Featured Alumni
Dr. Mark Rhoads
Biola music alumnus Dr. Mark Rhoads graduated from Biola with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, choral emphasis, in 1972. A master’s degree in choral conducting was earned from Cal State University, Fullerton, in 1980, and Mark received his DMA in music education and choral conducting from University of Oregon in 1990.
Dr. Calvin Dyck
Violinist Calvin Dyck graduated from Biola in 1985 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance. Following his undergraduate work at Biola, Dr. Dyck completed a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from University of Southern California in 1988, and a DMA from USC in Violin Performance, with minors in choral conducting, music history and music education in 1991.
Alumni Highlights
David Kirkwood (‘04, BM Voice Performance) and wife Cordelia (Lam - ‘04 Piano Performance) both graduated with their MM in performance in 2006 from Peabody Conservatory. Cordelia is teaching private lessons at a prestigious girls’ school called Garrison Forest School, and David has been singing with the Baltimore Opera and Wolf Trap Opera choruses. He will begin his DMA at Peabody in the Fall.
Jeff Seppala (‘04, BM Voice Performance) had a busy year which will continue into the summer as he prepares for a new baby, and plans moving to Bighamton, New York, to be a resident artist with Tri-Cities Opera. The move will be a good opportunity to get major roles, while taking private lessons in the city.
Shannon (Aucutt) Malkowski (‘02, BM Cello Performance) married Konrad Malkowski on December 23rd, 2006, at the Eisenhower All-Faith Chapel at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Shannon graduated with a MA in musicology from Penn State in 2005, and works for Lamar Publishing House as the coordinator of marketing and communications. Currently, the couple lives in State College, PA, where Konrad, a native of Poland, is finishing his PhD in Computer Science and Engineering at Penn State.
Jessica Howard (‘05, BM Voice Performance) finished her MM on May 18th, and received the Richard F. Gold Career Grant from her school, The Manhattan School of Music, which awards several thousand dollars and continued help as one’s career progresses. Jessica also placed in the Metropolitan Opera Competition, Philadelphia District. She also received an Encouragement Award at the Metropolitan Opera Competition, Middle Atlantic Regionals. Jessica will be going to Boston University Opera Institute this fall on full scholarship and stipend. She will participate in the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara this summer.