RUMYA PUTCHA 
Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Women’s Studies

September 27, 2023: Presented on her book The Dancer’s Voice: Performance and Womanhood in Transnational India at the Department of Music at Columbia University in New York City. 

Levi Dean joined Franklin College’s Office of Development in 2023 and is the development associate for Hugh Hodgson School of Music. In this role, he works as a liaison between many stakeholders associated with the Hugh including alumni, faculty, students, and donors. 

Lauren (she/her) is a second-year music therapy major at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. She is an out-of-state student from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Her primary instrument is flute, and she is involved in Professor Angela Jones-Reus’ flute studio at UGA. Lauren has been a member of Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and flute chambre ensembles. Lauren is an active member of the Music Therapy Student Association, the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band, and the music fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.

Jodie Stone is a 2nd year AB Music and Biology double major from Fayetteville, GA. She began her musical journey on the violin at age 5, but has been playing the viola for the past 3 years and is a member of the viola studio. She is a former member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and a current member of the UGASO. Jodie has participated in research at the New Materials Institute at UGA, studying the effects of genetic mutations on the efficiency of protein production in cells.

Adam Starks (he/him) is a third-year Music and International Affairs major from Dunwoody, Georgia. Currently studying viola, he is actively involved in the UGA Symphony Orchestra, a string quartet, and Chinese music performance playing erhu. Outside of the HHSOM, Adam is the media coordinator for Be the Match @UGA, editor for the Georgia Political Review, and Swap Shop volunteer. As an ambassador, he hopes to make music curriculum and performance more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for students at the collegiate level.

Sophie Ray (she/her) is a third-year clarinetist from Bishop, Georgia, pursuing a degree in Music Therapy. She has participated in Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and the Clarinet Choir at the University of Georgia. She is also a member of the Clarinet Studio and a sister of the women’s music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. Through the ambassador program, she hopes to spread her love of music to all and to foster the positive environment found in the HHSOM for the rest of her time at UGA.

Lauren McClary is a third year Music Therapy from Spartanburg, SC. Her primary instrument is violin and she studies with Dr. Heald. She is Philanthropy Chair for the Iota Zeta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and serves as the outreach chair for the Music Therapy Student Association. Outside of the school of music she loves to read and hike.

Rachel is a 5th-year student from Suwanee, Georgia pursuing degrees in BBA Economics and AB Music. During her time at UGA, Rachel has been a part of many ensembles including the UGA Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, University Chorus, and Steel Band. She also served as a piccolo section leader in the Redcoat Marching Band and received a certificate in Personal and Organizational leadership through the Terry College of Business Institute for Leadership Advancement Fellow's program.

Peter Kandra is a third-year Piano Performance Major studying under Dr. Evgeny Rivkin. He is a graduate of the Performing and Visual Arts (now Apex Arts) Magnet Program in Annapolis Maryland, and holds two of its highest accolades in Artistic Commitment and Master of Craft. Peter is passionate about all music, but particularly Germanic and Slavic music. In addition to the piano repertoire, he has a great interest in Opera and conducting, and hopes to pursue a Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting. Peter currently studies conducting with Maestro Alfonso Piacentini.