UTSA's Music Performance program has produced stellar musicians who have launched successful careers, won competitions, and have been admitted to competitive graduate programs around the nation.

Performance majors receive private training with a member of our outstanding faculty for their respective instrument or voice. Students also participate in ensembles and chamber music and present public recitals on and off-campus.

Not only do private studio sessions focus on technique and musicality, but they also address every day challenges of a performer such as performance anxiety, practice strategies, and injury prevention.

Students also benefit from opportunities to participate in masterclasses with world-class artists, such as David Russell, Allen Vizzutti, the Imani Winds, Chelsea Bonagura, and others.

The School of Music holds an annual Concerto & Aria Competition, where student compete to perform as a  concert soloist with the orchestra in the Spring semester. 

Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Music in Performance
  • Master of Music in Performance
  • Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy
  • Certificate in Performance

Brass Faculty

John Caputo

John Caputo

Lecturer

Trombone and Euphonium

john.caputo@utsa.edu

Steven Parker, D.M.A.

Steven Parker, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Trombone, New Media, and Coordinator of Music Marketing

steven.parker@utsa.edu

312-498-6047

Gary Poffenbarger, M.A.

Gary Poffenbarger, M.A.

Assistant Professor of Practice

Tuba and Euphonium

gary.poffenbarger@utsa.edu

Music Room 3.02.30

719-659-5498

Peter Rubins

Peter Rubins, M.M.

Associate Professor of Practice

Horn

peter.rubins@utsa.edu

Guitar Faculty

Isaac Bustos, D.M.A.

Isaac Bustos, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor

Guitar

isaac.bustos@utsa.edu

Alejandro Montiel

Alejandro Montiel, D.M.A.

Instructor of Classical Guitar

alejandro.montiel@utsa.edu

Keyboard Faculty

Tracy Cowden, D.M.A.

Tracy Cowden, D.M.A.

Director, School of Music

Roland K. Blumberg Endowed Professor in Music

tracy.cowden@utsa.edu

Ivan Hurd, D.M.A.

Ivan Hurd, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor

Piano Pedagogy, Class Piano Coordinator

ivan.hurd@utsa.edu

Kasandra Keeling, D.M.A.

Kasandra Keeling, D.M.A.

Professor, Piano

Keyboard Area Coordinator

kasandra.keeling@utsa.edu

ART 3.02.28

210-458-5323

Steven Lloyd, D.M.A.

S. Andrew Lloyd, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor

Organ and Composition

andrew.lloyd@utsa.edu

ART 3.03.02

Percussion Faculty

Sherry Rubins

Sherry Rubins, M.M.

Professor of Practice

Percussion

sherry.rubins@utsa.edu

ART 1.02.10

210-458-4867

Strings Faculty

Nicole Cherry, D.M.A.

Nicole Cherry, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Fellow for Faculty Success

Violin, String Area Coordinator

nicole.cherry@utsa.edu

ARTS 03.01.36

Stephanie Westney, D.M.A.

Stephanie Westney, D.M.A.

Professor of Instruction

Violin

stephanie.westney@utsa.edu

ART 3.01.36

Allyson Dawkins

Allyson Dawkins, M.M.

Associate Professor of Practice

Viola

info@utsa.edu

ARTS 3.01.38

210-602-1672

Zlatan Redzic

Zlatan Redzic

Lecturer

String Bass

zlatan.redzic@utsa.edu

Yi Qun Xu

Yi Qun Xu

Assistant Professor of Practice

Cello

yiqun.xu@utsa.edu

Voice Faculty

Jourdan Howell

Jourdan Laine Howell

Associate Professor of Instruction

Voice & Lyric Theatre

Jourdan.howell@utsa.edu

ART 3.02.08

Crystal Jarrell Johnson

Crystal Jarrell Johnson, M.M.

Assistant Professor of Practice

Voice

crystal.jarrelljohnson@utsa.edu

ART 3.02.18

William McCrary, D.M.A.

William McCrary, D.M.A.

Associate Professor

Voice and Lyric Theatre

william.mccrary@utsa.edu

ART 3.02.22

John Nix

John Nix

Professor

Vocal Pedagogy

john.nix@utsa.edu

Arts 3.03.28

210-458-5678

Susan Olson, D.M.A.

Susan Olson, D.M.A.

Associate Professor

Voice

susan.olson@utsa.edu

ART 3.01.38

Woodwind Faculty

Nicholas Councilor, D.M.A.

Nicholas Councilor, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor of Practice

Clarinet

nicholas.councilor@utsa.edu

Rami El-Farrah, D.M.A.

Rami El-Farrah, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Instruction

Saxophone

Rami.ElFarrah@utsa.edu

ARTS 1.02.10

210-583-1109

Sarah Wildey-Richmond, D.M.A.

Sarah Wildey-Richmond, D.M.A.

Lecturer

Bassoon, Music History & Literature

sarah.wildey-richmond@utsa.edu

Rachel Woolf, D.M.A.

Rachel Woolf, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor of Flute

rachel.woolf@utsa.edu