Our alumni have built remarkable careers in musicology, education, performance, and leadership roles around the world. This list highlights their professional accomplishments, showcasing the transformative impact of their education at Case Western Reserve University.
Explore how their dedication and expertise have led them to influential positions in academia, performance, and beyond.
CWRU music students graduate prepared for successful careers and advanced study in a variety of fields, including:
- Accepted into Top Graduate Programs and Conservatories: Our graduates have pursued advanced degrees at leading institutions, furthering their studies in music and related disciplines.
- Careers in Music Education, Performance, Arts Management, and More: Alumni have become educators, performers, composers, conductors, and arts administrators, making a lasting impact on the music world.
- Success in Diverse Fields: Many alumni leverage their skills beyond music, excelling in fields such as medicine, law, technology, and business.
Some alumni continue research in music and interdisciplinary fields, such as:
- Music Cognition and Neuroscience: Exploring the intersection of music, psychology, and brain science to understand the impact of music on human cognition and development.
- Engineering and Acoustics: Applying music to hearing technology, instrument development, and sound design, blending creativity with technical expertise.
- Music Therapy: Using music in clinical and mental health settings to support well-being and enhance therapeutic practices.
- Arts Administration and Cultural Policy: Leading arts organizations, advocating for the arts, and shaping cultural policy on a global scale.
CWRU music graduates are shaping the future of their fields, demonstrating how music can enrich lives, drive innovation, and inspire change!
Lilyanne Dorilas
2024, BA in Music and BA in Cognitive Science, Case Western Reserve University, College of Arts and Sciences
2024, Lilyanne made history as the first CWRU Concerto Competition winner to compose and premiere her own work. Her Violin Concerto No. 1, II. Golden Hour debuted on February 28, 2024, at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, highlighting her talents as a composer and performer.
Devin Reddy
2019, BA in Music, Case Western Reserve University, College of Arts and Sciences
2023, MM in Horn Performance, Royal College of Music (London)
2025, Doctor of Medicine - MD, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States
Vincenzo Volpe
2017, BA in Music, Case Western Reserve University, College of Arts and Sciences
2019, MB, University of Toronto
2023, DMA, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
April 2023–present, Fife Specialist, The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Al Rodriguez
2014, BS in Music Education, Case Western Reserve University, College of Arts and Sciences
2017–present, Director of Orchestras at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, United States
2024, Grammy-nominated quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award
Paul Abdullah
2021, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Learning Experience Designer, Sun Communities & Sun Outdoors, Gross pointe, Michigan, 2022-present
Instructional Designer | E-learning Developer, CWRU, 2021-2022
Lecturer, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University, 2021
Michael Bane
2016, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Lecturer, San Diego State University, 2021-2022
Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, 2016-2022
Daniel Batchelder
2018, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology, University of Cincinnati (CCM), 2019-2020
Sophie Benn (see full profile)
2021, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Assistant Professor of Music, Jordan College of the Arts, Butler University, 2022-present
Assistant Professor of Music History and Literature, Western Kentucky University, 2021-2022
Daniel Boomhower (see full profile)
2017, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Director of the Research Library, Dumbarton Oaks, 2017-present
Leah Branstetter (see full profile)
2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
womeninrockproject.org
Copyright Specialist, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 2024-present
Director of Digital Content, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 2021-2024
Digital Education Manager, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH, 2018-2020
Devin Burke (see full profile)
2016, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Assistant Professor, School of Music, University of Louisville, 2017-present
David Dolata (see full profile)
1998, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Professor of Musicology, Area Coordinator of Music History, Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts, Florida International University
Kate Doyle (see full profile)
2018, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Assistant Professor of Music, Arts, Culture & Media, School of Arts & Sciences-Newark, Rutgers University, 2019-present
Adam Knight Gilbert (see full profile)
2003, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Professor and Director of Early Music, Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California, 2022-present
Rotem Gilbert (see full profile)
2005, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Vice Dean, Research and Scholarly Studies Division; Professor of Practice, Early Music & Musicology, Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California, 2022-present
Peter Graff (see full profile)
2018, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Visiting Assistant Professor, Denison University, 2019-present
Armin Karim
2014, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Director of Classic Worship, Bay Presbyterian Church (Bay Village, Ohio), 2019-present
Brian MacGilvray (see full profile)
2017, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Lecturer, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University and Music Literature Faculty, Joint Music Program, Cleveland Institute of Music, 2016-present
Rachel McNellis
2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Archives Processing Technician, Library of Congress, Music Division, 2019-present
Kate Rogers
2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Instructor of Music History and Viola, Pacific University, 2021-present
John Romey (see full profile)
2018, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Assistant Professor in Musicology, Purdue University/Fort Wayne, 2019-present
Stephanie Ruozzo
2020, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Education and Engagement Associate, Cleveland Opera Theater, 2020-present
Erin Smith
2016, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Research Services Librarian, Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University, 2019-present
Mandy Smith
2020, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Director of Education, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 2019-present
Nicholas Stevens (see full profile)
2017, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Musicologist (Production Associate) at ArkivMusic/Naxos of America, Inc.
Kelly St. Pierre (see full profile)
2012, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Associate Professor of Musicology, Wichita State University, 2015-present
Barbara Swanson
2013, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Graduate Studies and Research, Fountain School of the Performing Arts, Dalhousie University, 2019-present
Alanna (Ropchock) Tierno (see full profile)
2015, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
International Programs Coordinator and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music History, Shenandoah University, 2022-present
Jürgen Thym (see full profile)
1973, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music (Affiliate Faculty: Organ, Sacred Music, & Historical Keyboards), 1973-present
Brian Wright (see full profile)
2018, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Musicology, Case Western Reserve University
Assistant Professor of Music History, College of Music, University of North Texas, 2019-present
