Meet Maggie, a second-year Music Education major who is all about making music and making connections! Hailing from Roswell, Georgia, she's a dedicated saxophonist (and singer!) who keeps busy with concert band, jazz band, chorus, and recorder ensemble. Maggie is thrilled to be a resource for new students, helping them navigate the school of music and discover their passion. When she's not on campus, you can find her out rock climbing, hiking a new trail, or curled up with a book.

Gilbert P. Villagrana, a conductor, trumpeter, and educator from El Paso, TX, currently serves as Limited-Term Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Conductor of the British Brass Band at the University of Georgia. He is also pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting at UGA, where he previously served as a Doctoral Conducting Associate with the UGA Bands. He earned his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance under Philip A. Smith at UGA and his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas.

Cristina "Trinity" Vélez-Justo (they/she) will begin as assistant professor of music and film and media scoring certificate director. Trinity is a multi-hyphenate creative who engages with music, sound design, tactile arts, and visual media. Through their business, ReelScoring, L.L.C., Trinity composes music and designs audio for visual and interactive media as well as provides mentorship and independent education in media scoring and production.

Andrew Voelker joins the faculty of the University of Georgia’s in 2025 as Vocal Coach and Music Director of Opera Theatre at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Andrew is in demand as a vocal coach and pianist, specializing in lyric diction and contemporary score analysis, with a particular love of art song and all things sung. As an avid performer, Voelker brings a spirit for innovation and collaboration to UGA.

Anne Slovin, soprano, is a versatile performing artist, researcher and voice pedagogue who earned her doctorate from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 2025.

Headshot by Dorothy Kozlowski 

Maggie Snyder, professor of viola at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, is one of three UGA faculty members named Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professors in 2025. The professorship is the university’s highest recognition for instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Kimberly Bateman is a third-year Flute Performance major from Hoschton, Georgia. She is also completing a Business Minor through the Terry College of Business. Within the School of Music, she has performed with the UGA Wind Ensemble, the UGA Symphony Orchestra, and the UGA Women’s Glee Club. Kimberly plays an active role in the Athens music community, performing frequently at local churches and outreach events. Outside of her studies, she loves reading books, going for runs, and cooking. She also works as a Pre-Calculus Teaching Assistant through an online math program.

Emily Taylor is a third-year Honors Voice Performance Major from Ringgold, Georgia, and she is currently studying voice with Dr. Amy Petrongelli. While at the HHSOM, she has been a part of the Women’s Glee Club, Repertory Singers, Hodgson Singers, and the Choral Project. Apart from ensembles, Emily is thrilled to be a brother of the national honorary co-ed band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, where she is able to serve the community as well as the Redcoat Marching Band. She also cherishes her part in Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, where she serves as a worship leader.