Manhattan School of Music Alumni

08/20/2026

On This Date in 2008: Students move into Andersen Residence Hall prior to the fall semester, with assistance from family and staff.

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Yi Wang (MM '18, PS '19) on the release of her debut album sharing the title of her doctoral thesis (University of Iowa), "Breaking My Silence." The work explores solo piano compositions by female composers Ethel Smyth, Henriëtte Bosmans, Jennifer Higdon, Eve Beglarian, and Annea Lockwood.

Spanning more than a century of musical innovation, Breaking My Silence brings together composers whose works challenge convention, redefine artistic expression, and offer powerful perspectives that have too often remained at the margins of classical music history.

To learn more about Dr. Wang and her project, visit https://www.yiwangpiano.com/

08/13/2026

On This Date in 1950: The New York Times announces MSM’s newest degree program, one that will lead “to a Master of Music degree with a major in music education and is designed to meet the New York State requirements for public school music teaching.”

08/10/2026

Manhattan School of Music alumnus Charles B. Nelson, Jr. (MM ’54) (1931–2025) never forgot the nurturing training he received at the School, which enabled him to build a rich and rewarding life in music. Born and raised in Marion, Virginia, he developed a love for music early by playing in his high school’s concert band. He began his college career as a prize-winning composition major at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, transferring into The Juilliard School as a piano major to finish his undergraduate degree. He completed his Master’s in piano performance at MSM and went on to earn a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University. Charles pursued his passion for teaching, including positions at East Tennessee State College and the University of Dayton before serving as Director of Instrumental Music for Fairfax County, Virginia Public Schools for several decades.
Charles graciously remembered the School in his estate plans with a generous $300,000 bequest to endow the Charles B. Nelson, Jr. Classical Piano Scholarship, which will enable gifted young pianists whose financial means do not equal their exceptional musical gifts to receive the same personalized, in-depth training that he did. MSM is deeply grateful for Charles’s legacy, which will help to ensure that the School continues to provide exemplary training to aspiring young pianists of future generations.
Susan Madden, Vice President of Philanthropy, would be delighted to hear from any MSM alumni interested in following Charles’ example by establishing an endowed scholarship, or by leaving an unrestricted bequest to the School. Susan may be reached at [email protected] or at (917) 493-4115.

08/06/2026

On This Date in 2015: MSM Summer presents jazz and orchestral ensemble concerts featuring the young musicians aged 8 to 17 participating in the program, playing side by side with their instructors.

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Musical Theater alumna Alysia Velez (BM ’22) (pictured on left), who was named one of the 18 winners of the 2026 Princess Grace Awards. Nominated by MSM, Velez will receive the John Gore Theater Honor as one of five winners in the Theatre category. Established in 1982 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to honor the legacy of Princess Grace (née Grace Kelly), the award includes a $15,000 unrestricted cash grant.

Congratulations as well to alumna Mary Prescott (MM ’05) (pictured on right), who received one of eight 2026 Special Project Grants (and was a 2024 Princess Grace Award Winner). The Princess Grace Foundation supports and nurtures Princess Grace Award winners and Honoraria throughout their artistic journey, offering exclusive grants for significant projects that advance their artistic development.

Learn more: https://pgfusa.org/2026award/?_kx=qwzosG8ABAmYJDNVruW7-ujJPtH7F5z3n8-SWw_qfxY.RYdbMV

08/05/2026

Composer-songwriter Matt Siffert (MM ’15) opened for Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash at Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, Colorado in July, 2026, performing songs from his latest EP, "Magic of the New." Matt studied classical composition with Richard Danielpour at MSM.

Matt is also the Director of External Affairs at Musical Mentors Collaborative (MMC), an organization he joined in 2020 which received a $2 million charitable donation from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in July of 2026. The foundation serves under-resourced students across the United States. The collaborative includes musicians, educators, and university students; homeless shelters, supportive housing networks, and low-income Title I schools. MMC volunteers and teachers come from professions ranging from law and finance, to social work and arts-management.

To learn more about Matt: https://www.instagram.com/mattsiffert/
To learn more about MMC: https://musical-mentors.org/

07/30/2026

07/28/2026

Congratulations to MSM vocal arts alumnus Gerardo de la Torre (MM ’21) 👏🎶 (in photo on left, posing with MSM President Jim Gandre when he was a student at MSM): Gerardo performed the lead role in Verdi’s Falstaff in Monterrey, Mexico, earlier this month—his debut performing a title role in his hometown 😀 The production was presented at the Teatro De La Cuidad by the MOS Mexico Opera Studio. Dr. de la Torre was a visiting voice professor at MOS during the 2025-2026 season.