Class of 2026 Spotlights
Riley Barker ’26 MM
Degree: Master of Music
Major: Collaborative Piano
"This fall, I will be pursuing more collaborative piano projects, specifically taking part in the McGill Schulich School of Music x Université de Montréal piano vocal arts residency program where I will expand my skills in opera, vocal coaching, and art song interpretation. I intend to use moving to Montreal as a springboard for an international career which takes me to Europe and beyond."
Rhiannon Hurst ’26 MM
Degree: Master of Music
Major: Jazz Studies
"Post-graduation, my plan is to continue performing and gigging throughout New England while finishing and releasing the album connected to my Fenwick Scholar project, Vanguard for a New Age: Artivism through Jazz. The project centers around the music and voices of women in jazz, inspired by Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards: 101 Leadsheets By Women Composers, and has combined performance, research, recording, and community engagement."
Mark Tipton ’26 DMA
Degree: Doctor of Musical Arts
Major: Collaborative Piano
"I will be stepping into the role of Assistant Chair of Jazz Studies at NEC, working with Ken Schaphorst ’84 MM. My personal projects include composing original works for jazz orchestra, which I plan to record in the near future, releasing my jazz trio's new album (currently in post-production), and re-releasing a handful of my previous albums. As a jazz trumpeter, I plan to continue to perform regularly in Boston, NYC, and beyond, collaborating with many inspiring musicians. I will continue to share my knowledge and experience with my students."
Joy Chu ’26 GD
Degree: Graduate Diploma
Major: Cello Performance
"I am going to University of Cincinnati College of Music for DMA degree in music. With a diverse interest in arts from classical music to rock and electronics, theater to dance, my life goal is to join an ensemble/orchestra, and be able to create my own music interdisciplinarily, play in other people's songs and shows too. I have already created two songs, which are a combination of classical cello playing and electronics, and would like to continue developing them to an album. With a background of biology and long-term injury, I also always want to start projects that can open up discussion in performance injury, and make clinical treatments more accessible to artists."