram
Ellie Creech
Addi Grace Crowder
Olivia Reid Dagenhart
Ashe Noel Thomas Denny
Marianna Estupiñán
Makayla Lynn George
Lily Jane Scarlet Guerin
Josephine Dare Jakubecy
Sophia Wren Karner
Shaun Marshall Kawalec
Elijah Scott Kimball
Finch Milo Kortus
Beatrice Pearl McLellan
Lilly Kate Pesako
Naia Renwick
Annalee Joyce Shaer
Sidney Michelle Steene
Fongei Gabsia Tohnya
Alexander Jerey Turpin
Tanisi Rao Venkannagari
Lynn Zawistowski
Paul Sharpe, professor of double bass at UNCSA
since 2007, currently serves as assistant dean
for recruitment and enrollment. He is active
internationally both as an orchestral and chamber
musician and as a soloist. He has performed
and taught throughout the world: in Germany at
Villa Musica and the International Chamber Music
Academy of Southern Germany; the International
Double Bass Encounter in Brazil; the Paris
Conservatory; Poland’s World Bass Festival; and
in Italy at the Orfeo Music Festival. In the United
States, he has given master classes and performed
recitals at many conservatories and universities,
including the Cleveland Institute, the University
of Iowa, the University of Michigan, University of
North Texas, University of Denver and Shenandoah
Conservatory.
As soloist, he has performed with the UNCSA
Wind Ensemble, Winston-Salem Symphony, Boise
Philharmonic, Anchorage Symphony, Orquestra de
Camara Theatro Sao Pedro (Porto Alegre, Brazil),
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Orchestra, Lubbock
Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Orchestra
and Aspen Young Artists Orchestra.
He greatly enjoys performing with the eclectic bass
quartet Bad Boyz of Double Bass, and his work as
a member of the unique cello-bass duo Low and
Lower has pushed him from the traditional role of
a classical double bassist into singing, acting,
composing, arranging and more.
Alumni from his UNCSA double bass studio have
recently won positions in the Philadelphia Orchestra,
Charlotte Symphony, Hyogo Performing Arts Center
Orchestra in Japan, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
and El Paso Symphony. In eight of the last nine years,
at least one member of his UNCSA High School
studio has been appointed to the National Youth
Orchestra-USA or NYO2 orchestras, including three
this year.
Prior to joining the faculty at UNCSA, Sharpe was
a tenured professor at Texas Tech University;
adjunct faculty at University of North Texas; and
an instructor at Augustana College in Rock Island,
Illinois, and the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City.
Sharpe holds a Bachelor of Music in performance
from Northwestern University in Illinois and a
Master of Arts in music from the University of
Iowa. His principal teachers are Je Bradetich
and Diana Gannett.
PAUL SHARPE
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
2024
UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
AWARD RECIPIENT
Photo by G. Allen Aycock
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Brian Cole Chancellor
Patrick J. Sims Executive Vice Chancellor
and Provost
Jim DeCristo Vice Chancellor for
Economic Development and Chief of Sta
Wendy Emerson Vice Chancellor for
Finance and Administration
Lissy Garrison Vice Chancellor for Advancement
David Harrison Vice Chancellor for
Institutional Integrity and General Counsel
Kory P. Kelly Vice Chancellor for
Strategic Communications
Karen Beres Vice Provost and Dean of
Academic Aairs
Laurel Donley Vice Provost of Student Aairs
B. Afeni McNeely Cobham Associate Vice Chancellor
and Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
and Belonging
Kevin Bitterman Executive Director,
Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts
Cindy Liberty Executive Director,
UNCSA Foundation, Inc.
DEANS
Endalyn T. Outlaw Dean, School of Dance
Michael J. Kelley Dean, School of
Design and Production
Scott Zigler Dean, School of Drama
Deborah LaVine Dean, School of Filmmaking
Saxton Rose Dean, School of Music
Rachel Williams Dean, Division of Liberal Arts
Martin Ferrell Headmaster and Dean,
High School Academic Program
U N C S A B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S
Peter Juran Chair, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Rhoda Gris Vice Chair, Atlanta, Ga.
Nia Franklin Secretary, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Jonah Bokaer Brooklyn, N.Y.
Jeery Bullock Roanoke, Va.
Eric Flow Winston-Salem, N.C.
Jerri Irby Cincinnati, Ohio
Charles “Ches” McDowell, IV Winston-Salem, N.C.
T. David Neill Winston-Salem, N.C.
Kyle Petty Charlotte, N.C.
Graydon Pleasants Winston-Salem, N.C.
John Wigodsky Winston-Salem, N.C
EMERITUS MEMBER
Thomas S. Kenan, III Chapel Hill, N.C.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Jack Sargeant Student Body President,
High Point, N.C.
D. Reid Wilson Secretary, N.C. Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources, Raleigh, N.C.
Sandi Macdonald President and CEO,
North Carolina Symphony, Raleigh, N.C.
LIAISONS
David Broughton President, UNCSA Foundation
Board of Directors, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Matthew Harris Chair, UNCSA Board of Visitors,
San Diego, Calif.
C. Philip Byers UNC Board of Governors,
Forest City, N.C.
ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP
Photo by Wayne Reich
School of Filmmaking, motion capture in The Cube, 2023
ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP
High School Academic Program, Citizen Artist Symposium, 2023
UNCSA BOARD OF VISITORS
Annamarie R. D’Souza Winston-Salem, N.C.
Jennifer B. Grosswald Winston-Salem, N.C.
Charlotte M. Hanes Independence, Va.
Matthew C. Harris ’94, Board Chair, San Diego, Calif.
John Hoemann Winston-Salem, N.C.
Jean W. McLaughlin Little Switzerland, N.C.
Shreita T. Powers Raleigh, N.C.
Timothy O. Reid ’93, Brooklyn, N.Y.
David Snider Charlotte, N.C
Liana N. Thompson Winston-Salem, N.C.
Victoria Threlfall Durham, N.C.
Judith B. Watson Winston-Salem, N.C.
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Amy R. Blumenthal Charlotte, N.C.
Nicholas B. Bragg Winston-Salem, N.C.
Malcolm M. Brown Winston-Salem, N.C.
Patricia A. Brown ’01, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Joseph M. Bryan Greensboro, N.C.
Julia J. Daniels Raleigh, N.C.
Frank A. Daniels, Jr.* Raleigh, N.C.
Martha S. De Laurentiis* Universal City, Calif.
Rosemary Harris Ehle New York, N.Y.
James P. Elder, Jr. Chapel Hill, N.C.
John D. Gates* Winston-Salem, N.C.
Eldridge C. Hanes Winston-Salem, N.C.
Thomas S. Kenan, III Chapel Hill, N.C.
Michael Pulitzer Stockbridge, Mass.
Selwa Roosevelt Washington, D.C.
Jackson D. Wilson Winston-Salem, N.C.
UNCSA FOUNDATION BOARD
David P. Broughton President, Winston-Salem, N.C.
McDara Folan Vice President, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Erin Adams Secretary, Thomasville, N.C.
Mindi Mueller Treasurer, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Scott Cawood Assistant Treasurer, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Stephen Berlin Winston-Salem, N.C.
Craig D. Cannon Winston-Salem, N.C.
Christopher J. Chapman Lewisville, N.C.
Jonathan Cochrane Clemmons, N.C.
Sandlin Douglas Winston-Salem, N.C.
Laura Beach Dugan Winston-Salem, N.C.
Doug Henderson Winston-Salem, N.C.
Shelley Holden Winston-Salem, N.C.
Robert L. King, III Winston-Salem, N.C.
Joseph P. Logan Winston-Salem, N.C.
Caroline Munroe Winston-Salem, N.C.
Stacy Petronzio Winston-Salem, N.C.
Laura Ramsay Winston-Salem, N.C.
Michael Rogers Winston-Salem, N.C.
Anne Sessions Advance, N.C.
Howard Upchurch Winston-Salem, N.C.
William Watson Winston-Salem, N.C.
Julie Williams Winston-Salem, N.C.
Meade Willis Greensboro, N.C.
Ralph Womble Winston-Salem, N.C.
ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP, Cont.
*In Memoriam
Photo by Wayne Reich
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
2024 UNCSA EXCELLENCE
IN TEACHING AWARDS
Allison George High School Academic Program
Michael Miller School of Filmmaking
Maria Serkin School of Music
Paul Sharpe School of Music
Mikhail “Misha” Tchoupakov School of Dance
Ann-Louise Wolf ’11, School of Drama
Aaron Willey High School Academic Program
Kim Zubick School of Filmmaking
RETIRING FACULTY AND STAFF
Craig Bradley Information Technology
David Godley Facilities Management
Brenda Gonza School of Design and Production
Terry Harmon Information Technology
David Jones Facilities Management
Pamela Knourek School of Design and Production
Eric Rimes School of Design and Production
Ellen Rosenberg Division of Liberal Arts
Lynne Stumpf Registrar’s Oce
Jack Waters Facilities Management
Suzanna Watkins Community and Summer Programs
Scott Zigler School of Drama
COMMENCEMENT PRODUCTION TEAM,
UNIVERSITY & HIGH SCHOOL
Kathryn McMillan Assistant Vice Provost
for Strategic Planning and Operations
Managing Director of Commencement
Julie Rundell Production Manager
Ella Colbus Lead Stage Manager
Arden Jakubovic Lead Stage Manager
Marissa Derrick Assistant Stage Manager
Timothy Duggins Assistant Stage Manager
Kiley Mullins Assistant Stage Manager
JerFilm Livestream
Natalie Shrader Director of Digital Media
Photo by Wayne Reich
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Our students have access
to world-class training opportunities thanks to
the generous support of many. For information
about giving to UNCSA, visit uncsa.edu/giving,
or contact Director of Development for Leadership
Annual & Family Giving Shannon Wright at
336-770-1427 or [email protected].
GRADUATES: You will always be a part of the
UNCSA community. For information about staying
in touch with and giving back to UNCSA, visit
uncsa.edu/alumni.
School of Drama, “As You Like It,” 2023
Photo by Allison Lee Isley
A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, School of Music, “Maria di Rohan,” 2024
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
1533 South Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
uncsa.edu
