All Recipients

Megan Brooke Alderson, Liz Anderson, Roger Anderson, Cassandra Ballew, Shannon Bay, Amber Beasley-Goff, Michael Berrymen, Jason Berron, Joseph Bottoms, Michael Baker Brown, Stephanie Straight-Bousguet, Julie Bratvold, James Brewer, Ronelo Burgos, Jason Burrows, Justin Caldwell, Sarah Chilcote, Calin Clark, Drew Cogbill, Nathan Cook, Shelby Coplon, Rachael Cripps, Elizabeth (Besty) Crouch-Jilka, Raymond Curtis, Jennifer Davis, Brocha Evans, Ryan Fitzgerald, Daria Ryan Fitzgerald, Jason Fitzgerald, Dory Rebecca Ford, Randall Freeman, Michael Gibbs, Kaja Gillen, Mardel Hardimon, Coleman Harris, Jason Henson, John Frederick Herget IV, Priscilla Herron, Michelle Higuera, Debra Hillabrand-Spann, Courtney Hoover, Eilliott James, Melody Jenkins, Linda Kelley, Jason Lahay, Ember Lanuti, Catherine Lowry, Carmen Lyon, Sean Phillip Mabrey, Jason Marus, Blythe McCauley, Chelsey Cavin, Lyndon Meyer, Joshua Miller, Xavier Moore, Pamela Olson, Jose Ortega, Lisa Parks, Andrea Peterson, Micah Powell, John Priester, Katelyn Roberts, Nick Roland, Jason Rutledge, Paul Polonco Safadir, Kassie Sen, Maja Sevo, Dalton Smith, Jason Howell Smith, Jonathan Story, Elizabeth Terry, Keyla Tooley, MeMe Vines, Molly Volmer, Thomas Williams, Jill Woodhouse-Burcham, Molly Volmer, Kassie Sen, Katy Roberts, Shelby Coplon, Nick Roland, Jonathan Story, Xavier Moore,  Michael Baker Brown, Nathan Cook, Jason Rutledge and Chelsey Cavin.

Where are they now!

Chelsey Cavin, soprano, sophomore at the UA, resides in Fayetteville, AR with her husband, Jon. She is originally from Greenbrier, AR where she also graduated from Greenbrier High School.Chelsey has been featured in various different shows including Grease, Chicago, and Hairspray. Her favorite role was as Esther in A Night with the King. She is also a long time competitor in pageants. In 2007, she was crowned Miss Arkansas International. This past summer she competed in the Miss Arkansas pageant where she was awarded the Alpha Talent award and also had the honor of making the top ten. She is majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Music, and has been with the Mashburn Foundation for two years.

Aricka Lewis, a senior year at Fayetteville High School and is a member of the Thespian Troupe 717 and Mu Alpha Theta. She has also been in a number of productions; "Bye Bye Birdie" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream”.  She is the FHS choir alto section leader and a member of the chamber choir "Encore." After graduating in May, Aricka will attend the University of Arkansas in hopes of majoring in broadcast journalism and Spanish. 

Jason Rutledge, tenor, is a Music Education major. He has been studying voice for 5 semesters with Dr. Eddie Jones. Jason started singing with the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation in the January of 2008. Jason has been very active in the University of Arkansas Music Department over the last several years. Mr. Rutledge has performed with nearly all voice ensembles currently on campus, including: Schola Cantorum, The UA Vocal Jazz Group, University Chamber Choir, University Opera Theater, and The University Concert Choir. Jason is living happily in Fayetteville with his loving wife Kristine and currently works part time at the First United Methodist Church inBentonville, Arkansas under the direction of Miles Fish. He is the son of Keith and Ronda Rutledge of Siloam Springs Arkansas.

Nathan Cook, baritone, is a freshman at the U of A. Nathan is pursuing a degree in Music Education and is a 2008 scholarship recipient. He has played roles in many community theater and high school productions, and has been an active participant and accompanist for Springfield Little Theater's Y.E.S. Troupe: a musical theater training ground for high school students aspiring to become professional actors. Nathan has been seen on stage in My Fair Lady, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Godspell, and You Can’t Take It with You, as well as many other shows. Nathan currently studies voice with Janice Yoes, and is a member of Schola Cantorum. Nathan is the son of Curt and Lori Cook of Springfield Missouri.

Michael Baker Brown, bass, a junior at the University of Arkansas pursuing a degree in Music Education. He transferred to the University of Arkansas from the Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, AR, where he was an active member in both the NWACC Chamber Singers, led by Dr. Steve Cooper and the Civic Chorus, led by Miles Fish. Michael first studied voice under Carolyn Ford at NWACC, and now studies with Elaine Cencel at the U of A. He is a member ofSchola Cantorum under the direction of Dr. Graeme Langager. Michael is a 2008 BarbaraMashburn Scholarship recipient, and the proud father of his new baby boy, Christopher. Michael is the son of Steve and Rhonda Brown of Springdale Arkansas.

Xavier Moore, baritone, is a freshman Vocal Music Performance major at the University of Arkansas. He attended West Memphis High School and joined the advanced choir called Southern Exposure, under the direction of Doug Conwell, one of his greatest musical inspirations. Since that time he has performed in numerous operas and national competitions. He studies voice with Dr. Eddie Jones at the University of Arkansas and is also a member of Schola Cantorum. His hopes are to become a professional performer of opera and other musical styles. This is Xavier’s second semester singing with this foundation. Xavier is the son of Charlotte Miller of West Memphis Arkansas.

Jonathan Story, Pianist, is a graduate at the University of Arkansas where he studies piano with Professor Jura Margulis. Dubbed “Fayetteville’s Piano Man” by Northwest Arkansas Times, Jonathan is known for his versatility on the piano and organ. In addition to having served eleven years as the pianist for the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation, Jonathan has also accompanied ensembles including Schola Cantorum, the University of Arkansas Concert Choir and the Gospel Echos' Quartet. Now in his sixth year as organist of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Jonathan maintains an active concert schedule which includes an upcoming New York City debut. Beside his musical interest, Jonathan is involved in real estate and has just completed the restoration of the 1906 Clancy House in Fayetteville.

Julie Bratvold, Student Coordinator/Choreographer 2000-2002, traveled with the national tour of A Christmas Carol, played the role of Nettie in Carousel and originated the role of Elizabeth Challoner in the world premier of Missouri. Now living in New York, she has continued to study voice. She starred in productions aboard the 3,000 passenger cruise liner The Costa Atlantica, the largest Italian cruise ship touring Italy, France, Spain, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean Islands.

Brocha Evans, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas with degrees in Vocal Performance and French. She entered the Masters of Music in Voice program at the University of Cincinnati's Conservatory of Music where she studies with Thomas Baresel. Brocha has sung in several international music programs in Graz, the Rome Opera Festival, and Opera Theatre di Lucca. She has performed roles at Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music including: Marcellina in CCM's production of Le Nozze di Figaro, Shifra in the world premier of Joel Hoffman's The Memory Game, Maria/Amelia in scenes from Simon Boccanegra, The Governess in Benjamin Britten's The Turn of the Screw and Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Jill Woodhouse Burcham is a 2001 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Music in Voice. Upon graduation, Jill moved to Madison, Wisconsin to pursue her Master of Music in Voice at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has participated in UW's opera theatre and opera workshop programs, most notably as Cupid in the production of Orpheus in the Underworld. She performed in the UW opera theatre gala concert, perform the role of Marcellina in UW's production of La Nozze Di Figaro and performed with the Stoughton Opera Company of Stoughton, Wisconsin. Jill also enjoys musical theater and has performed the role of Nellie in the Bella Vista Village Players production of South Pacific and Petra in Sondheim's A Little Night Music, put on by Madison Strollers Theater. She completed her Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin in 2006 and upon graduation changed her musical focus from opera to theater. She will be performing in Woof Theater Productions' version of Sondheim's COMPANY in October in Boulder, CO. When not in rehearsal, Jill keeps house and raises her son in Broomfield, CO.

Michelle Higuera, a 1996 Mashburn Scholarship recipient, graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas in 2001 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Currently, Michelle works for Procter & Gamble and is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration from the Walton School of Business. She is Vice President for the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation.

Debra Hillabrand attained a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Arkansas in 2002 and recently graduated from Washington University with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. While attending the University of Arkansas, she appeared in The Magic Flute and Amahl and the Night Visitors with the North Arkansas Symphony. Her roles with Washington University Opera include Minnie Lansing in Stephen Paulus' The Village Singer, Natalia Petrovina in Lee Hoiby’s A Month in the Country, and Madame de la Haltiere in scenes from Cendrillon. Debra was a district winner at the 2003 Arkansas/Western Tennessee Metropolitan Opera Auditions and is a student of John Steward in St. Louis. She has recently started teaching voice at Washington University and is thrilled to have the opportunity to train young singers. Debra spent the summer in Central City, CO as an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera. She also performed on their main stage as Mrs. Ott in SUSANNAH. Debra will continue teaching voice at Washington University in St. Louis as well as singing with the Bach Society of STL as their Alto Young Artist. In January 2009, she will join Wichita Grand Opera's Young Artist Program and will cover Joyce di Donato as Rosina in Rossini's IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA.

 Melody Jenkins,  a 2004 graduate was the Mashburn Student Coordinator and Choreographer. She was a member of the Fulbright Honors College majoring in Vocal Performance. Melody studied voice with Janice Yoes and taught voice and piano at Stehpanie's Musique in Springdale. She was a member of the Schola Cantorum. Melody is now doing graduate work at the University of Arkansas.

 Melody Jenkins,  2005 alumni, is looking forward to starting voice studies with Janice Yoes (U of A) in pursuit of her Masters degree this fall. Melody has worked with Weathervane Theatre in New Hampshire and Granbury Opera House in Dallas. She is now teaching private voice and piano lessons, leading music at New Hope Fellowship Church in Springdale, and is also employed by Legacy National Bank.

 Elizabeth (Betsy) Crouch-Jilka  a 1997 Mashburn Scholarship recipient, is a second year Master of Fine Arts Acting candidate at the U of A. She received her Bachelor of Music in Voice in 2001. She was recently seen as Lucille Frank in the musical Parade. Her other recent credits include Holly in Anton in Show Business and currently Casilda in Peribanez by Lope de Vega. She currently lives and works in New York City in a production of DESSA ROSE at 4th Wall Theatre in which she plays the role of Ruth. When she is not in a show, she is constantly researching the art of how to pursue her dreams while having enough time and money to live, eat, and survive in the city. She attributes much of her perseverance to BMSF.

 John Frederick Herget, IV,  performed with the Mashburn Singers for two years before his graduation in 2003, performing with them throughout Northwest Arkansas and twice at the White House for President Bill Clinton. He now resides in New York City, continuing his acting and musical career, appearing in films such as The Game of Their Lives, the Manchurian Candidate, and The Squid and the Whale. He has also performed regionally in A Christmas Carol Rag (Cleveland, OH), Showboat (Natchez, MS, and in Miklat (St. Louis, MO.) John currently subsidizes his acting career by fundraising in the Planned Giving department for Amnesty International USA. A New York City resident since 2003, he has worked regionally in theatre and ope ra, as well as appearing in a few random off-Broadway musicals, some films, and some TV shows. Proud member of Actor's Equity and the Screen Actor's Guild.

Jason Burrows (2000) is living in New York City with his wife Samantha. For the summers of 2005-2007 Jason was the Musical Director for the New London Barn Playhouse in New London, NH, a professional summer stock theater. Jason worked with a new theater for the summer of 2008 called the Summer Theatre in Meredith Village in Meredith, NH. While in the city he accompanies and teaches voice lessons privately and is a vocal coach at NYU in the Steinhardt School of Music. Most recently Jason was seen onstage in LEND ME A TENOR and BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at the Summer Theatre and in 1776 with St. Bart's Players in NYC

Andrea Peterson-Speer graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Communication and a minor in Music. She is currently working as a bridal consultant in Cleveland, Ohio. Her husband, Kevin Speer, is a Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Dory Rebekah (Ford) Sibley, 1999 recipient, resides in Arezzo, Italy where she is the Student Services Coordinator for the Accademia dell’Arte, a study abroad program for music, theatre, dance, and applied arts. She is the founding President of the Accademia’s Alumni Association and will be participating in the Master of Fine Arts program there beginning Fall 2009. Besides working for the Arts, Dory and her husband will have their cycling tour company, The Broken Compass, up and running in Spring 2009.

Amber (Beasley) Goff has been the busy and happy wife of Hunter Goff for the past four years in Dallas, TX. With jobs ranging from travel agent to substitute school teacher to small business owner, she is most thrilled with her newest role as Expecting Mommy! The Goffs are also happy to announce their return to Arkansas in September where Hunter will be Pastoral intern at the Bible Church of Cabot.

Maja Sevo (2004) graduated at the University of Arkansas with the Bachelor of Vocal Performance and Music Education. She is currently working on her Masters degree in Vocal Performance and is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Arkansas where she studies under Ms. Elaine Cencel. She is preparing for her graduate recital which will be held this fall.

Randall Freeman currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his partner Robert. He is currently working as an environmental scientist with Enercon services of Tulsa performing biological evaluations of oil and gas installations. He is currently in the process of walking a 132-mile natural gas pipeline in southern Oklahoma looking for wetlands, threatened and endangered species, and submitting reports to the United States Corps of Engineers relevant to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).

Michael Gibbs (1998) is currently working as a Systems Administrator for UAMS. He is currently a member of the River City Men’s Chorus in Little Rock, and will be singing in their Fall Concert on Sept 21st and 22nd. You may have also seen him on a recent episode of The Price is Right, hosted by Drew Carey.

Molly Volmer, alto, is a senior at the University of Arkansas currently finishing her degree in music education where she studies voice with Janice Yoes. Molly has been a member of the Mashburn singers since the fall of 2004. This year she received the privilege of student directing the University of Arkansas Children's Choir. She is a proud member of the Gamma Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She enjoyed taking part in the University's production of West Side Story last spring and is currently rehearsing for Floyd Collins. Molly is also the Co-Student Coordinator for the Mashburn Singers. In May she will graduate and travel to Europe with the University's Schola Cantorum. Molly is also going to be joyfully married this July! Molly is the daughter of Phil and Nancy Volmer of Bartlesville Oklahoma.

Kassie Sen, alto, is a junior at the University of Arkansas and is pursuing a degree in Music Education under the voice instruction of Dr. Eddie Jones. She is from Springdale, Arkansas and during her schooling there, was a member of All-Region and All-State Choirs. Kassie is a third year member of the University’s Schola Cantorum and leads worship at Fellowship Bible Church in Rogers. She aspires to earn a graduate degree in choral conducting and be a primary school music educator, where she will be able to use her love and passion for music to inspire young children to appreciate the arts in their own lives. She is currently an Assistant Director of the University of Arkansas Children's Choir and has been in various musical productions such as Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, and Grease. Kassie has participated with the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation since the fall of 2006 and is currently a Co-Student Coordinator with Molly Volmer. Kassie is the daughter of Pamela and Sober Sen of Springdale Arkansas.

Katy Roberts, soprano, is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas seeking a degree in Music Education. Katy is originally from Mount Pleasant, Iowa, with a strong background in musical theater and dance. She enjoyed performing in the University Theater’s 2007 production of West Side Story as “Rosalie”. Katy has also appeared as “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast, “Baby June” in Gypsy, and “Tapti” in The King and I. Katy studies voice with Dr. Eddie Jones and was a finalist last year in the Arkansas State NATS competition. Katy has been a member of the BMSF since the spring of 2007. She is the daughter of Tim and Vicki Roberts of Bella Vista Arkansas.

Shelby Coplon, alto, is a sophomore Vocal Performance major. She studies voice with Janice Yoes and is enrolled in the Fulbright Honors Program. Shelby participates in the University of Arkansas’ Schola Cantorum and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Shelby portrayed the role of “Sandman” as a freshman in the University’s Opera Theatre production of Hansel and Gretel. She has also prepared the role of “La Baronet” for the opera Cherubim. Shelby has danced for 16 years and is the choreographer for the Claremore High School Dance program and the main choreographer for the BMSF productions. Shelby joined the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation in the spring of 2007. She is the daughter of Donna and Mitch Coplon from Claremore Oklahoma.

Nick Roland, baritone, is in his third year at the University of Arkansas studying Philosophy, Mathematics and Music. He studies voice with Dr. Eddie Jones and has studied jazz guitar with Ben Harris. While attending Springdale High School, where he graduated in 2005, Nick sang with the A Cappella choir, Unity select ensemble, and reprised the role of “Danny” in the musical Grease. He is a worship leader at Fellowship Bible Church in Lowell and has led worship at multiple local churches and events. Nick also participates in the University of Arkansas’ select choir, Schola Cantorum. Nick plans to continue to study music and its affects on people as he strives to bring hope to a broken world through the ministry of music. He is a first year member of the Mashburn Scholarship Foundation. Nick is the son of David and Cathy Roland of Springdale.

Jonathan Story, Pianist, is a graduate at the University of Arkansas where he studies piano with Professor Jura Margulis. Dubbed “Fayetteville’s Piano Man” by Northwest Arkansas Times, Jonathan is known for his versatility on the piano and organ. In addition to having served eleven years as the pianist for the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation, Jonathan has also accompanied ensembles including Schola Cantorum, the University of Arkansas Concert Choir and the Gospel Echos' Quartet. Now in his sixth year as organist of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Jonathan maintains an active concert schedule which includes an upcoming New York City debut. Beside his musical interest, Jonathan is involved in real estate and has just completed the restoration of the 1906 Clancy House in Fayetteville.
    
 Xavier Moore,  baritone, is a freshman Vocal Music Performance major at the University of Arkansas. He attended West Memphis High School and joined the advanced choir called Southern Exposure, under the direction of Doug Conwell, one of his greatest musical inspirations. Since that time he has performed in numerous operas and national competitions. He studies voice with Dr. Eddie Jones at the University of Arkansas and is also a member of Schola Cantorum. His hopes are to become a professional performer of opera and other musical styles. This is Xavier’s second semester singing with this foundation. Xavier is the son of Charlotte Miller of West Memphis Arkansas.
    
 Michael Baker Brown , bass, a junior at th e University of Arkansas pursuing a degree in Music Education. He transferred to the University of Arkansas from the Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, AR, where he was an active member in both the NWACC Chamber Singers, led by Dr. Steve Cooper and the Civic Chorus, led by Miles Fish. Michael first studied voice under Carolyn Ford at NWACC, and now studies with Elaine Cencel at the U of A. He is a member of Schola Cantorum under the direction of Dr. Graeme Langager. Michael is a 2008 Barbara Mashburn Scholarship recipient, and the proud father of his new baby boy, Christopher. Michael is the son of Steve and Rhonda Brown of Springdale Arkansas.
    
Nathan Cook, baritone, is a freshman at the U of A. Nathan is pursuing a degree in Music Education and is a 2008 scholarship recipient. He has played roles in many community theater and high school productions, and has been an active participant and accompanist for Springfield Little Theater's Y.E.S. Troupe: a musical theater training ground for high school students aspiring to become professional actors. Nathan has been seen on stage in My Fair Lady, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Godspell, and You Can’t Take It with You, as well as many other shows. Nathan currently studies voice with Janice Yoes, and is a member of Schola Cantorum. Nathan is the son of Curt and Lori Cook of Springfield Missouri.

 Rachel Spencer, is a Fayetteville High School Senior with performances that include “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”
 
Jason Rutledge, tenor, is a Music Education major. He has been studying voice for 5 semesters with Dr. Eddie Jones. Jason started singing with the Barbara Mashburn Scholarship Foundation in the January of 2008. Jason has been very active in the University of Arkansas Music Department over the last several years. Mr. Rutledge has performed with nearly all voice ensembles currently on campus, including: Schola Cantorum, The UA Vocal Jazz Group, University Chamber Choir, University Opera Theater, and The University Concert Choir. Jason is living happily in Fayetteville with his loving wife Kristine and currently works part time at the First United Methodist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas under the direction of Miles Fish. He is the son of Keith and Ronda Rutledge of Siloam Springs Arkansas.