Frost School students celebrated the end of the year and their classmates’ achievements at the annual Frost All-School Forum with cheers, stomps, and even some impromptu dancing.
The ceremony at the Gusman Concert Hall recognized outstanding undergraduate seniors from across the school’s programs, as well as two exceptional graduate students.
“The Frost All School Forum is one of my favorite events,” said Corin Overland, associate dean of undergraduate studies. “It is a time to bring the entire Frost School community together to celebrate the end of a successful school year."
Professor Dafnis Prieto warmed up the packed hall by leading the Frost Latin Jazz Orchestra in vibrant performances of two of his compositions, “The Happiest Boy in Town” and “So Long Ago,” which had the students whooping and clapping in rhythm.
Sam Kopec, an exceptional Music Industry student who juggled multiple internships, minors in Law and Communications, and playing clarinet in the Frost Symphony Orchestra and Frost Wind Ensemble, received the Outstanding Student Award for her program. Kopec, who was unable to attend because she was attending a GRAMMY U event for one of her internships, was also named the Overall Outstanding Senior.
One by one, each euphoric student was called up onstage to receive the award from a smiling faculty member in their program, as their fellow students clapped and whooped for each of them.
Composer Asher Lurie was named the Outstanding Senior for the Music Theory and Composition, and Morgan Welliver the Outstanding Senior for Music Therapy, with Jonah Schertz the Outstanding Senior for Music Education. Vocalist Brooke Lambert was honored as the Outstanding Senior for Studio Music and Jazz Voice, and saxophonist Derek Janoff for Studio Music and Jazz Instrumental. Ian Miller, who conceived and produced the “A Very Frosty Christmas” student album, was Outstanding Senior for Media Scoring and Production, and Amari Stewart the Outstanding Senior for Music Engineering. Logan Sandefur, music director of acapella group BisCaydence, was Outstanding Senior for the Modern Artist Development and Entrepreneurship (M.A.D.E.) program, and euphonium player Natalie Colegrove, a 2024 Yamaha Young Performing Artist, was the Outstanding Senior in Instrumental Performance.
Two graduate students were honored. Nicholas Tong, graduating with his Master of Science in Music Engineering Technology, was named the Outstanding Graduate Student, while Yi-Chun Tsai, who has completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, was named the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Music industry student Jalen Fertig was the 2025 Undergraduate Presser Scholar, which comes with a cash award given by The Presser Foundation to a graduating senior, chosen by faculty, who achieved an exceptional level of musical and academic excellence and demonstrated community leadership and service.
Singer Lauren Richards, the Outstanding Senior for the Vocal Performance program, ended the event by leading all the students in an emotional singalong of the “Alma Mater.” Afterwards, some of the winning seniors danced exuberantly together near the stage, celebrating the climax of a powerful four years at the Frost School of Music.
View photos and videos from commencement ceremonies from our multimedia coverage.
Read student profiles and find commencement ceremony info in our special report.
