Archives: People


  • Beneficence Brass

    The Beneficence Brass was founded in January of 2018 and consists of Ben Maynard (trumpet), Kieran McNamara (trumpet), Abbie French (horn), Austin Hinkle (trombone), and Sam Michels (tuba). The group will be touring Germany for the next few weeks as part of their collaboration/exchange project with BRAWÜSSimo (brass quintet) of the Universität Würzburg. Trumpeter Ben Maynard, a senior […]

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  • Michael Rigney

    Michael Rigney is originally from the small town of Picayune, Mississippi and is a third year Doctor of Arts student in piano performance with a secondary emphasis in chamber music and accompanying. When asked about building relationships through music, Michael shared: “I have met wonderful people while at Ball State University including my significant other. I never […]

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  • Emma Boyd-Ryan

    Emma Boyd-Ryan is a sophomore from Indianapolis pursuing a music media production major and physics minor. “I think that Ball State has helped me to become a more-rounded musician. We learn about many aspects of the business, including performing, recording, music theory, music history, etc. These aspects have helped me to learn more about music as […]

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  • Lindsey Wiehl

    Lindsey Wiehl is originally from Upstate New York and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Arts in Music. Lindsey is one of our many students that have an exciting summer of music making ahead of them! “This summer I will be performing in Falmouth, MA in the College Light Opera Company. I’m excited to spend some […]

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  • Anthony Echarry

    Anthony Echarry is an undergraduate saxophonist from Noblesville, Indiana, and is currently on tour with the Jazz Lab Ensemble in Costa Rica! “Ball State has definitely shown me what to do as a performance major. The jazz professors are top notch and offer an endless amount of knowledge when it comes to learning, playing, and […]

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  • Alexandra Nicole Billhartz

    Alexandra Nicole Billhartz is a second-year master’s student from New Baden, IL. “My two years at Ball State have truly shaped me as a performer, person, and educator. I have been able to grow as a performer through my involvement with the Ball State Opera Theatre and Chamber Choir, and the guidance of wonderful and […]

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  • Alvise Pascucci

    Alvise Pascucci is a second year Artist Diploma student in piano performance from Italy. “Ball State has been providing all the necessities to obtain the maximum preparation as a pianist: 2 lessons per week with an outstanding teacher, very nice Steinway pianos in all the practice rooms are always available to me, and a wonderful […]

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  • Annie King

    Annie King is a second year Doctor of Arts Student pursuing a primary in harp performance and secondary in adult and community education. She is from McConnell, IL, which sits in the very Northwest corner of Illinois. “My experience at Ball State has helped me to grow immensely in all areas, but especially in teaching, […]

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  • Dr. Ryan Hourigan

    Ryan Hourigan is currently finishing his 13th year on faculty at Ball State and is the director of the School of Music. Dr. Hourigan is originally from Central Illinois (Taylorville), but went to high school in Roeland Park, Kansas in the Kansas City Metro-area. He holds degrees from Eastern Illinois University (B.M.), Michigan State University […]

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  • Savannah Rang

    Savannah Rang is junior music media production major from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Last Spring, Savannah competed in the Spring Shout Songwriting Competition and won first prize which allowed her to attend the Popakademie International Summer Camp in Germany compliments of the School of Music. “The Spring Shout Competition was really fun! I really entered just […]

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