Commencement from the Frost School of Music is a momentous time, as students finish four life-changing years of education. To get a better understanding of that transformation, we reached out to eight exceptional seniors – recommended by faculty - and asked them about their experience here.
Some common themes emerged. A warm and supportive community. Opportunities to try new types of music and learn new skills. Caring faculty who helped them grow beyond what they’d thought possible. Peers whose excellence challenged them and camaraderie encouraged them. Performing with major artists and in professional settings. Together, they reveal the many ways that the Frost School deepened these students’ musical passions and prepared them for the future. Their stories give us a glimpse of how the Frost School of Music is shaping, not only these students’ futures, but the future of music.
Camille Pastore - Contemporary Voice major in M.A.D.E., with minors in music business and theater.
The Scranton, Pennsylvania native, who adored Hannah Montana as a kid and music theater as a teen, always wanted to perform and write music. The Frost School’s Modern Artist Development and Entrepreneurship (M.A.D.E.) program was perfectly suited to Pastore’s ambition, teaching her not just musical skills, but the business and brand-building knowledge she’d need to create a career.
Pastore marvels at how much she’s learned, and how what once seemed like a fantasy, being able to write, perform, record and release her own music, has become a reality. “My musical knowledge and vocabulary have expanded vastly,” she says. “Frost has deepened my appreciation for every aspect, every chord, every lick, every genre, and every style of music.”
Fellow students made her better. “The most valuable lessons came from my peers,” Pastore says. But so did the faith her teachers had in her. Her music theory professor and keyboard instructor Dan Strange, chair of M.A.D.E., “took a really big chance on me, and saw something that proved I could be better than I thought.” Her vocal instructor Roxana Amed “completely transformed my voice and unlocked skills and potential I never knew existed within myself.” She treasures memories of writing songs for the American Music Ensemble, and of late-night rehearsals and performances with the Latin ensemble Café Con Leche (where she learned about Latin music and culture) and Miami Cuban exile legend Willy Chirino.
Pastore heads into the world with big pop star and Broadway dreams. But she also takes with her a deep appreciation for music fostered by the Frost School. “Happiness, joy, and confidence in music – that’s the dream,” she says. “Ambitious? Definitely. But I’m also sure.”
Gabriel Perez - Music Therapy major, with a minor in psychology.
Raised in Miramar in South Florida, Perez started playing the saxophone at 11, because his older brother had just joined the school band and he thought the sax looked cool. (“I still think it looks really cool,” he says.) He was drawn to the Frost School, not only by its rigorous music therapy program with its extensive practice opportunities, but the chance to enjoy traditional college life and ‘Canes football and basketball games.
He treasures the opportunities the Frost School gave him to learn from many kinds of people and programs. “Frost provides so many opportunities to meet, interact and collaborate with so many different musicians and individuals from all walks of life,” Perez says. He got invaluable hands-on experience at practicum sites ranging from a neonatal intensive care unit to hospice care for veterans.
Perez praises his music therapy professors as “some of the most caring and kindest people I know.” He exemplified those qualities in his work. Perez’s professors praised his dedication to helping others, driving long distances to perform in hospitals, or organizing a successful benefit concert with the music therapy club with the Phi Mu Alpha men’s music fraternity, where Perez was active. Perez says that fundraiser, which raised over $1500 for Ukulele Kids Club, a non-profit that gives ukuleles to children in medical settings, is his proudest accomplishment.
As dedicated as he is to music therapy, Perez also credits the many ways the Frost School expanded his world, from the close friends he made at Phi Mu Alpha, to performing in a music theater ensemble, to classes in conducting, music business, and even dance therapy. His favorite memory is performing in a choir in Carmina Burana, though he doesn’t consider himself a singer. “I was able to discover what I like and what I don’t, which helped me make informed decisions about my future career,” he says. Perez is headed to an internship at a children’s hospital in Utah, and hopes to become a pediatric medical music therapist – though he says he’s open to other ideas. “Whatever will make me the happiest!”
Izzi Guzmanv- Music Education major, with a minor in Education
Jazz trombonist Izzi Guzman grew up in Orlando, and although she majored in Music Education, she’s equally passionate about playing music – and the way the Frost School fosters individuality. “Frost welcomes any kind of musician, any musical tastes, and any career path,” she says. “Building ourselves at Frost means creating a community of mutual acceptance and collaboration across genres while embracing our boundless potential.”
She treasures that sense of community, and the way the breadth of opportunities enabled her to “create my own career path…. I don’t need to be restricted to one genre or field of music to have a successful and fulfilling career.” She found camaraderie and professional-level expectations that lifted her playing with the Frost Jazz Orchestra, composing a piece for their latest live album recording, and treasures memories of playing with Café Con Leche and Willy Chirino. She praises her education professors, who “always believed in me” and her instrumental professors, especially Studio Music and Jazz chair John Daversa, whom Guzman says “has shown me anything is possible if we make it possible.”
A leader at the Frost School, Guzman was honored with both the Overall Outstanding Senior Award in Music Education and Overall Outstanding Senior Award, and was on the executive boards of the University of Miami chapters of the National Association of Music Education and Sigma Alpha Iota. Her music education teachers lauded her for the extensive preparation and programming she did in her teaching classes, where she exuded a warmth and respect that inspired her students.
Guzman, who is in the Frost School's five-year B.M./M.M. program in Jazz Pedagogy, will remain one more year to complete her degree. But her dreams encompass both teaching and artistry. “I want to have a multi-faceted career in performing, composing, and teaching, as I love all of these musical areas so much,” she says.
Sammy Strent - Double major in Music Theory & Composition and Spanish
From Bethesda, Maryland, Strent began playing piano at age five, and continued in middle and high school with choir, music theater and composing. “For me, music was and still is something that is both fun and meaningful, which is why I love it so much,” he says.
He too was drawn to the Frost School’s focus on musical diversity, by “the ability to study and interact with multiple genres of music” – allowing him to study classical composition, but also play contemporary keyboard, sing in choir, and perform in a marching band.
“Frost has helped me to become a well-rounded musician, both in my music and how I market myself,” says Strent. “I was constantly presented with career options. I feel very prepared to pursue multiple musical outlets at a high level.”
Some of his most impactful experiences were in the Choral Studies department, where he composed a score for a competition that was performed by the Frost Chamber Singers. “The whole experience made me have a lot more confidence in my choral writing, and… inspired me to keep writing,” he says. He praised Professor Amanda Quist and choral faculty as “some of the kindest, most genuine people that I have ever met.”
Strent took leadership positions at multiple campus organizations, including being music director of Phi Mu Alpha and music librarian for the Frost Band of the Hour. He treasures the friendships he’s found here. “There are all these people in this tight community who support you and understand what you’re going through,” he says. “I am super thankful.”
Strent plans to keep composing, particularly in the choral world – but will also move to New York City, where he hopes to write music, play piano for shows, and more. “I am leaving open any opportunity that involves music, since I know that some of the best opportunities are the ones that cannot be predicted,” he says.
Julia Izquierdo - Major in Music Education, with a minor in education and certificate in vocal performance.
A Miami native, Izquierdo began singing in church choirs at age five. She was drawn to the Frost School by the possibility of singing classical, jazz and contemporary music, all of which she loves, and to make long term connections in Miami, where she plans to remain.
Her studies here deepened Izquerdo’s love for singing. Her voice professor Kim Josephson transformed her vocally. “My 18-year-old self would flip out if she knew what incredible progress I was capable of,” Izquierdo says. She credits singing with the Frost Chorale, led by Choral Studies director Amanda Quist, for teaching her “so much about what it means to pursue a career as a singer and musician.”
Izquierdo’s greatest inspiration remains music-making in community. Singing and touring with the Frost Chorale inspired her ambition to sing sacred music in churches locally and beyond. “I have learned that you can make a career out of anything you are passionate about,” she says. “Making music with other people is a sacred experience for me, and I want to continue doing it for the rest of my life.”
Izquierdo also loves connecting with people through music outside the spiritual realm. Among her most memorable experiences was singing the national anthem at 15 University of Miami sporting and other events; the highlight was singing the national anthem at Hard Rock Stadium on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Her senior recital drew over 250 people. “The love and support that I felt from my loved ones and others still makes me emotional,” she says. Fellow students challenged and inspired her. “Being surrounded by talented friends pushes me,” she says. “There exists a very strong sense of camaraderie between students… we really enjoy the process of collaboration.”
Izquierdo will remain at the Frost School to earn a Master of Music in vocal performance, and hopes to someday start her own community choir to propagate sacred music in Miami.
Jonathan Lonstein - Major in Media Scoring and Production
From Los Angeles, Lonstein began writing songs in middle school. After his parents suggested he make a song for his Bar Mitzvah, he was regularly writing, singing and producing. He was drawn to the Frost School not just by its first-rate quality, but Miami weather and University of Miami campus life.
The small classes and opportunities to collaborate with other students added to the skills he developed in his primary classes in music production and songwriting in the Media Scoring and Production program. “I got to experience what it’s like to be around other musicians my age, and to produce, write and collaborate with all styles and genres,” he says. “Frost made me confident that this is what I want to do.”
His professors were both encouraging - “I never felt embarrassed to ask a question,” Lonstein says – and demanding – “Even when my professors thought I did a good job on an assignment, they would always tell me how I could improve it further.”
Lonstein plans to continue creating and collaborating on music in either Miami or L.A.
Jordan Chesebrough - Major in Music Business and Entertainment and Contemporary Keyboard Principal
The Monmouth, New Jersey native started playing in bands as a kid. “I always had a passion for making music with others,” Chesebrough says. He was drawn to the Frost School as the best place to improve his musicianship and his knowledge of the music industry – as well as the Miami weather and traditional campus experience at the University of Miami; he’s a big sports fan, and loved attending ‘Canes football and basketball games.
Chesebrough earned an almost perfect GPA in the Music Industry program, while distinguishing himself with internships and leadership. He was president of the 200-member student Music Industry Association, organizing students to attend SXSW (one of his favorite Frost experiences); interned at the Recording Academy’s Florida chapter in 2022 and served as the Grammy U campus ambassador.
Chesebrough says he’s been transformed by the breadth, depth and excellence of his studies at the Frost School. “Frost’s holistic educational approach has left me with a wide range of knowledge and confidence across many sectors of the music industry,” he says. Student camaraderie also played a big role. “Being surrounded by and working with so many talented peers was highly motivating and inspiring,” he says. Chesebrough is seeking a job in the music industry, primarily in marketing and brand partnerships, but also hopes to continue creating and performing music.
Edgar Byars - Major in Instrumental Performance, Jazz Saxophone
From Cincinnati, Ohio, Byars began playing saxophone in his middle and high school bands, where his private teacher recommended the Frost School. His skills have earned him the nickname “Shredgar” from his fellow students in the Studio Music and Jazz program. Byars loved playing with jazz greats Chucho Valdés and Christian McBride, and going on a mini-tour with the Frost Jazz Orchestra. “The Frost School has put me around like-minded individuals who are all interested in the same career,” he says. “It has also given me the resources and teachers I needed to succeed.” He plans to stay and pursue a Master’s degree and to be the Jazz Saxophone Teaching Assistant.
