News Archive

photo of the UMKC Roo statue on a bright sunny day

UMKC Releases 2025 Spring Dean’s List

More than 1,900 students recognized
Jul 07, 2025

Conservatory Graduate Earns Fulbright Grant to Study in Austria

Composer Ian Yeonchan Chung to study music composition
Jun 13, 2025

Charlie Shields, Tim Cowden, Melissa Douglas, Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Mark Alford, Quinton Lucas, Frank White and Justice Horn pose for a photo in front of a lit-up UMKC R1 sign.

Kansas City Celebrates UMKC Carnegie R1 Status at Union Station

Community leaders came together to celebrate impact research milestone will have for region
May 28, 2025

Two graduates stand and smile in front of the stage at T-Mobile Center

UMKC Celebrates May 2025 Commencement

University confers more than 2,600 degrees
May 17, 2025

Photo collage featuring three rows of headshots of each student honoree

Graduating Students Named Dean of Students Honor Recipients

22 are recognized for their outstanding academics, leadership and service
May 15, 2025

Rendering of future Conservatory space, a clean, modern white addition to Olson Performing Arts Center, a brick building

UMKC Publicly Announces Campaign For Conservatory Expansion

New, updated facilities to provide greater opportunities for students and community
Apr 29, 2025

UMKC Celebrates Outstanding Faculty Achievements

2025 event at Linda Hall Library recognizes research and scholarship, teaching and mentorship, engagement, service and leadership
Apr 09, 2025

Two dancers crouch down while balancing a third on their knees; the third dancer reaches toward the sky and all three are posed. Behind them, a large ensemble plays music.

UMKC Conservatory Crescendo in Concert at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Join UMKC student performers on April 29 for one of the most anticipated events of the Kansas City arts season
Apr 02, 2025

An Ode to Earth: Alum’s Path Combines Music and the Environment

James Mitchell is this year’s Spotlight Alumni Award recipient for his contributions to sustainability
Mar 25, 2025

School of Nursing and Health Studies staff awarded winners

UMKC Staff Honored at Annual Ceremony

2025 Staff Awards celebrate achievements and service milestones
Mar 19, 2025

Chancellor Agrawal doing the Roo Up pose at the State of the University speech in front of blue back drop

Five Top Priorities from UMKC 2025 State of the University

Chancellor announces School of Dentistry expansion plans
Mar 10, 2025

Gary Sutkin and Paul rudy sit on a couch underneath a UMKC School of Medicine sign on a wood-wall background. They both look at the camera and smile.

“What Did You Say?”: Operating Room Miscommunication and the UMKC Research Collaboration Working to Solve It

$1.9 Million Grant Funds Research to Study the Effects of Sound in the Operating Room
Mar 06, 2025

Carl Allen plays the drums, seated behind a drum set

Jazz Professor Named Jazz Educator of the Year by National Jazz Organization

Carl Allen won award for being an outstanding educator who represents highest standards of teaching
Feb 19, 2025

Moon shining over university walkway with students walking toward Atterbury and the kc roo statue is in as well

UMKC Releases 2024 Fall Dean’s List

More than 1,900 students recognized
Feb 17, 2025

Composer Jake Heggie Residency with UMKC Conservatory in April 2025

Jan 27, 2025

Thirteen Students Named Dean of Students Honor Recipients

Graduating students are recognized for their outstanding academics, leadership and service
Dec 16, 2024

Amy Robertson holds a very small baby while sitting in a hospital room. The baby's NICU crib and monitors are visible beside them

Lullabies to Help Infants Thrive

UMKC Conservatory researcher is helping heal premature babies with music therapy
Nov 13, 2024

Two dancers perform with a spotlight on them. People, shadowed, sit around them as they perform.

UMKC Conservatory Gala Raises More than $1 Million for Student Scholarships

This record-breaking year comes with a format change for the annual fundraiser
Nov 12, 2024

James C. Olson Performing Arts Center on the UMKC Volker Campus

KCRep and UMKC Relationship Entering New Phase

Current educational affiliation agreement to expire June 30, 2029
Sep 23, 2024

Chen Yi sits on a piano bench in her home with the piano behind her. She smiles for a photo

UMKC Music Composition Professor Honored Among Best of Contemporary Musicians

Chen Yi’s newest world recognition follows a career of breaking glass ceilings; overcoming obstacles
Sep 18, 2024

Tori Venske stands in the lobby of Olson Performing Arts Center, under a sign that says UMKC Conservatory. She holds up a sign that says "Making my mark through music at UMKC" and one hand in a Roo Up gesture

Military Band is Next Stop for UMKC Music Alumna from Oklahoma

Tori Venske credits UMKC for preparing her for a future of service and leadership
Aug 07, 2024

Black box theatre transformed into Sound Mandala, with black sound-dampening curtains lining the walls and dozens of speakers built into them

Sound Mandala Introduces New Way To Be Immersed in Audio

A true surround sound system, dozens of speakers line the walls for a unique listening experience
Jul 15, 2024

UMKC a Top Choice for 2024 Hispanic Development Fund Scholarship Recipients

Campus event at Henry W. Bloch School of Management honors hundreds
May 31, 2024

The Conservatory Welcomes New Assistant Professor of Digital and Immersive Media

May 22, 2024

Close-up photo of Beth Christensen smiling while sitting on bench in front of piano

Student Bridges Generational Divide With Music

Piano student broadens horizons and creates lasting friendships while living in senior facility
Apr 29, 2024

Undergraduate Student Research Highlighted at Missouri State Capitol

UMKC students presented their research on hearing loss, ACL injuries, music complexities and more
Apr 15, 2024

Dr. Ken Lidge Retires from the Conservatory

Apr 11, 2024

Conservatory Welcomes Joshua Taylor to the Division of Theatre

Apr 11, 2024

22 people stand on stage, many holding awards they won at Faculty Recognition

UMKC Recognizes Outstanding Faculty Achievements

Annual Faculty Awards honor excellence in teaching, leadership, research and more
Apr 04, 2024

The Conservatory Welcomes Brianne Taylor, Assistant Professor of Voice

Apr 04, 2024

Conservatory Welcomes Dr. Seokho Park, Assistant Professor of Voice

Mar 28, 2024

Conservatory Announces New Assistant Professor of Flute, Dr. Terri Sanchez

Mar 22, 2024

Conservatory Appoints Sean Chen as Jack Strandberg/Missouri Endowed Professor of Piano

Mar 21, 2024

PRISM Quartet Unveils Third Album in its Colossal Heritage/Evolution commissioning project HERITAGE/EVOLUTION, Volume 3

Mar 21, 2024

Conservatory Doctoral Candidate Yunfei Lei Selected as Composer Fellow for "Come as You are"

Mar 21, 2024

Jonathan Feldman to Host Open Piano Masterclasses

Mar 21, 2024

Jeremy Smith Joins Conservatory Theatre Department

Mar 19, 2024

UMKC conservatory alumna and past graduate assistance fund recipient receives standing ovation after giving her remarks

Women’s Council Helps Generations of Women Fulfill Their Dreams at UMKC

More than $98,000 awarded to 69 recipients to support post-graduate work
Mar 15, 2024

Three Faculty Fellows to Offer Inclusive Opportunities for Excellence

Faculty are from the Conservatory and Humanities and Social Sciences
Mar 04, 2024

Join Us for Music Therapy's 50th Anniversary!

Jan 29, 2024

Chen Yi Selected for Fromm Music Foundation Commission Recipient

Jan 29, 2024

New Assistant Professor of Trumpet: Dr. Matthew Vangjel

Jan 17, 2024

Professor Zhou Long’s Composition Performed at the 2023 Seal Bay Festival

Dec 06, 2023

Roslinde Rivera stands smiling in the back of Starlight's seating area with rows of dark green chairs and the Starlight stage behind her.

Starlight Internship Starts UMKC Conservatory Student Off on a High Note

Kansas City’s outdoor/indoor performing arts venue was the opening number for a career in arts marketing
Dec 05, 2023

UMKC Recognizes Outstanding Alumni for the 2024 Alumni Awards

14 alumni and one family were honored April 5
Nov 09, 2023

Epperson House on a sunny, clear day with trees turning for fall and a burst of sun behind the home.

A Rare Look Inside UMKC Epperson House

The historic building is said to have a haunted past
Oct 31, 2023

The Orchestra Now Celebrates the Music of Chen Yi and Zhou Long - NYC

Sep 29, 2023

Beth Christensen talking with female news anchr

‘An amazing opportunity’: UMKC student calls senior living community home

Sep 25, 2023

UMKC student Antwone Moore and Aaron Sizemore

Sizemore Scholarship, Instrument Donation Keep Music Playing

UMKC Conservatory students benefit from family’s generous gifts
Aug 08, 2023

Dr. Jennifer Sengin joins the UMKC Conservatory faculty in August

Jul 21, 2023

Taylor Swift Eras Tour, Lizzo Are Part of This UMKC Dance Alum's Resume

Conservatory alumnus Kameron Saunders even had the chance to ‘make the whole place shimmer’ in Kansas City recently
Jul 17, 2023

Albert Suarez Will Join Us Fall 2023

Jul 03, 2023

Mario Raymond Joining the Division of Theatre

Jul 03, 2023

Side by Side

Student entrepreneurs champion the side hustle
Jun 23, 2023

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Stacey Harrison, Costume Studio Supervisor

Jun 06, 2023

UMKC Top Choice for 2023 Hispanic Development Fund Scholarship Recipients

Campus event at Henry W. Bloch School of Management provides information, celebration
Jun 05, 2023

Welcome Kurt Dupuis, Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet

Jun 05, 2023

Welcome Dr. Christopher Beach, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

Jun 05, 2023

Brandon McWilliams with costumes behind him

Division of Theatre Announces New Chair

It is to our delight we announce our new Chair of the Division of Theatre, Brandon McWilliams.
Jun 02, 2023

Composition Alum Yiqi Xue is ASCAP Winner

May 31, 2023

Composition Students Have Wins in MAP-IMC Competition

May 25, 2023

Conservatory Names Kauffman Award Winners

May 24, 2023

Thirteen students stand with Chancellor Agrawal and Provost Lundgren in front of a UMKC backdrop and smile

Thirteen Named Dean of Students Honor Recipients

Graduating students are recognized for their outstanding academic performance, community leadership and service
May 15, 2023

DMA Pianist Jihyun Oh Named Fellow at Music Academy of the West

May 05, 2023

Sophomore Chris Viermann and Senior Tinh Nim present their research at the Missouri State Capitol

Undergraduate Student Research Highlighted at Missouri State Capitol

UMKC students who presented are from the Conservatory, School of Humanities and Social Sciences and School of Science and Engineering
Apr 18, 2023

Jazz Grad Student Pete Fucinaro Invited to Prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program

Apr 13, 2023

portraits of Virginia Blanton and Yotam Haber

UMKC Music Composition and English Professors Win Fulbright Honors

Blanton and Haber to spend research year abroad
Mar 23, 2023

A row of roo statue trophies sit on a table

UMKC Recognizes Outstanding Alumni at the 2023 Awards Celebration

15 alumni and one family honored
Mar 23, 2023

Yotam Haber, Composition Faculty, Named Fulbright Distinguished Senior U.S. Scholar

Mar 16, 2023

Four students and a professor lean over a light green table. The table is covered with letter paper-sized costume illustrations.

Costume Design Program Named Among Top 10 in the Country

For the sixth year in a row, the program was ranked among Top 10 by The Hollywood Reporter.
Mar 15, 2023

UMKC Conservatory Named One of Top Ten Costume Design Schools by Hollywood Reporter

Mar 06, 2023

Jiaqi Wang Wins 2023 Missouri Composer’s Project Competition

Mar 03, 2023

Composition Alum and Student Chosen for EarShot Readings

Mar 01, 2023

UMKC 2023 Alumni Award Winner for Conservatory, Charlie Corcoran

Feb 28, 2023

DMA Pianist Yuefeng Liu Places First Prize in Clara Schumann International Competition

Feb 23, 2023

Composition Grad Student Jiaqi Wang's Work to Premiere

Feb 06, 2023

Carl Allen sits behind a drum set with drum sticks in his hand and smiles while looking to the side and playing

Jazz Studies Professor Featured on Grammy-Nominated Album

Carl Allen is the drummer on a record nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble
Jan 31, 2023

Composition Student Stephany Svorinic Wins Curtis J. Crespino Award and Patricia Brous Award

Jan 23, 2023

Keyboard Alum Manuel Vizurraga Wins First Place

Jan 20, 2023

Welcome Dr. Dan DiPiero

Jan 19, 2023

Alum Jiyoun Chung Wins Call for Scores

Jan 18, 2023

Composition Alum Hao Yin Gets Tenured Teaching Position

Jan 03, 2023

A graduate stands with her arms outstretched covered in blue and gold streamers, smiling with two other graduates looking at her and smiling

UMKC Celebrates 2022 Mid-Year Commencement

More than 800 degrees conferred
Dec 18, 2022

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz in Hong Kong

Dec 13, 2022

Composition Alums Siqi Wang and Yiguo Yan Win Internationally

Dec 13, 2022

Faculty Adam Larson's New Album Named One of 2022's Best by Downbeat Magazine

Dec 08, 2022

DMA Pianist Jihyun Oh Takes First Prize in Two Competitions

Dec 08, 2022

Cello Alum Ezgi Karakus Performs With The Eagles

Dec 06, 2022

Alumni Kowoon Lee and Daniel Shineberg Create New Duo

Dec 01, 2022

Incarcerated prisoners preparing to perform and compose music.

Measures and Bars

UMKC faculty bring music program to prison, inspiring hope
Nov 29, 2022

A Musical Legacy

Annette Luyben continues her family’s history of supporting musicians
Nov 29, 2022

A Key Decision: Faculty Journey to Select New Steinway Pianos

Generosity from donors enables the UMKC Conservatory to expand their Keyboard Area
Nov 29, 2022

Thomas Rosenkranz to perform at National Concert Hall in Taiwan

Nov 28, 2022

Conservatory Jazz Alum Hermon Mehari Releases New Album

Nov 21, 2022

Conservatory Jazz Alum Hermon Mehari Releases New Album

Nov 21, 2022

Paul Rudy making and sculpting sound in a studio.

The High Priest of Sound

The fine-tuned eccentricities of Paul Rudy.
Nov 17, 2022

Professor Yotam Haber, wearing a dark shirt, leans over a dark wood desk with papers on it. A glowing lamp is to his left.

Conservatory Professor Awarded Commission from Chamber Music America

Yotam Haber wins $15,000 to write a major new work
Nov 15, 2022

Former Alumnus of the Year Endows Two New Scholarships

Conservatory graduate Douglas Enderle makes surprise announcement at Crescendo reception
Nov 08, 2022

UMKC Conservatory Alumni Award Winners 2023

Nov 08, 2022

Crescendo Raises More Than $650,000 for Student Scholarships

Annual benefit performance is the Conservatory’s largest fundraising event
Nov 07, 2022

UMKC Conservatory's Concerto Aria Winners

Oct 28, 2022

Composition Faculty Yotam Haber Awarded Commission by Chamber Music America

Oct 25, 2022

Jazz Faculty Carl Allen Performs with Billboard Award-Winning Group Christian McBride and Inside Straight

Oct 25, 2022

Composition Alum Aaryn Ricucci-Hill Collaborates on Multi Volume Album

Oct 21, 2022

Composition Students and Alumni Accepted to RED NOTE New Music Festival

Oct 21, 2022

Instructor, Student Pas de Deux

World-renowned professor mentors UMKC ballet student
Oct 14, 2022

Jazz and Business Student Tate Berry Wins Student Entrepreneur of the Year From UMKC Bloch School

Oct 13, 2022

UMKC Faculty Earn Promotion and Tenure Appointments

Board of Curators selects two faculty members to receive Curators’ Distinguished Professorship, the university’s highest academic honor
Oct 06, 2022

Composition Alum James Eakin Wins American Prize in Composition 2022

Oct 06, 2022

Luis Viquez, Conducting Alum, Has 2023 Latin Grammy Nomination

Sep 26, 2022

Musicology Faculty Stewart Duncan Publishes New Article

Sep 23, 2022

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Composer/Artist Raven Chacon Speaks with Conservatory Students

Sep 22, 2022

Sharing the Life-Changing Power of Music

Doctoral student En-Ting Hsu is helping Kansas City children embrace her art
Sep 07, 2022

Composition Alum and Student Are International Winners

Aug 16, 2022

Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and UM System President Mun Choi enjoyed the festivities at the Henry Bloch birthday centennial celebration

In Case You Missed It: Top UMKC News Stories from Summer 2022

From academic realignment to new student-focused partnerships and more, it's been a busy summer on our campuses
Aug 12, 2022

Alum Derek Jenkins Wins International Competition

Aug 09, 2022

Saxophonist Bobby Watson to Release New Album “Back Home in Kansas City” on Oct. 7th, 2022

The Urban Music Scene reviews "Back Home in Kansas City" due out October 7 on Smoke Sessions Records
Aug 08, 2022

DMA Piano Student Yuefeng Liu Places Third in International Piano Competition

Aug 08, 2022

Conservatory Alum Jawole Willa Jo Zollar Wins Gish Award

Aug 04, 2022

UMKC Conservatory Recipients of 2022 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards

Jul 08, 2022

Alum Bryan Pinkall Named Director of Kansas State University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Jul 08, 2022

Composition Faculty Yotam Haber Wins Henri Lazarof International Commission Prize

Jun 28, 2022

Welcome Ana Belen Cobos, Instructor and Costume Studio Supervisor

Jun 23, 2022

Welcome Greer Gerni, Assistant Teaching Professor of Theatre

Jun 22, 2022

Welcome Stewart Duncan, Assistant Teaching Professor of Musicology

Jun 09, 2022

Dean Courtney Crappell seated at the piano

Meet Dean Courtney Crappell

New academic leader comes from Moores School of Music at University of Houston
Jun 06, 2022

2022 UMKC Faculty Recognition Returns to In-Person Celebration

Award Ceremony Honors Two Years of Faculty Excellence
May 19, 2022

New Arts Management Program Funded by $1 Million Gift from Theater League

Graduate Certificate in Performing Arts Management prepares next generation of leaders for performing arts organizations
May 18, 2022

Conservatory Names 2022 Kauffman Award Winners

May 17, 2022

Matheus Cruz, Choral Conducting Student, Accepted to Master Class

May 11, 2022

Vocal and Conducting Student Cameron Rolling Selected as Scholar

May 11, 2022

Chancellor's Competition Winner 2022 Is Jonathon Nickell

May 11, 2022

Conservatory Student Zane Brown Receives Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award

May 10, 2022

Keyboard Faculty Christopher Madden Publishes New Book

May 09, 2022

Black and white portrait of Thomas Rosenkranz, pictured from the chest up, smiles at the camera.

Conservatory Professor Receives Fulbright Scholar Award

Thomas Rosenkranz headed to Taiwan
May 06, 2022

Shea O'Connor explains her research to an attendee

Students Recognized for Excellence in Undergraduate Research

Work from variety of disciplines showcased at annual symposium
May 05, 2022

Alumni awards shaped like kangaroos are lined up on a table

Outstanding Alumni Recognized at 2022 Alumni Awards Celebration

Sixteen alumni and one family were honored at the April event
May 02, 2022

Saxophone Senior Colton James Named Winner of The Missouri Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition

May 01, 2022

Saxophone Quartet Chosen to Compete in Fischoff Competition

May 01, 2022

Rendering of new Grant Hall recital hall space - shows stage with empty recital hall seats

Conservatory Facilities to Receive Facelift this Summer

Recital and rehearsal spaces will get improved soundproofing and technology
Apr 21, 2022

Starlight to Spotlight

UMKC alumna Joy Franz (B.M. '64) has graced stages worldwide
Apr 18, 2022

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz Named Fulbright Scholar

Apr 18, 2022

Composition Alum Yizhang Liu Wins Second Prize in MaestrosVision Awards

Apr 15, 2022

Conservatory Professor Named a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow

Gary Abbott, Professor of Dance, was honored with a Guggenheim Fellowship for choreography
Apr 13, 2022

President Mun Y. Choi and UMKC student Michael Kuehn at a poster board

Undergraduate Research Symposium Returns to State Capitol

Students conduct research on cancer, jazz, earthquakes and more
Apr 12, 2022

Composition Student Yunfei Li Has Work in Festival

Apr 08, 2022

UMKC Conservatory Dance Faculty Gary Abbott Is Named 2022 Guggenheim Fellow

Apr 08, 2022

Welcome Tempe Ostergren Assistant Professor of Ballet

Apr 07, 2022

Keyboard Faculty Chris Madden Recognized by MTNA

Apr 01, 2022

UMKC Celebrates the 2022 Staff Award Recipients

The awards recognize staff excellence and milestone achievements
Mar 28, 2022

UMKC Conservatory Celebrates GRAMMY® Nominations

2022 GRAMMY® nominations include Roo faculty and alumnus
Mar 25, 2022

DMA Conducting Student Anya Pogorelova Wins Research Award

Mar 25, 2022

Welcome Brandon McWilliams, Associate Professor of Costume Design

Mar 25, 2022

Welcome Aubrey Deeker Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Acting and Director of Undergraduate Theatre Training

Mar 25, 2022

Piano Student Crystal Jiang Wins Naftzger Young Artists Competition

Mar 22, 2022

Alum Robin Christie Named KMEA Teacher of the Year

Mar 21, 2022

theatre student with elaborate dress on model

Conservatory Costume Design Named Among Top 10 Programs

The program was ranked by The Hollywood Reporter
Mar 14, 2022

Welcome Trombonist Marcus Lewis as Assistant Professor

Mar 11, 2022

Hieu Bui from the shoulders up, standing in front of an orange background and looking at camera

Theatre Student Earns National Playwriting Recognition

Hieu Bui is a national semi-finalist in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival playwriting competition
Mar 10, 2022

Conservatory Professor’s Concert Highlighted by Iowa Television Station

UMKC Professor and Chinese-American Chen Yi’s concert was called “very and rhythmic.”
Mar 09, 2022

Vocal Alum Alice Chung Wins Met Opera Laffont Competition, Kansas City District

Mar 07, 2022

Composition Faculty Yotam Haber's Two St. Louis Performances

Mar 07, 2022

Vocal and Musicology Alum Dr. Lydia Bechtel-Edmonson Wins Award

Mar 07, 2022

UMKC Conservatory Partners with 91.9 Classical KC

Mar 02, 2022

Conservatory's New Podcast

Mar 01, 2022

Welcome Dr. Jane Sylvester Assistant Professor of Musicology, Fall 2022

Feb 24, 2022

Making Meaningful Connections Through Dance

Conservatory alumna shares how UMKC and Kansas City connections helped advance her career
Feb 23, 2022

Women’s Council Escalates Scholars’ Success

More than $2 million has helped enrich academic careers of more than 2,000 women
Feb 22, 2022

Theatre Alum Selena Gonzalez-Lopez Is Finalist for Prestigious Internship

Feb 18, 2022

Professor Emeritus James Mobberley, pictured from the shoulders up, smiling at the camera

Professor Emeritus Receives National Music Award

James Mobberley was recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for music composition
Feb 17, 2022

From Humble Beginnings to Renowned Composer

UMKC honors Xi Wang, Ph.D. with the Conservatory Alumni Achievement award
Feb 17, 2022

Dance Faculty Michael Blake Appears in HBO Max Documentary

Feb 14, 2022

Search Underway for New Dean of Conservatory

Feb 01, 2022

Chen Yi Is Recipient of the 2022 World Choir Festival WYCCAA 25th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award for Choral Music

Feb 01, 2022

Conservatory Alumni and Student Win in Missouri Composers Project

Jan 28, 2022

Conservatory Theatre Senior Hieu Bui's Play Wins in Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

Jan 26, 2022

Composition DMA Student Yunfei Li in The News

Jan 24, 2022

UMKC Professors Study the Impact of Sound on Operating Room Safety

Faculty donation leads to collaboration between professors in the School of Medicine and UMKC Conservatory to yield safer surgeries
Jan 19, 2022

DMA Conducting Student Anya Pogorelova Selected In Workshop to Conduct at Ball State University

Jan 19, 2022

Yizhang Liu Wins Award From Golden Key Composition Competition

Jan 14, 2022

Alum and DMA Student Yizhang Liu Is A Winner in Call for Piano Works

Jan 10, 2022

Composition Alum Devin Cholodenko Wins Kemner Composition Competition

Jan 04, 2022

Conservatory Keyboard Students Participate in Master Class With Jon Kimura Parker

Jan 04, 2022

A group of talented student performers from the UMKC Conservatory

A Performance Worth the Wait – Crescendo 2021

High flying dancers and vibrant musicians and actors took center stage at the 25th annual Crescendo Benefit Gala.
Dec 21, 2021

UMKC Graduates Headline Downtown Arena

New Roo alumni celebrate graduation in the heart of Kansas City
Dec 20, 2021

DMA Composition Student Yizhang Liu's Composition Selected for Conference

Dec 17, 2021

Conservatory Jazz Faculty Marcus Lewis and Retired Faculty Bobby Watson Win JAM Awards

Dec 15, 2021

Students and faculty on escalator headed up

Piano Student Manuel Vizurraga Is Second in International Competition

Dec 13, 2021

Concerto/Aria Winners 2021

Dec 07, 2021

Zheyu Crystal Jiang Wins First Prize at Wideman International Piano Competition

Dec 06, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Christopher Madden Awarded UMKC Entrepreneurship Innovation Grant

Dec 03, 2021

Composition Alum Sofia Rocha's Premieres

Dec 02, 2021

UMKC Conservatory Faculty and Alumni 2022 Grammy Nominations

Nov 30, 2021

KCUR Features Conservatory Faculty Who Are Up for Grammy Awards

The 2022 Grammy Awards are set to air Jan. 31
Nov 29, 2021

Conducting Alum Luis Viquez Wins Outstanding Young Music Educator Award

Nov 29, 2021

Composition DMA Student Leyou Wang Wins First Prize in Film Scoring

Nov 29, 2021

Vocal Alum Alice Chung Wins Sullivan Foundation Audition

Nov 19, 2021

Keyboard Grad Student Yuefeng Liu Wins First Prize

Nov 12, 2021

Composition Student Yun Li’s Symphony Performed at the Chinese ASEAN Music Festival

Nov 08, 2021

Music Therapy Faculty Dawn Iwamasa Is A Panelist with Renee Fleming

Nov 04, 2021

Charles Ives Symposium At UMKC Opens Thursday, Oct. 21

Kansas Public Radio reports on this three-day festival of the music
Oct 21, 2021

We Shall Rise

UMKC Dance brings work and art to the community
Oct 19, 2021

Composition Alum Xinyan Li's Concerto Has World Premiere

Oct 18, 2021

Composition Student Hao Zou Accepted Into Festival Workshop

Oct 18, 2021

China-ASEAN Contemporary Ensemble Commissions Work by Composition Student Yun Li

Oct 13, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz's Recent Engagements

Oct 11, 2021

Voice and Musicology Alum Victoria Botero Wins Cultural Producer Grant

Sep 30, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Karen Savage Is An Invited Speaker at Juilliard

Sep 29, 2021

Conservatory Jazz Faculty Carl Allen on PBS's Kennedy Center Anniversary Special

Sep 28, 2021

Music Ed Alum Nicholas Proctor Named Teacher of the Year

Sep 28, 2021

UMKC Conservatory Alumna Jawole Willa Jo Zollar Named MacArthur Fellow 2021

Sep 28, 2021

Conservatory's Ensemble in Residence Sandbox Percussion Releases New Album

Sep 24, 2021

Conservatory Faculty Receive Accolades in KC Independent Article

Dancing Into A New Era: Local Company Marks 30 Years of the Best Contemporary American Choreography
Sep 23, 2021

UMKC Conservatory Purchases Two Steinway Pianos

Sep 23, 2021

Conservatory Wind Symphony Commissions Work by Composition Student Yunfei Li

Sep 22, 2021

From Provincetown Banner: Felicia Hardison Londré

How can I learn about Tennessee Williams?
Sep 21, 2021

KC Independent Covers Crescendo

Nov. 12 is the date for UMKC Conservatory Crescendo Gala 2021
Sep 20, 2021

Conducting Alum Luis Viquez Awarded Honorable Mention

Sep 20, 2021

Alon Goldstein's Piano Studio Presents All 32 Beethoven Sonatas

Sep 20, 2021

Composers Du Yun and Gabriel Kahane Work with Conservatory Students

Sep 17, 2021

KSHB Highlights 'The Tempest'

Students in the Division of Theater at UMKC return to in-person productions
Sep 14, 2021

Piano Grad Student Yezi Chen Wins First Prize

Sep 07, 2021

Carl Allen Steps Into Lead Role at UMKC

KCUR: Meet Carl Allen
Sep 03, 2021

Jazz Studies Endowed Professor Carl Allen to Perform at Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Concert

Sep 02, 2021

Piano Student Chin Nukulvutthiopas Wins Prize

Sep 01, 2021

Composition Alum Bo Li's New Teaching Position

Sep 01, 2021

The Coterie Plans Season

KC Applauds shares performance details with UMKC Theatre students
Aug 25, 2021

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Teams Up with UMKC for The Tempest

IN Kansas City magazine highlights UMKC Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival collaboration
Aug 23, 2021

Why is Arrowhead the World’s Loudest Stadium? Design Is Only Part of the Answer

UMKC Theatre professor weighs-in
Aug 22, 2021

DMA Piano Student Ben Havey Receives Fellowship

Aug 19, 2021

Musicology Professor William Everett Receives Award

Aug 19, 2021

Two Conservatory Students Highlighted

The Independent covers upcoming music composition contest
Aug 12, 2021

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Sandbox Percussion as Faculty

Aug 11, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Sean Chen Releases New Album

Aug 09, 2021

Composition Alum Paul Berlinsky Wins ASCAP Award

Aug 03, 2021

Volker Brass Invited to Perform at MMEA 2022

Jul 30, 2021

Piano Student Manuel Vizurraga Places in International Competition

Jul 28, 2021

UMKC Theatre, Coterie Theatre Delight Audience

Dragons Love Tacos, best-selling children’s book, comes to life on outdoor stage
Jul 22, 2021

Chen Yi's Work Performed by New York Philharmonic

Jul 15, 2021

Conservatory Dance Alums Featured on America's Got Talent

Jul 14, 2021

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Daniel Fung As Assistant Teaching Professor of Vocal Coaching, Collaborative Piano

Jul 14, 2021

PRISM Quartet Releases New Album

Jul 14, 2021

Thanks, ArtsKC

Jul 13, 2021

Sax Alum John Wardlaw Wins Position with U.S. Navy Fleet Band

Jul 07, 2021

Reviews: Dragons Love Tacos Runs Through August 8 at Coterie Theatre

Reviews are in for Coterie Theatre production with UMKC students, faculty
Jul 06, 2021

The Hollywood Reporter Gives UMKC Theatre Another Top Ranking

Master of fine arts program consistently recognized as one of the best performing arts schools
Jun 24, 2021

Conservatory Students Are Apprentice Artists for Lyric Opera

Kansas City performing arts media highlights UMKC Conservatory students in Apprentice Artist Program for the 2021-2022 season
Jun 24, 2021

Things To Do Around Kansas City: Monster Jam, Styx And Return Of Children’s Theater

Kansas City Star includes the performance “Dragons Love Tacos” by the Coterie and performed by UMKC Theatre’s 306 Theatre Troupe
Jun 23, 2021

35 Fellows Chosen For Cleveland Institute Of Music Future Of Music Faculty Fellowship

UMKC Conservatory student is one of 35 fellows mentioned in Broadway World article
Jun 22, 2021

Dr. Andrew Granade Announced as Interim Dean of the UMKC Conservatory

Jun 22, 2021

Wind Conducting DMA Student Mark Bonner, Jr Selected for CIM's Future of Music Faculty Fellowship

Jun 22, 2021

UMKC Conservatory in Top 25 of World's Drama Schools

Jun 21, 2021

The World’s 25 Best Drama Schools, Ranked

The Hollywood Reporter again ranks UMKC Theatre
Jun 19, 2021

Conservatory Dean Diane Petrella Named Dean at Kent State University

Jun 16, 2021

Crossing the Bridge From Campus to Career

Meet five recent UMKC graduates who went straight from campus to the first stage of a rewarding career
Jun 14, 2021

Diane Petrella Named Dean of the College of the Arts at Kent State University

Petrella will remain in the dean’s post here through the end of June.
Jun 11, 2021

A Kansas City Writer With Schizophrenia Hopes Poetry Helps 'Extract The Beauty From The Ugly'

UMKC student Alexej Savreux has rereleased a collection of poetry that runs the gamut from broken hearts to complex physics theory.
Jun 10, 2021

Volunteer's $1.2 Million Gift Ensures Student Support

Endowment benefits UMKC Conservatory and the Women’s Council Graduate Assistance Fund
Jun 03, 2021

Conservatory Welcomes Ebonee Thomas, Assistant Professor of Flute

Jun 02, 2021

Conservatory Alumnus: Life As A Composer

Christopher Hart’s music career goes down many paths
May 25, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz Featured on Podcast

May 25, 2021

Conservatory Welcomes Noel Torres-Rivera to Music Theory Faculty

May 24, 2021

Conservatory Welcomes Mo Zhou, Director of Opera

May 24, 2021

Music Ed Alum Anna Worley Wins KSHB 41 Award

May 24, 2021

Conservatory Names 2021 Kauffman Award Winners

May 19, 2021

UMKC Conservatory professor Chris Madden works with a student at the piano.

Hearing is His Life

UMKC piano professor battles – and overcomes – his sudden hearing loss.
May 17, 2021

Commencement at The K: Unique In Every Way

Historic setting at Kauffman Stadium marks emergence from isolation
May 16, 2021

Entrepreneurship Innovation Grants Accelerate UMKC Programs

First round of funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation supports seven initiatives
May 14, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Sean Chen Appeared On PBS

May 14, 2021

Undergraduate Student Stephen Binondo Wins Piano Award

May 14, 2021

UMKC Composition Students Among Winners of 2021 ASCAP Morton Gould Composition Competition for Young Composers

May 14, 2021

2021 Dean of Students Honor Recipients

Eleven students recognized for scholastic performance, community leadership and service
May 13, 2021

Composition Grad Student Aaron Ricucci-Hill Accepted to Composition Intensive

May 11, 2021

A Tour of Sculpture Art at UMKC

Beautiful exterior art abounds on the Volker and Health Sciences campuses
Apr 29, 2021

Alumni Steve Landis and Luis Viquez Premiere Work by Landis

Apr 19, 2021

Summer Camps and Workshops 2021 at the UMKC Conservatory Academy

Apr 19, 2021

DMA Piano Student YiQiao Gao Wins Prize

Apr 19, 2021

Freshman Chindanai Nukulvutthiopas Gets Honorable Mention in Piano Competition

Apr 16, 2021

The Hollywood Reporter Names UMKC Conservatory in World's Top Ten Costume Design Schools

Apr 14, 2021

The World’s Top 10 Costume Design Schools

Hollywood Reporter ranks UMKC Theatre program
Apr 13, 2021

Conservatory Student Nina Cherry Receives Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award

Apr 12, 2021

From Cancer to Cool Roofs: Undergraduate Research at UMKC Produces Results

Examples available online all week
Apr 09, 2021

Music Education Student Jacob Furry In The News

Apr 07, 2021

Conservatory Faculty Alison DeSimone's New Book

Apr 06, 2021

Music Professor's Sudden Hearing Loss Restored At NKCH

KSHB, KMBC, MSN report on UMKC Conservatory professor's hearing loss
Apr 01, 2021

Conservatory Alum Lydia Bechtel-Edmondson Wins Thesis Award

Mar 26, 2021

Alum Hermon Mehari Has Program on KCUR, 89.3

Mar 26, 2021

Composition Alum and Student Win With newEar

Mar 26, 2021

Faculty JoDee Davis and Dan Velicer Perform in Cutting Edge Concerts New Music Festival

Mar 25, 2021

Conservatory Welcomes Leigh Muñoz to Bassoon Faculty

Mar 24, 2021

Latin Grammy Winner Finds Success Creating Bilingual Music

Andrés Salguero to receive the UMKC Conservatory Alumni Achievement Award
Mar 23, 2021

Welcome Carl Allen, William D. and Mary Grant/Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies

Mar 19, 2021

Composition Student Lucy Shirley Accepted to Festival and Workshop

Mar 18, 2021

Vocal Alum David Sanchez Performs on Grammy Winning Porgy and Bess Recording

Mar 15, 2021

Conservatory Welcomes Josh Jones To Percussion Faculty

Mar 15, 2021

Alum Charles Bruffy and Kansas City Chorale Nominated for Grammy

Mar 15, 2021

Renowned Alumnus Musician Hosts New Show on KCUR

Hermon Mehari hopes to engage listeners with old favorites and new discoveries
Mar 12, 2021

KCUR’s Newest Show Brings The Music That Inspires Jazz Trumpeter Hermon Mehari To Kansas City

New music show from KCUR: The Session With Hermon Mehari
Mar 12, 2021

Unstoppable Artists

Performing arts alumni find new ways to reach audiences during pandemic shutdowns
Mar 11, 2021

UMKC Conservatory Student Knows the Score

Student composition featured in film festivals
Mar 10, 2021

Composition Student Yintong Liu and Alum Jiyoun Chung Are Finalists

Mar 10, 2021

Composition Student Shengnan Cao's Work Is Semi Finalist

Mar 04, 2021

Conducting Alum Luis Viquez Named Semi Finalist

Mar 04, 2021

College Campuses In Kansas And Missouri Are Reopening

The Beacon looks at higher education employees and where they rank on states’ vaccine priority schedules
Mar 03, 2021

Theatre Alum Frank Oakley III To Appear in Amazon Prime Video's The Underground Railroad

Mar 02, 2021

Musicology Professor Andrew Granade Publishes New Article

Mar 02, 2021

Theatre Faculty Sadie DeSantis Tapped for Prominent National Organizations

Feb 25, 2021

Celebrated Dancer, Former Ballerina at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Joins the Faculty at UMKC Conservatory

KC Studio features Karen Brown
Feb 23, 2021

Composition Faculty Yotam Haber Wins 2021 American Academy of Arts and Letters Prize

Feb 23, 2021

Composition Alum Narong Prangcharoen Wins American Academy of Arts and Letters Prize

Feb 23, 2021

Music Ed Alum Martha Gabel Is Named President-Elect

Feb 16, 2021

Vocal Alum Liz Cass Featured in USA Today

Feb 12, 2021

Conservatory Celebrates New Scholarships

Volunteer-led 20 / 20 campaign exceeds goals
Feb 10, 2021

Piano Alum Kairy Koshoeva Wins First Prize in Russia

Feb 10, 2021

Conservatory Celebrates 27 New Scholarships

Feb 10, 2021

Composition Student Chun Ting Chan Is Commended Composer

Feb 08, 2021

Composition Student Yunfei Li Has Work Selected for Domino Ensemble

Feb 03, 2021

Acting Alum Maya Jackson In Digital Festival

Feb 01, 2021

Conservatory Faculty Zachary Shemon Releases New CD Featuring Conservatory Wind Symphony

Feb 01, 2021

The Coterie Teams With UMKC For New Production

Arts publications promote UMKC Theatre production
Jan 21, 2021

Johnson County Native Gets ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Inauguration Job As Joe Biden’s Stand-in

Conservatory grad featured by Shawnee Mission Post
Jan 20, 2021

Conservatory Alum Kevin Cerovich Takes Part in 2021 Presidential Inauguration Rehearsal

Jan 20, 2021

Conservatory Student/Alum Ian Lester Wins Mirari Brass Quintet Contest

Jan 20, 2021

Music Schools Struggle To Diversify

Columbia Missourian wrote about the music programs at UM System schools
Jan 17, 2021

Local Creative Arts Are Getting Creative

The Pitch reports on ways Kansas City arts organizations are partnering with others, including UMKC, during the pandemic
Jan 15, 2021

Composition DMA Student Yizhang Liu's Honorable Mention

Jan 15, 2021

Kansas City Theater Spotlights Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson And Other Motown Music

UMKC Theatre's virtual co-production is featured
Jan 13, 2021

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz Elected as Tholen Fellowship Master Teacher

Jan 12, 2021

Music Ed Alum Kealie O'Brien Selected as Outstanding Teacher

Jan 05, 2021

As The Pandemic Continues, Musicians Wait In The Wings

UMKC Conservatory student featured in Columbia Missourian
Dec 31, 2020

photo of Don Cheadle at home clapping in congratulations for the Roos

UMKC #Classof2020RooStrong Honored and Inspired

Actor and native Kansas Citian Don Cheadle delivers virtual address
Dec 21, 2020

UMKC Theatre Student Hieu Bui's Play Accepted to Festival

Dec 18, 2020

Composition Alum Xinyan Li's New Faculty Appointment

Dec 14, 2020

New Book About Composer Dr. Chen Yi Published

Dec 11, 2020

Flute Alum Virginia Q. Backman Releases CD Featuring Conservatory Composers

Dec 11, 2020

Composition DMA Candidate Shaosheng Li Named Director

Dec 10, 2020

Nick Petrella's Arts Entrepreneurship Podcast Highlighted by NAMM

Dec 10, 2020

Music Theory Faculty David Thurmaier Named Co-Editor

Dec 10, 2020

Music Theory Faculty Thurmaier and Belcher Co-Author Article

Dec 08, 2020

Conservatory Composition Alum Phil DeWalt's Work Selected

Dec 08, 2020

Composition Alum Qi Jing's New Teaching Position

Dec 04, 2020

Composition Alum Tatev Amiryan's Recent Accomplishments

Dec 04, 2020

Jazz Alum Jeremy Levy Nominated for 2021 Grammy

Dec 02, 2020

Crescendo 2020: An Event To Remember

Over $590,000 raised in this year’s fundraiser
Nov 24, 2020

Conservatory Musicology Faculty Alison DeSimone Wins UMKC Award

Nov 20, 2020

Music Theory Faculty David Thurmaier in U.K. Paper

Nov 19, 2020

The Surprise Discovery That Brought The Beatles Back Together

David Thurmaier's podcast featured in national article
Nov 18, 2020

Conservatory Composition Alum Jiyoun Chung Wins International Competition

Nov 16, 2020

Jazz Alum Hermon Mehari's News

Nov 16, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Students Benefit from Legacy of a Beloved Instructor

Grassroots effort leads to memorial scholarship
Nov 13, 2020

Piano Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz On Kansas Public Radio

Nov 12, 2020

Trombone Prof. JoDee Davis Releases new CD

Oct 30, 2020

Conservatory Faculty Nick Petrella and Bloch Faculty Andy Heise Launch a Podcast

Oct 30, 2020

dancers with masks practicing while instructor with mask checks on students on Zoom

Dancing During a Pandemic

Conservatory faculty and students adjust to changes in classroom and teaching
Oct 28, 2020

Whispers Of An Italian-Jewish Past Fill A Composer’s Music

The New York Times features Yotam Haber
Oct 20, 2020

Vocal Alum David Sanchez Selected as Portland Opera Resident Artist

Oct 16, 2020

Conservatory Faculty, Alumni, and Student Collaborate with Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Oct 16, 2020

Composition Alum Christina Butera's News

Oct 15, 2020

Theatre Faculty Logan Vaughn In the Director's Seat

Oct 14, 2020

Piano Faculty Sean Chen in Concert

Oct 07, 2020

Composition Faculty Chen Yi In the News

Oct 06, 2020

Anonymous Donor Pays for Music Therapy Conference Fees

Oct 06, 2020

Music Ed and Wind Ensemble Faculty Joseph Parisi's Busy Fall

Oct 02, 2020

Mid-Continent Public Library Allows Kids To Have A Blast With Zoom Chemistry Classes

Kansas City Star features UMKC student who is a Mad Science instructor
Oct 01, 2020

Alumni Reflect on Hispanic Heritage Month

Sharing traditions, resources and what the month means to them
Sep 28, 2020

Music Ed Alum Hailey Quinn's New Job

Sep 22, 2020

Music Ed Alum Daniel Craig's New Job

Sep 22, 2020

Conservatory Piano Faculty Excel in a Digital World

Conservatory piano faculty find creative ways to stay engaged with students and perform during social distancing
Sep 18, 2020

Composition Faculty Chen Yi's Active Summer

Sep 17, 2020

Music Theory Faculty David Thurmaier's New Publication

Sep 17, 2020

Musicology Professor Andrew Granade's Recent Publication

Sep 16, 2020

Music Theory Faculty Owen Belcher's New Publication

Sep 16, 2020

Conservatory Alum Patrick Oliverio's New Job

Sep 08, 2020

Conservatory Alum Philip Edelman Publishes New Study

Sep 08, 2020

Composition Student Lucy Shirley's Award

Sep 03, 2020

Dance Alum Caroline Meinert Named Artistic Director in Tennessee

Sep 01, 2020

Composition Student Hao Zou Has Piece Chosen for Album

Aug 31, 2020

Composition Alums Dylan Findley and Joshua Hey Are Barlow Commission Winners

Aug 31, 2020

With Computer As His Instrument, Kansas City Student Finds ‘Pathway Into Playing Music’

Conservatory student captures attention of local newspaper
Aug 28, 2020

Aryana Nemati-Baghestani conducting a jazz band during Bobby Watson's tribute party in February 2020.

Alumna Inspires Future Jazz Musicians

Multi-instrumentalist Aryana Nemati-Baghestani on her musical journey
Aug 27, 2020

Jazz Great’s Legacy Joins University Collections

Students create digital exhibit highlighting achievements
Aug 26, 2020

Conservatory Alum Ted King-Smith's New Position

Aug 20, 2020

James Eakin is Composer in Residence

Aug 20, 2020

Composition Alum Tatev Amiryan Is Winner in Competition

Aug 20, 2020

Conservatory Alum Elisabeth Boaz's New Teaching Job

Aug 18, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Theatre Faculty Logan Vaughn

Aug 18, 2020

Composition Alum Jonathan Booker's New Position

Aug 11, 2020

Conservatory Professor's Work Will be Featured in Gala

Yotam Haber won the Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music prize
Aug 06, 2020

Conservatory Alum Andrés Salguero Publishes Book

Aug 06, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Dance Faculty Karen Brown

Aug 04, 2020

Donor and Student Strike a Chord

Conservatory donor supports programs and people
Jul 29, 2020

New Ensemble Caters to Marginalized Communities

UMKC Conservatory grad, UMKC Bloch student featured by KC Studio
Jul 28, 2020

A student who presents as female wearing a blue T-shirt does the Roo sign with her hands.

What Are You Most Excited About in Returning to Campus?

Roos share what they’re looking forward to this fall
Jul 22, 2020

Conservatory Finds Ideal Leader

Diane Petrella was interviewed by The Independent on going from interim dean to full-time dean
Jul 22, 2020

Conservatory Alum Kade Allenbrand's New Position

Jul 22, 2020

Student Emergency Fund Success

Support for emergency funding keeps more than 90 students afloat
Jul 16, 2020

Composition Alum Jiyoun Chung To Teach in Illinois

Jul 16, 2020

Alum Dustin Cates' Recent Publication

Jul 14, 2020

Olathe South High School Graduate Named UMKC Trustees' Scholar

Kansas City's university awards seven for 2020
Jul 07, 2020

Classical Music Is Back On the Radio In Kansas City for the First Time In Eight Years

KCUR officially launches 91.9 Classical KC
Jul 06, 2020

Classical KC News Makes National, Local Headlines

Media coverage includes Yahoo Finance
Jul 06, 2020

The UMKC Conservatory performing at Crescendo, its annual fundraising event.

Classical KC: A New Music Platform for Kansas City

KCUR creates second radio station to provide 24/7 classical service
Jul 05, 2020

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz Stays Creative During COVID

Jul 02, 2020

Conservatory Conducting Alum David Blon's New Position

Jul 01, 2020

Conservatory Theatre Alum Frank Oakley III Stars in Hit Netflix Show

Jun 30, 2020

Marianne McKenzie and Freddy Acevedo perform in Dracula. Photo by Brian Paulette

Hollywood Reporter Ranks UMKC Theatre in Top 25 Again

Master of Fine Arts program consistently recognized as one of the best performing arts schools
Jun 23, 2020

Composition Grad Student Diego Rocha Wins New England Competition

Jun 23, 2020

Frank Oakley as Harlan Bixby in Sweet Magnolias.

Alumnus Stars in Hit Netflix Show

Frank Oakley III draws on his theatre training in role on "Sweet Magnolias"
Jun 18, 2020

Conservatory Composition Alum Kerwin Young's Two Recent Commissions

Jun 17, 2020

Conservatory Jazz Alum Hermon Mehari Releases New Album

Jun 15, 2020

The Best 25 College Drama Programs Around the World

Hollywood Reporter ranks UMKC Theatre in Top 25
Jun 08, 2020

Conservatory Faculty Lani Hamilton's New Publication

May 26, 2020

Conservatory Alum Garrett Rigsby's Appointment at UC Davis

May 18, 2020

Conservatory Alum Philip Edelman is Maine Music Educators Association Educator of the Year

May 18, 2020

Conservatory's Kauffman Award Winners, 2020

May 15, 2020

Conservatory Artist Certificate Student Aaron Robinson Wins Appointments

May 04, 2020

Music Theory Grad Student Alex Shannon Has Paper Admitted to Conference

May 01, 2020

Conservatory Music Therapy Faculty Dawn Iwamasa and Amy Robertson Present at Conference

Apr 27, 2020

As They Connect With Students Online, Kansas City Music Teachers Learn Their Own Lessons

UMKC teachers take part in program to help fund private music lessons
Apr 24, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Student Jacob Furry Receives Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award

Apr 22, 2020

Conservatory Vocal Alum Logan Contreras Appointed Artist in Residence

Apr 21, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Faculty Nick Petrella's Virtual Lessons Blog

Apr 16, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Faculty Alison DeSimone Has Article Published

Apr 15, 2020

Composition Alum Aubrie Powell Accepted to Grad School

Apr 14, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Faculty Andrew Granade Publishes Review

Apr 13, 2020

Conservatory Musicology Grad Student Lacie Eades Wins UMKC Award

Apr 13, 2020

UMKC Conservatory Piano Major Saomek Srithongkum Featured in Thai Publication

Apr 09, 2020

Students, Faculty Staying Together While Kept Apart

UMKC makes sure students who couldn’t travel home have musical instruments for practice
Apr 07, 2020

Lacie Eades, MM in Musicology Student Receives Grants

Apr 02, 2020

Conservatory Welcomes Dr. Jennaya Robison

Mar 19, 2020

Conservatory Performances Canceled

Mar 13, 2020

Dance Alum Matt Carney is Named Executive Director of San Diego Ballet

Mar 12, 2020

Conservatory Composition Students on the Move

Mar 05, 2020

UMKC Saxophone Studio Performs at NASA 2020 Biennial Conference

Mar 05, 2020

Conservatory Staff Jennifer Parker Burrus Receives UMKC Award

Mar 05, 2020

Swan Lake Challenges Conservatory Student’s Mental and Physical Stamina

Erica Lohman performs in one of the most recognized ballets of all time
Mar 04, 2020

‘Powerhouse of talent’

William Baker Festival musicians offer beloved composer and alumnus' work
Feb 28, 2020

Conservatory Alum Adam Fontana Appointed to SUNY New Paltz

Feb 28, 2020

Conservatory Alum Derek Shapiro Named to Post at Virginia Tech

Feb 28, 2020

Conservatory Dance Student Erica Lohman Performed with Kansas City Ballet

Feb 28, 2020

Bobby Watson's Inspiration in Life and Music

Watson’s father instilled love and respect of music and family
Feb 24, 2020

Composition Alum Kerwin Young and Next Level

Feb 20, 2020

Conservatory Alum Dr. Anthony LaBat Wins UMKC Staff Award

Feb 19, 2020

Composition Alum Stacy Busch Wins Charlotte St. Award

Feb 18, 2020

Conservatory's UMKC Theatre Again Named a Top 10 Costume Design Program

Feb 18, 2020

Graduate student L.A. Clevenson works on the finishing details of a dress.

UMKC Theatre Again Named a Top 10 Costume Design Program

Hollywood Reporter names UMKC to its Top 10 list
Feb 17, 2020

Masters Composition Student Lan Shi Wins Honorable Mention

Feb 10, 2020

Composition Alum Tatev Amiryan Debuts as Composer and Pianist at Carnegie Hall

Feb 10, 2020

Vocal Alum David Sanchez Selected for Carnegie Hall Master Class

Feb 10, 2020

Conservatory Piano Student Matteo Generani Wins Two Prizes

Feb 06, 2020

Conservatory Piano Student Zheyu Crystal Jiang Wins Prize and Performs Internationally

Feb 06, 2020

Trumpet Alum Jen Fox Oliverio to Teach at Oakland University, Michigan

Feb 04, 2020

Undergrads Kyle Connolly and Cody Young Present Original Research

Feb 04, 2020

Composition DMA Student Yunfei Li's Works

Feb 03, 2020

Composition Alum Jiyoun Chung Selected for Missouri Composers Project

Feb 03, 2020

Music Ed Alum Dominic Zanaboni Wins MMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award

Feb 03, 2020

Donors Strike a Chord with New Scholarships Honoring World-Renowned Faculty

Individual and foundation giving have common theme for UMKC Conservatory student success
Jan 31, 2020

Conservatory Alum Stanislav Golovin Is Vandoren Artist

Jan 30, 2020

Top 10 Costume Design Schools

The Hollywood Reporter recognizes UMKC Theatre program
Jan 24, 2020

Lauren Thompson with client Sofia inside Thrive Pilates

Alumna Helps People Heal from the Inside Out

Lauren Thompson draws on diverse background for unique brand of wellness
Jan 24, 2020

Music Therapy Alum Andrea Wentzel Dalton voted to AMTA board

Jan 09, 2020

Dance Alum Branson Bice in National Tour

Jan 09, 2020

Music Ed Alum Joseph Keeney is Outstanding Music Educator

Dec 20, 2019

Female student receives her degree onstage during mid-year commencement.

Celebrating 1,000 New Grads During Mid-Year Commencement

Class of 2019 graduates honored
Dec 17, 2019

Composition Student Hao Zou Wins Kemner Prize for Orchestra Composition

Dec 09, 2019

Composition Alum David Witter's New Appointment

Dec 09, 2019

Composition student Yizhang Liu Has Work Chosen for Competition

Dec 06, 2019

Composition student Giuseppe Gallo-Balma's Work Selected for Symposium

Dec 03, 2019

Conservatory Horn Alum Josh East Appointed to Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

Dec 03, 2019

Percussion Grad Student Jacob Wrobel will Present at KMEA Convention

Nov 25, 2019

Retired Faculty Robert Groene Wins Award at AMTA 2019 Conference

Nov 25, 2019

Conservatory Alum Jan Kraybill Has GRAMMY Nomination

Nov 20, 2019

UMKC Opera Theatre Wins in National Opera Association Competition

Nov 19, 2019

Fountain City Brass Band: 2019 U.S. Champions

Nov 13, 2019

Portrait of Yotam Haber looking down while part of his face is cast in sunlight and some in shadow

Composition Faculty Yotam Haber Wins International Prize

Conservatory's Yotam Haber is one of three winners of the 2020 Azrieli Music Prizes
Nov 11, 2019

Crescendo – Together We Rise

More than 300 students, faculty perform in annual concert
Nov 11, 2019

The Conservatory Welcomes Nicole Hodges Persley

Nov 08, 2019

DMA Piano Student YiQiao Gao Wins First Prize

Nov 08, 2019

Conservatory Dancers Perform with KC Ballet's Nutcracker, 2019

Nov 08, 2019

Composition Faculty Yotam Haber Wins International Prize

Nov 07, 2019

Horn Alum Maddy Tarantelli Teaching in Utah

Nov 06, 2019

Conservatory Vocal Alum Performing at NYC's Metropolitan Opera

Oct 31, 2019

Composition Student Bo Li Wins Honorable Mention

Oct 31, 2019

Composition Alum Pui-shan Cheung Promoted in Hong Kong

Oct 31, 2019

Musicology Prof. William Everett's Public Talks and Publications

Oct 31, 2019

Student Winners of Gerald Kemner Competition

Oct 30, 2019

Composition Prof. Zhou Long Has French Premiere

Oct 30, 2019

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz Named as Visiting Prof. in China

Oct 29, 2019

Faculty Alison DeSimone's New Book

Oct 28, 2019

Dance Major Finds Success in Musical Theater

Shacura Wade is part of the national tour of The Lion King
Oct 25, 2019

Composition Prof. Zhou Long's Madame White Snake To be Staged Again

Oct 25, 2019

Conducting Alum Luis Víquez Wins Award

Oct 10, 2019

Conservatory IPhD Alum Philip Edelman Publishes New Study

Oct 02, 2019

An Interview with VIolinist and Composer Chen Yi

IN Kansas City magazine catches up with the renowned Conservatory professor
Oct 01, 2019

Vocal Alum David Sanchez Appears in the MET's Porgy and Bess

Sep 30, 2019

An Italian Straw Hat rehearsal for UMKC Theatre.

UMKC Theatre Presents 2019-20 Productions

New season features exceptional talent, quality shows
Sep 26, 2019

DMA/Conducting Alum Garrett Rigsby Appointed to UC Davis

Sep 26, 2019

KCMO mayor Quinton Lucas addresses the faculty at the awards ceremony

Celebrating Faculty for Excellence in Teaching and Research

Kansas City mayor joined in night of recognition
Sep 20, 2019

Spectacular Steinway Showcase Recital With the Legendary Piano of Vladimir Horowitz

Sep 19, 2019

Dr. Everett Has Been Giving Conference Talks!

Sep 18, 2019

Piano student Saomek Srithongkum Takes First Prize

Sep 09, 2019

Horn Alum Kali Dodd Wins Position with Symphony

Sep 09, 2019

Trombone Faculty JoDee Davis to Perform at NYC's Symphony Space

Sep 06, 2019

Composers Chen Yi and Zhou Long's Music Performed in NYC and Baltimore

Sep 06, 2019

China Now Music Festival Features an All-Zhou Long Concert

Sep 05, 2019

Conservatory Academy Offering Beginning Piano Class for Adults

Sep 05, 2019

Sean Chen Joins Jonathan Wentworth Associates Roster

Musical American Worldwide reports Sean Chen, currently a Millsap Artist in Residence at the UMKC Conservatory, joins Jonathan Wentworth Associates...
Sep 03, 2019

Horn Alum Brett Hodge Places in International Horn Competition

Sep 03, 2019

Graduate Student Elaine Ng, Viola, In France Summer 2019

Aug 29, 2019

Composition Alum Chin Ting (Patrick) Chan Wins Honorable Mention in Competition

Aug 27, 2019

Composition Students In Italy, Summer 2019

Aug 23, 2019

Catch Up On These 4 Big Campus Updates

New faces, construction, major gift announcements and name changes reflect growth
Aug 15, 2019

Conservatory Percussion Alum Derek Frank's New Posts

Aug 13, 2019

Composition Student Yizhang Liu Accepted to Festival

Aug 12, 2019

Keyboard Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz's Latest Recording Receives Positive Reviews

Aug 05, 2019

Composition Alum Jiyoun Chung Chosen As Composer for American Composers Orchestra

Jul 24, 2019

Composition Alum Yiguo Yan Receives Post-Doc Appointment

Jul 17, 2019

DMA Trumpet Student Jon Kratzer Appointed to Job in Texas

Jul 17, 2019

Composition Alum Aaron Hill Publishes Book

Jul 03, 2019

Marisa Tejeda, Jan Rogge, Haddy Wilczewski and Collin Vorbeck onstage for performance of Shakespeare in Love.

Roos in Shakespeare in the Park

Theatre alumni and students help produce the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival's 33rd production
Jul 01, 2019

Composition Alum Ted King-Smith Wins American Prize

Jun 20, 2019

Conservatory Wind Ensemble Chosen to Perform at 2020 Southwestern CBDNA Conference

Jun 20, 2019

Renowned Conductor Eph Ehly Returns to Conservatory

Jun 20, 2019

UMKC Alum Committed to Promoting Music in Schools

Darryl Chamberlain talks about A-Flat Youth Orchestra on Fox4KC
Jun 18, 2019

Marianne McKenzie and Freddy Acevedo perform in Dracula.

UMKC Theatre MFA Program Nationally Ranked

Hollywood Reporter lists UMKC Theatre in Top 20
Jun 17, 2019

Bráulio Bosi Presents Paper at Guitar Convention in Miami

Jun 17, 2019

Conservatory Welcomes Kevin Noe

Jun 14, 2019

Piano Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz's International Summer Performances

Jun 13, 2019

Conservatory Alum Dustin Cates' New Appointment

Jun 12, 2019

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Adam Boyles

Jun 12, 2019

Recent Conservatory Alumni Teaching Positions

Jun 11, 2019

UMKC in Top 25 Grad Schools for an Acting Degree

Hollywood Reporter Rankings Released
Jun 10, 2019

Conservatory Horn Alum Emily Schaefer To Teach at East Carolina University

Jun 03, 2019

Composition Alum Nahyun Kim to Premier New Work

May 31, 2019

Piano DMA Student Has New Teaching Job

May 30, 2019

Sax Alum Walter Puyear Selected for International Competition

May 30, 2019

Conducting Alum Luis Víquez Joins Faculty in Costa Rica for Summer, 2019

May 24, 2019

2018–19 Muriel McBrien Kauffman Awardees

May 23, 2019

Conducting Alum John McDonald New Director in St. Louis

May 23, 2019

Alison DeSimone's May Publications

May 23, 2019

David Thurmaier's Recent Publications and Presentations

May 23, 2019

Piano Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz Performs in China

May 22, 2019

Volker Brass Wins Prize at Fischoff Competition

May 17, 2019

DMA Grad Lorissa Mason Appointed to U of Arkansas, Little Rock

May 17, 2019

The Conservatory Welcomes Kenneth Martin

May 15, 2019

UMKC Conservatory Welcomes Piano Faculty Christopher Madden

May 09, 2019

Composition Professor Paul Rudy Scores Mini Series by UMKC Prof.

May 07, 2019

Surrounded by instruments and music stands, Bobby Watson leads students through their next piece

Conservatory Students Showcase Talent at Jazz Night at The Folly

Jazz Studies Co-Coordinator Bobby Watson to serve next as UMKC ambassador
May 03, 2019

Saxophone Student Chase Shumsky Awarded Presser Scholarship

May 01, 2019

Musicology Faculty Alison DeSimone Chairs Panel

Apr 29, 2019

Music Ed. Faculty Lani Hamilton Presents Research

Apr 29, 2019

Music Ed. Faculty Emily McGinnis Presents Paper

Apr 29, 2019

Music Therapy Faculty Robert Groene Receives Presidential Commendation

Apr 29, 2019

Composition Student Laura Whitney's Recent Accomplishments

Apr 19, 2019

Percussion Grad Student James Harris Wins Apprenticeship

Apr 16, 2019

Clarinet Alum Stanislav Golovin Appointed as Assistant Prof. in Ohio

Apr 15, 2019

Dr. Everett's Recent Public Speaking and Writing

Apr 12, 2019

Conservatory Welcomes Karen Hsiao Savage

Apr 11, 2019

Conservatory Welcomes Yotam Haber

Apr 11, 2019

Composition and Piano Student Josiah Sprankle Wins MTNA Award

Apr 09, 2019

Conservatory Welcomes Michael Blake

Apr 05, 2019

Conservatory Welcomes Owen Belcher

Apr 05, 2019

Conservatory Musicology Prof. William Everett's March Lectures

Apr 05, 2019

Faculty David Thurmaier and Andrew Granade In the News

Apr 02, 2019

Conservatory DMA Grad Corey Seapy Named Director of Bands at Millikin University

Apr 02, 2019

Composition Students Yintong Liu and Lan Shi Win Competition

Mar 29, 2019

Conservatory Alum Bronco Green Wins Teacher of the Year

Mar 29, 2019

KC Jazz Musician Bobby Watson’s Desk Keeps Him Close to His Music

The Kansas City Star's "What’s on my desk" feature highlighted UMKC Conservatory faculty member Bobby Watson
Mar 25, 2019

Dance Faculty Paula Weber Choreographing for Albany Berkshire Ballet

Mar 22, 2019

Composition Student Lan Shi Wins Commission

Mar 21, 2019

a diverse group of women who received scholarship assistance

70 Women Awarded Scholarships

Graduate Assistance Fund recognizes academic excellence
Mar 20, 2019

Piano Faculty Thomas Rosenkranz In Rhode Island and Iowa

Mar 19, 2019

UMKC Composer Named Among Top Arts Group

Chen Yi to be inducted into American Academy of Arts and Letters
Mar 07, 2019

Mitch Butler Named Associate Professor of Jazz Studies

Mar 07, 2019

Oboe Faculty Celeste Johnson Awarded Grant

Mar 06, 2019

Composition Prof. Chen Yi Elected to American Academy of Arts and Letters

Mar 04, 2019

Composition Grad Student Yizhang Liu Accepted to Two Music Festivals

Mar 04, 2019

Peace in the Madness, A New Way of Looking

KC Studio featured Kansas City Ballet’s New Moves that showcases emerging choreographers
Mar 01, 2019

Alumnus Committed to Teaching Future Musicians

Conservatory of Music and Dance selects Stanislav Ioudenitch to receive Alumni Award
Feb 27, 2019

Graduate student works on historical costume dress

UMKC Theatre Again Named a Top Costume Design Program

Second year in a row, Hollywood Reporter names UMKC to its Top 10 list
Feb 25, 2019

Dawn Iwamasa Joins UMKC Conservatory, Fall, 2019

Feb 20, 2019

Composition Student Bo Li Has Premiere at Red Note

Feb 18, 2019

Keyboard Faculty Alon Goldstein Selected for Prestigious Society of Scholars

Feb 06, 2019

Review: Philharmonic Ties New Threads To A Recent Premiere

Praise for string quartet led by longtime Conservatory professor
Feb 02, 2019

Guitar Alum Michael McClintock's Group in Cuba

Jan 31, 2019

UMKC Assistant Professor of Musicology Appears on KCUR

Alison DeSimone of Conservatory was a guest on “Central Standard”
Jan 29, 2019

Clarinet Alum Stanislav Golovin Teaching In Ohio

Jan 29, 2019

Clarinet Alum Laura Zitelli Wins Position with United States Navy Band

Jan 28, 2019

Jacob Moyer Appointed to The President's Own United States Marine Band

Jan 28, 2019

UMKC Conservatory and Theatre students perform together at the spring opera

New UMKC Conservatory To Be Located on Volker Campus

Preferred site is directly adjacent to existing Olson Performing Arts Center
Jan 24, 2019

Conservatory To Be Built on Volker Campus

Extensive media coverage of announcement
Jan 24, 2019

New UMKC Conservatory To Be Located on Volker Campus

Jan 24, 2019

Composition Alum Kerwin Young and Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Jan 24, 2019

Teejay, a study abroad student, looking out over the Mediterranean Sea

Scholarship Makes Study Abroad More Affordable

Five students win scholarship for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Jan 22, 2019

UMKC Pianist Takes On Rachmaninoff

Alon Goldstein, classical pianist and visiting professor, was a guest on KCUR
Jan 22, 2019

Composer Zhou Long's Madame White Snake Performed in Hong Kong

Jan 18, 2019

Composition faculty Chen Yi's Music Featured on New PRISM Quartet Release

Jan 18, 2019

Winners of the 2019 Missouri Composers Project competition

Jan 17, 2019

Conservatory News