Arthur M. Fraser Award

Jaden Bowers
Bachelor of Music, Composition
Undergraduate Performance Certificate
Graduating May 2026

The Arthur M. Fraser Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Bachelor of Arts in Music or the Bachelor of Music programs with emphasis in performance, theory or composition. The award is given in memory of Dr. Arthur Fraser, chair of the department of music from 1963-1972, whose numerous contributions to music in our state included the founding of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra.

Robert Van Doren Award

Ellakyn Brinkley
Bachelor of Music, Music Education 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 
Graduating May 2026

The Robert Van Doren Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Bachelor of Music program with emphasis in music education. The award is given in honor of Dr. Van Doren, who served as professor of organ and coordinator of music education at USC from 1946–1978. 

Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award

Patrick Reindl
Bachelor of Music, Music Education 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 
Graduating May 2026

The Robert Pruzin Music Leadership Award is given to a senior music major who has demonstrated the most outstanding leadership skills in service, teaching, academic studies and/or music performance. The award is given in memory of Robert Pruzin, professor of horn from 1978-2013, and associate dean, director of undergraduate studies from 2003–2013. 

Cantey Award for Excellence

Miranda Ramirez
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Undergraduate Performance Certificate

The Cantey Award for Excellence is presented to a rising senior music major who best exemplifies excellence in scholarship (as measured by grade point average), musicianship (as measured by significant contributions to USC music ensembles and performances) and service (as measured by participation in school, university, or civic organizations)

Presser Scholar Award

Ellakyn Brinkley
Bachelor of Music, Music Education 
Undergraduate Performance Certificate 
Graduating May 2026

Theodore Presser, the founder of The Presser Foundation, had a passion for music education. The music publisher began his career as a music educator. When he created the Foundation, he committee it to “music education and music philanthropy.”

The Presser Foundation has long supported music majors at institutions of higher education. While the Scholar Awards program has evolved over the years, its focus of serving students has not changed. With that focus in mind, and based on the Foundation’s commitment to centering equity, the Scholar Award Committee has realigned the Undergraduate Scholars Award program.
The Presser Scholar Award celebrates a student who has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence and has exemplified diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice values. To be eligible, the nominated student must be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate music major at the end of their final year of study.

Madeline Fyock
Bachelor of Arts, Music
Bachelor of Arts, Lang, Literatures, & Cultures
Major Concentration: Russian
Undergraduate Performance Certificate
Graduating May 2026

Awarded: USC Outstanding Senior by the University of South Carolina

Christina James
Bachelor of Science, Music Industry Studies
Concentration: Record Label
Undergraduate Performance Certificate

Awarded: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship by National Fellowship & Scholarship Recipients

Joseph Wheeler
Bachelor of Music, Music Education

Awarded: Phi Beta Kappa Freshman Award by Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award

Marie Shenk
Bachelor of Arts, Musical Theatre
Graduating May 2026

This award is given to the graduating senior SAI member with the highest grade-point average. 

Sigma Alpha Iota Honor Award

Bailey Barefoot
Bachelor of Music, Performance
Graduating May 2026

This award is given to the member who has made significant contributions to her chapter and the School of Music. This recognizes a SAI member who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship, scholarship, and service to the local chapter. 

LeDare Robinson Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence

Jayden Taylor
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Undergraduate Performance Certificate
Graduating May 2026

The LeDare Robinson Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to one undergraduate music major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of music history and/or theory. This award is given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the personal, political, and cultural history in which music exists and also an interest in understanding the personal languages of music expression. This student will have the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed class work, research projects and/or performances.

LeDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic Excellence

Ísis Cardoso 
Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Pedagogy

The LeDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to one graduate music major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of music history and/or theory. This award is given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the personal, political, and cultural history in which music exists and also an interest in understanding the personal languages of music expression. This student will have the ability to synthesize this knowledge into intelligent, informed classwork, research projects and/or performances. 

John and Lucrecia Herr Award for Composition

Jack Estrada
Bachelor of Music, Composition

Will Byrd
Master of Music, Composition

 The John and Lucrecia Herr Award for Composition is awarded to an outstanding composition student for best achievement in writing original music. 

Cello Fund Award

John Koontz
Bachelor of Music
Concentration: Performance

Miranda Ramirez

Bachelor of Music
Concentration: Music Education
Undergraduate Performance Certificate

Eliza Tiszai
Bachelor of Music
Concentration: Performance

 The Cello Fund was created by former students and "friends" of the USC cello program, honoring Bob Jesselson's 39 years of cello instruction.  The fund is used to assist USC cello students in furthering their studies. The selection is made annually by the cello professor and the Dean, based on the students' creativity, progress, initiative, and/or for a specific project.

Christopher Berg Guitar Award

James West
Doctor of Musical Arts, Music Performance
Graduating May 2026

This award is significant because former students of Christopher Berg created the fund that makes it possible. This award is given annually to honor the undergraduate classical guitar student best exhibiting qualities of creativity, humility, perseverance, and improvement in their study of the guitar and musical performance. 

Music Industry Studies Squiggy DiGiacomo Award

Isabella Veal
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Major: Marketing
Minor: Music Industry Studies
Graduating May 2026

The MIS 'Squiggy' Award recognizes a student graduating with the Music Industry Studies minor that exemplifies the grit, determination, and tenacity of its namesake, Mark "Squiggy" DiGiacomo.  Squiggy has been a vital partner for the Music Industry Studies program since its inception, connecting University of South Carolina students to valuable career resources and opportunities.

American Musical Supply Outstanding Music Industry Student Award

Malachi Smalls
Bachelor of Science, Music Industry Studies
Graduating May 2026

The AMS Outstanding Music Industry Student Award recognizes a student graduating with the Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies who has shown dedication to and engagement with the Music Industry Studies program and the industry at large. 

Undergraduate Collaborative Piano Award

Caleb Taylor
Bachelor of Music, Music Education

The Undergraduate Collaborative Piano Award is awarded to one undergraduate piano major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of instrumental and vocal collaboration in the studio. This award will be given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the repertoire of other instruments and the voice. This student has strived towards developing and refining skills necessary for collaboration, such as the ability to lead, listen, and respond; provide musical cues; and communicate well with others.  Efforts at collaboration have been demonstrated in both the studio and performance situations.

Graduate Collaborative Piano Award

Moé Takamatsu
Doctor of Music Arts, Performance

The Graduate Collaborative Piano Award is awarded to one graduate piano major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of instrumental and vocal collaboration in the studio. This award will be given to the student who demonstrates great interest in the the repertoire of other instruments and the voice. This student has strived towards developing and refining skills necessary for collaboration, such as the ability to lead, listen, and respond; provide musical cues; and communicate well with others.  Efforts at collaboration have been demonstrated in both the studio and performance situations.

Ensemble Accompanying Award

Justin Hettlage
Master of Music, Performance
Graduating May 2026

The Ensemble Accompanying Award is awarded to one undergraduate or graduate piano major who demonstrates outstanding ability in the area of collaboration with a major ensemble. This award will be given to the student who demonstrates great interest in working within a larger ensemble and has exhibited the ability to effectively follow a conductor.  The student has demonstrated the listening and communication skills necessary to function easily and effectively in both rehearsal and performance situations.

School of Music Social Justice Award

Ísis Cardoso 
Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Pedagogy

Elle Senn
Doctor of Musical Arts, Performance

The School of Music Social Justice Award was established in 2020 by the Inclusive Excellence committee to recognize students who serve as an example to others through a commitment to social justice beyond the scope of their student responsibilities. Determination of the award will be based on contributions to the music community in the areas of equity, inclusion, interculturalism, and social justice. Contributions can include, but are not limited to, community engagement in inclusive and equity dialogue, education, and programming; implemented projects and initiatives that foster inclusive access, and social justice; and examined and/or modified current practices and policies impacting the School of Music or University of South Carolina.

Special Student Recognition

Fall 2025 Presidential Fellowship

Gabriel Newvine
Doctor of Musical Arts, Composition

The Presidential Fellowship is the most prestigious graduate student award at the University of South Carolina.  It is awarded annually to 10-12 outstanding incoming doctoral or MFA students. Presidential Fellows are from across disciplines and form an engaged community of scholars and an interactive network. They participate in innovative seminars and professional development workshops led by the Dean of the Graduate School and Director of the Presidential Fellows Program.

Miia Backstrom

Alana Brezenski

Drew Connolly

Chiara Crociata

Molly Damitio

Virginia Dunlap

Andrew Dunlap

Hillary Flowers

Jeremiah Frazier

Laura Hutchins

Shannon James

Ella Johnson

Miles Kehoe

John Koontz

Madeline Macry

Adrian Montero

Lucy Moore

Gabriel Newvine

Eleni Nicholas

Hannah Palmer

Miranda Ramirez

Elle Senn

Jason Sherrill

Claire Shirley

Gabriel Sill

Thomas Sunderland

Moe Takamatsu

Jacob Tierney

Eliza Tiszai

David Warren

Victor White

Charles Winston

Students

Ísis Cardoso

Zachary Cook

Kara Gingrich

Brianna Hale

Christian Kilgore

Agnieszka Lasko

Campbell McEntire

Onur Ozturk

Christine Powell

Frank Sanders

Shi Weiming

Faculty

Serena Laroche

Cherisse Williams