Recognizing Student Accomplishments
Students Achievements
The Tell School of Music is proud to showcase the remarkable talents and accomplishments of our dedicated students. From captivating performances to prestigious awards, our students continuously demonstrate their passion and commitment to musical excellence. Join us in celebrating their achievements and exploring the diverse talents that thrive within our musical community.
Passion Meets Purpose: Music Industry Major accepted to New York Law School
Colin Fry is graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Tell School of Music with a Bachelor of Science degree in the Music Industry. His academic excellence has earned him a place at New York Law School for the fall of 2024, where he has been awarded the prestigious Dean's List Scholarship, amounting to $35,000 per year.
Colin is passionate about the intersection of law and entertainment. He discovered his interest in entertainment law while studying at Millersville University, where he also played a significant role with other Tell School of Music students in the Music For Everyone organization. This organization exists to cultivate the power of music as an educational and community well-being to transform lives, schools, and communities in Lancaster County. Colin aims to build a career in the exciting field of entertainment law, advocating for artists and musicians and utilizing his legal career as a platform to support his community.
Despite his commitment to legal studies, Colin remains dedicated to his creative pursuits. He plans to continue songwriting and producing music alongside his education and future legal career.
Nanga Lin Accepted to Manhattan School of Music, Graduate Program
Nanga’s love for music began at a young age when she started piano lessons with her mother in her hometown of Shantou, China. By the age of six, she was already performing in public. In 2014, she pursued her musical aspirations further by studying under Dr. Songwen Li. She then moved to the United States, where she attended Lancaster Mennonite High School and participated in several international festivals and competitions, further honing her skills.
Nanga won the Bronze Award in the Professional Artist category at the 2021 WPTA China-North America International Piano Competition. In 2024, she won the Louis Vyner Performance Competition at the Tell School of Music, which earned her the honor of performing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, Op.37, with the Millersville Orchestra in the spring of 2024.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Nanga has also excelled academically. She is on track to graduate summa cum laude in the spring of 2024. She was awarded the Presser Foundation Award for 2024. Next year, she will pursue a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where she will study under Dr. Wael Farouk.
Honor’s Thesis: Innovative Research on Music Literacy in High School Choirs
Kylie Calogero is a junior at Millersville University, double majoring in music education and vocal performance and minoring in psychology. Kylie’s goal is to obtain a doctorate and become a professor of music education. At Millersville University, she has held several leadership roles, including president of the National Association of Music Education Chapter 92 and vice president of Millersville’s American Choral Directors Association chapter.
Under the guidance of Dr. Micheàl Houlahan and Dr. Philip Tacka at Millersville University, Kylie’s academic interests have centered on the philosophy of music education, particularly the Houlahan-Tacka teaching model. Kylie was intrigued by their recent publication, “Choral Artistry: A Kodály Perspective for Middle School to College-Level Choirs, Vol. 1. Kylie embarked on a research journey to explore the efficacy of the Houlahan-Tacka methodology in high school choral classrooms. She interviewed 18 high school choral directors from diverse backgrounds and teaching philosophies, examining topics such as rehearsal techniques, curriculum goals, and student musicianship levels.
Kylie presented her research at the Made in Millersville Conference, highlighting the importance of incorporating effective teaching strategies to foster music literacy and enhance student learning outcomes. Her research contributes to the academic discourse and informs her future aspirations of becoming a choral director dedicated to implementing evidence-based instructional practices in her classroom. With her passion for music education and commitment to research, Kylie is poised to make a meaningful impact in Music education.