Performing Arts graduates recognized with 'Celebration of Excellence'

On Monday, Aprill 28, the College of Performing Arts will recognize graduating students for their exceptional performance during the annual Medallion Awards. Medallions are awarded to students who exhibit artistic excellence and academic achievement through their contributions to their programs and particiaption in college activities.

During "A Celebration of Excellence," award recipients will present excerpts of their work in instrumental and vocal performance, theatre, dance, music industry and music education.

Please join the College of Performing Arts in celebrating the 2025 Medallion Award Recipients.

The 2025 College of Performing Arts Medallion Award recipients:

Tyler Benson - Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Award
Choreographer, producer and dancer for the past three Rowan Dance Extensions showcases Tyler Benson, is the recipient of this year's award for excellence in Theatre and Dance. A double major in both Theatre and Dance, Benson served as the Dance Extensions president for three years, a member of Alpha Psi Omega and RU Hoofers and worked as Box Office Staff for the College of Performing Arts.

During his time at Rowan, Benson played Timothy Leary in Come Together on the Main Stage. He has also performed professionally throughout the region including Beauty and the Beast (Prince/Ensemble), NBC Today Show (Austin Powers Dancer), Cinderella (Dance Captain), A Chorus Line (Greg) and Truth in Time - Philadelphia Fringe Festival (Dancer).

After Commencement, Benson plans to move back to his hometown of Colonia, New Jersey to be closer to New York while he continues training and auditioning. Of his time at Rowan, he says meeting the amazing people that are part of his life is his favorite memory. "I have made friends that will last a lifetime and have made me the person I am today."

Eleanor Dishong - Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Performing Arts Education
Rowan Opera Company's Witch in the spring production of Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel," Eleanor Dishong is this year's performing arts education award winner.

Throughout her time at Rowan, Eleanor performed in the opera company's Fall Scenes program (2021-2024), taking on roles such as Florence Pike in Albert Herring , Micaëla in Carmen , Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance , Mallika in Lakmé , Berta in The Barber of Seville , Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro , and The Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier . She has also appeared in all of Rowan's spring opera productions, playing Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus (2022), performing in the chorus of La Bohème (2023), portraying Phoebe Meryll in The Yeomen of the Guard (2024) and finally, the role of the Witch in Hansel and Gretel (2025).

In addition, Dishong serves as the treasurer of Sigma Alpha Iota's Kappa Alpha Chapter, a member of Rowan's chapters of NAfME and ACDA. As a teacher, she instructs private violin and voice lessons at Mannington Music School and Haddonfield Music School. She has also worked as a student intern with the Rowan Community Music School and currently serves as the choir director at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Glassboro.

The graduate from Moorestown, New Jersey will complete her BM in Music Education this spring.

Olivia Frankenbach- Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Singing
Olivia Frankenbach of Lambertville, New Jersey will receive this year's award for excellence in singing. Seen most recently on the MainStage as Marian in The Music Man , she also performed in Head Over Heel , Raise Your Dam Voice! and as Candace in Phineas and Ferb: The Musical! She also was selected to perform alongside Broadway's Ali Stroker during her Marie Rader Series performance in December 2024.

During her time at Rowan, Frankenbach has been part of Campus Players and an e-board member for Alpha Psi Omega. For her senior project, she worked with her best friend Hannah Potratz to direct "The Newcomers' Showcase" designed to give first semester theatre and dance students an opportunity to perform when they first get to Rowan.

After completing her Theatre Arts degree this spring, Frankenbach plans to move to Philadelphia to audition for professional opportunities. She hopes to find work on a national tour or cruise ship so she can travel while doing what she loves.

Elina Nastas Galletta - Jacobs Music Award
This year's Jacobs Music Award winner had her first piano lesson at the age of three. Since then, Elina Nastas Galletta's love of music has flourished, taking her from her hometown of Chisinau, Republic of Moldova to Rowan University where she will complete her Master's in Music this spring.

When she isn't practicing, Nastas Galletta spends time with her two kids and dog. Her dream is to promote classical music to the masses and engage the community to instill a love for music.

In her time at Rowan, she says having classes with wonderful teachers like Davide Ceriani and her professor and mentor Veda Zuponcic were the highlight.

Valentina Giannattasio - Bryna G. Goldhaft Dance Award
Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Valentina Giannattasio will receive this year's award for dance. Giannattasio will complete her dual degrees in Marketing and Dance with CUGS in sustainable urbanism and Spanish this spring.

During her time at Rowan, she served as the secretary of Rowan Dance Extensions and Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honors society and was the fundraising chair for Rowan's Dance Team. On the MainStage, she performed in Making Good Trouble, Convergence, Head Over Heels, Come Together and the Faculty & Student Choreography Showcase and Exo-skin-esphere, which she says was a major turning point in her life and reshaped her perspective on dance and art.

"Valentina is an exceptional student who models intellectual curiosity and resourceful creativity," said Dr. Leslie Elkins, associate professor "She earnestly seeks opportunities to challenge and question established systems, expanding the range of what is possible."

Giannattasio is bound for University of Miami to pursue a graduate degree in sustainable business, and says that dance will always be part of her life.

Michael Meza - Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Music Production
Music Industry major Michael Meza is this year's recipient for excellence in music production. During his time at Rowan, Meza was a member of the MIDI club, Karate and Self Defense club and spent time volunteering across the campus, in between his time as a student worker in the music industry studio. He also works with the band "Signature" as a tracking and mixing engineer.

"Mike has an impressive work ethic. He produces music that showcases his strong abilities and his involvement greatly benefited the Department," said Mat Gendreau, associate professor and director of Rowan's music industry program.

After graduating, Meza hopes to "continue making cool art with cool people" and plans to pursue freelance audio work or find a studio or media company.

Brookelyn Moorehead - Phillip Graneto Excellence in Theatre Award
Actor, singer, dancer Brookelyn Moorehead will receive this year's award for theatre excellence. She will complete her BA in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Music Theatre and Acting this spring.

At Rowan, she is a member of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society and President of Campus Players where she managed events like Freshman Welcome and the Annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Cabaret. In the Fall of 2024, Moorehead made her Walnut Street Theatre debut in JERSEY BOYS.

When she is not performing, Moorehead can be found sipping an iced espresso, thrifting with friends, facetime her cat Boondox or taking a girls trip with her Memaw and Mom.

"Being at Rowan has not only shaped me into a better artist, but human being, and I couldn't be more grateful for everyone who was part of my academic journey," said the senior from East Berlin, Pennsylvania.

Moorehead signed with Hell's Kitchen Agency and plans to pursue professional opportunities in New York while completing her MST in Theatre Education.

Stefania Osorio Amortegui - W. Clarke Pfleeger Award for Musical Excellence
Winner of two solo competitions, one on violin and another on viola, this year's award for musical excellence goes to Stefania Osorio Amortegui. Born in Colombia, Osorio Amortegui came to Rowan after the pandemic to pursue a degree in Music Education. She previously completed a degree in violin performance from the National University of Colombia.

During her time at Rowan, Osorio Amortegui was a member of the Symphony Orchestra and worked at the Rowan Rec center. She currently works as a violin/viola teacher at Main Street Music, Play On Philly, Guitar Guild and Rowan Community Music School.

Osorio Amortegui plans to continue her studies to pursue a Master's degree or find a full-time job teaching music. She also dreams of traveling the world; her first stop will be Spain this summer to meet up with her family and celebrate her graduation.

Erik Wagner - Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in Fine and Performing Arts Award
Double major in Music Education and Spanish, Erik Wagner is this year's recipient for creative achievements in fine and performing arts. Wagner was the president of Rowan's chapter of the National Association for Music Education, a member Rowan's chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, Rowan Vocals acapella group and Phi Mu Alpha.

He also regularly performed with the Rowan Opera Company and Concert Choir, including this spring's "Illumination" Black History Month recital. Recently, Wagner conducted Upper Pittsgrove School District's annual Winter Concert and premiere his first choral composition, "Song of The Sea" at the ACDA Student Conductors Showcase.

Originally from Ocean City, New Jersey, Wagner plans to pursue a career in music education and hopes to travel to Peru to learn more about the Incas.

" I take this as a winning moment for musical students before me, with me, and after me, honoring the privilege to attend such an outstanding performing arts program." said Wagner of this honor.