Selected Student Composer Profiles

 

Ryan Keebaugh (DMA, 4th year) is currently pursuing the DMA degree in Composition at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  Prior to his doctoral work, he studied composition with John Hilliard at James Madison University, William Averitt and Jena Root at Shenandoah Conservatory, and Libby Larson at the Interlochen Arts Academy.  Ryan earned a BA in music from Bridgewater College in Bridgewater VA in 2002 and a MM in composition from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester VA in 2004.  His creative endeavors span a wide variety performance media, from arrangements for high school marching bands to works for solo instrumentalists, dance companies, and high school and university ensembles.  Ryan has received commissions from the Nottoway High School Wind Ensemble, South Pointe High School Wind Ensemble, Bridgewater College Brass Quintet and Trombone Quartet, and the Lawrence Conservatory Wind Ensemble.  In addition, Ryan recently co–founded the Farbenmusik and Sound Innovation Publishing Company.

Jay Parrotta (BM, 4^th year) majors in Organ Performance and minors in Composition.  His compositional studies began in high school with Dr. Frances Thompson McKay at Levine School of Music.  He continued his study of composition at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America with Dr. Anthony Randolph and Dr. Stephen Gorbos.  Jay has received commissions from the Columbia Pike Community Chorus, District of Columbia American Guild of Organists, and Trinity Episcopal Church, Arlington.  He has premièred his works at the historic Calvary Church, D.C.;  St. Andrew’s, College Park;  St. Luke’s, Annapolis;  St. Patrick’s, Falls Church;  and Washington National Cathedral.  During his junior year at CUA, he was named a Fellow of the American Guild of Organist; in the 100-year history of the guild, the youngest individual to receive such a distinction, which requires extensive composition and orchestration skills.

Sarah Horick (DMA, 1st year), a native of South Carolina, holds an MM in Composition and an MA in Music Theory from Florida State University and a BM in Music Theory from Furman University.  Her works have been performed throughout the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe and on the programs of festivals such as Electronic Music Midwest, the New Music Forum 7th Annual Festival of New Music, Electroacoustic Juke Joint, the SCI Student National Conference, the Asolo Song Festival (Italy), the Schlern International Music Festival (Italy), and FreePlay 10: Listening Chamber, among others.  Ms. Horick has collaborated with a number of ensembles, performers, dancers, and visual artists, and she is currently working on a commission from the Hispanic-American Lyric Theatre for a new opera.  More info at www.sarahhorick.com.

 

Brian Rice (DMA, 1st year) has written pieces for orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, and chamber ensembles in a wide variety of styles.  Brian is currently attending the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where he is studying composition with Dr. Steven Strunk.  He has previously studied composition with Walter Ross, Carl Roskott, Joseph Del Principe, and Angela Jelliffe (BA University of Virginia, MM University of Redlands).  He was awarded with the University of Virginia, McIntire Department of Music Departmental Recognition Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Contribution, and elected into Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honor fraternity. His piece Triptych was funded in part by the Composer Assistance Program of the American Music Center.  Brian is a member of Phi Mu Alpa Sinfonia, ASCAP, the American Music Center, the American Composers Forum, and the College Music Society.