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WMU grad receives prestigious music fellowshipFeb. 1, 2007 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University alumna Amanda Quist recently was awarded the prestigious James Mulholland Choral Music Fellowship by the American Choral Directors Association. The fellowship, worth $5,000, is presented to one doctoral student in the United States each year. Quist earned a bachelor's degree from WMU in 2000, and a master's degree in 2006, both in music. Quist is now working toward a doctoral degree in choral conducting at the University of North Texas, where she is director of the women's chorus. She also is associate conductor of the Denton (Texas) Bach Choir. Quist was active in WMU's School of Music as an undergraduate, performing in the University Chorale and helping with Seminar, WMU's summer music camp for high school students. She says it was these early experiences that encouraged her to make a career out of music education. "The experiences of singing in such a fine choir and working with such amazing teachers opened me to see music in new ways," Quist says. "The choral program at Western is filled with people who are passionate about singing and making music, which makes it fertile ground for people wanting to grow in the art of conducting." After receiving her undergraduate degree, Quist served as choral director for Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian High School and as conductor of the Midwest Chorale for the North American Choral Company. She then decided to return to WMU to pursue a master's degree. Carl Doubleday, associate director of the School of Music, knew Quist as an undergraduate student, and was delighted when he heard that she had decided to return for her graduate studies. He was even more pleased when Quist was able to take over as the coordinator and principal conductor of Seminar's choral division, after the choral director at the time took an out-of-state position. Quist stayed busy as a graduate student at WMU. In addition to her involvement with Seminar, she also taught undergraduate courses for the School of Music, was conductor of the Collegium Musicum singers, and was assistant director of the University Chorale. "Amanda's work was amazing," Doubleday says. "Needless to say, we are very proud of her." Media contact: Tonya Hernandez, (269) 387-8400, tonya.hernandez@wmich.edu WMU News |
