SMTD Faculty Student and Alumni News: March 2026

Presented in collaboration with Meadow Brook Theatre, All Shook Up featured the extraordinary artistry of students and faculty from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at Oakland University. Inspired by and featuring the music of Elvis Presley, the musical ran Jan. 7-Feb. 1 and included OU students performing onstage and contributing to the production and creative teams.

From Jan. 15-18, Oakland Opera student artists presented a bold new adaptation of Alcinaby George Frideric Handel, transforming the classic Baroque opera into a glittering contemporary influencer mansion. Directed by Professor Drake Dantzler, the reimagined production placed Handel's lush score in a modern visual culture shaped by social media, image-making and digital performance, exploring timeless themes of illusion, control and desire through a contemporary lens.

In January, Musical Theatre students participated in a choreography masterclass with Nick Cortazzo featuring material from the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown.

OU Theatre invited audiences into a world where technology evolves from a tool to sustain human life into a force that ultimately shapes it. Adapted from the 1909 short story by E. M. Forster, The Machine Stops imagined a future where people live underground and depend entirely on a vast technological system known as the Machine.

Professor Deborah VanderLinde contributed to the recently published The Oxford Handbook of Special Music Education and Music Therapy, reflecting the scholarship and collaboration that define the faculty of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Distinguished Professor Emerita of Theatre Karen Sheridan directed Julius Caesar at Wayne State Universityin February.

Congratulations to the winners of the Oakland Symphony Concerto/Aria Competition, who performed in February with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra: Carlos Perez Hijar (trumpet), Jorge Palacios-Rodriguez (piano), Andrea Valenzuela-Lazcano (mezzo-soprano) and Mila Pitman (soprano). Additionally, Brandon Lemke won the Oakland University Bands Concerto Competition on marimba.

On Feb. 22, the Oakland University Percussion Studio represented OU at the annual Michigan Percussive Arts SocietyDay of Percussion. Students Wil Angliss, Conner Gibson, Nate Iott, Brandon Lemke, Donovan Marlin and Luke Voight performed in two showcase concerts alongside percussionists from universities across Michigan. Oakland had the highest performance participation of any university represented.

Associate Professor of Theatre Whitney Locher designed costumes for All Shook Up at Meadow Brook Theatreand is currently designing costumes for A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Several Musical Theatre seniors traveled to New York Cityto present their Senior Showcase for industry professionals.

Theatre alum Ash Moran appeared in Ghost Light Cabaret: Women Who Rock at Flint Repertory Theatreon March 4.

Students from Oakland University's Dance program recently participated in the American College Dance Association (ACDA) Conference in Athens, Ohio, where they joined dancers from more than 30 colleges and universities across the region for classes, performances and networking opportunities. OU was one of only seven institutions selected to perform in the festival's Gala Concert on March 9. The company presented Interwoven, choreographed by guest choreographer Christa Smutek. First-year student Avery Mattson enjoyed the opportunity to take a variety of classes and experience the supportive environment among dancers from many schools. Layla Sherman (second year) highlighted the chance to network and represent Oakland University, calling the opportunity to perform in the gala "a cherry on top." June Wallace (junior) appreciated studying with a wide range of teachers and meeting students from other universities, while Lexie Harvey (sophomore) enjoyed exploring new dance styles and learning from instructors she had not worked with before. Jocelyne Daly (junior) especially valued the camaraderie behind the scenes of the gala concert, where dancers from different schools encouraged one another. Nadia Howard (sophomore) found the experience inspiring, noting the opportunity to take classes in multiple styles and watch performances by other dancers. The ACDA conference provides valuable opportunities for artistic growth, collaboration and professional development for college dance students.

Three students in Oakland University's Ph.D. in Music Education program successfully completed their dissertation defenses. Kwamise Taylor defended Why Do They Sing? A Qualitative Inquiry into What Motivates an African American Ecclesiastical Community of Singers, examining how spiritual calling, cultural tradition, identity and community shape motivation within this musical practice. Nichole Mayes also completed her dissertation defense this spring, and Jason Rose completed his defense in Fall 2025. All three earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from Oakland University.

Assistant Professor Joshua Tomlinson will present his composition Splitting the Atom at the Electronic Music Midwest Festival at Lewis Universityon March 13-14, 2026.

Dr. Jeffrey Heisler and Dr. I-Chen Yeh, with collaborator Dr. Adam Estes of the University of Mississippi, premiered an arrangement of Jake Heggie's Full Circle 50 at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferenceat The Ohio State Universityon March 13.

The OU Saxophone Studio was also selected to perform at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, chosen from more than 500 applicants. The ensemble traveled to Columbusto perform for a full audience.

Theatre alum Caleb Alman performs Prior in Angels in America at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre(March 13-22).

Oakland alumni and faculty are involved in the production of Come From Away at Meadow Brook Theatre, running March 18-April 12.

Theatre alumni Kennedy Vernengo and Antonio Vettraino perform in Lucky Stiff at Flint Repertory Theatrefrom March 20-April 4.

Senior trumpet performance major Carlos Perez Hijar was selected for the second class of fellows associated with the Hispanic Heritage Awardsand performed with the American Pops Orchestraat the awards ceremony at the Warner Theatre. The program was nationally televised on PBSand honored Hispanic artists and leaders from across the United States.

Students Jalen Wilson-Nelem and Olivia Kiefer represented OU at the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles. "We screened our project and got to answer questions about the filming process, and also connect with so many creative people," Wilson-Nelem said. Jalen also received the George Sparks Spirit of Slamdance Award.. "The award honors someone who carries the festival's spirit and supports others throughout the experience," he said.

Musical Theatre alum Cassandra Svacha is directing I'm Going to Marry You Tobey Maguire with the Detroit Mercy Theatre Companyand also appearing in the interactive production The Jury Experience at the Gem Theatre.

Music education alum Kasey Julian ('21) was named to the 2026 Yamaha Music Educators 40 Under 40 list, becoming the first educator from Michigan to receive the honor.

Denetria G. Phillips booked a guest star role on Chicago PD, airing April 1. "Playing this role marks my first ever professional credit," she said. "It was an amazing experience." While at OU, Phillips took advanced on-camera classes, participated in masterclasses with Milena Govich, and served as vice president of the Theatre Board and president of Kaleidoscope, a student organization promoting diversity and inclusion. "Oakland does an amazing job of building friendships through activities, clubs, and events," Phillips said. She is also the founder of the internationally recognized K-pop dance team Infinity.

Professor Scott Gwinnell was recently featured on Good Day Detroitdiscussing the 10th Anniversary Jazz Jam at Aretha's Jazz Café. Gwinnell highlighted the role of jam sessions in building community and supporting emerging artists, including former student Olivia Van Goor, a rising professional jazz artist.