Yet, when she walks through the School of Communications, she is not stopping by just to study in the Snow Family Grand Atrium; she is entering as editor-in-chief of Phi Psi Cli, �鶹��Ƶ’s student-run yearbook.

Catarius never planned to participate in student media. Her journey began with close friend Molly Moylan ’26, the former yearbook editor-in-chief, during a Winter Term study abroad experience.

“She just kind of talked about it all the time and was like, ‘Do you want to help?’ And I was like, ‘You know what? Sure, why not?’” Catarius said.

Catarius officially joined the staff late, just after Winter Term. She quickly discovered that creating a permanent record of an entire academic year was an ambitious challenge, particularly with a tight-knit crew of only six students

“If you know how much work a yearbook takes to actually interview people, write stories, design pages, do everything, it’s a job for a lot more than like six people. But we got it done, and it was great,” she said.

For Catarius, diving into a field completely separated from her coursework became an unexpected advantage for her.

“I think having something that is outside of my majors and minors is something I can fall back on, and I can have something to be creative with, which is really interesting,” Catarius said.

Leading an expansive 280-page publication has also allowed her to build real-world leadership and time-management skills, while balancing five classes, undergraduate research as an Honors Fellow and multiple student organizations.

“We have to be really organized all the time, and especially the way that we do our yearbook, there’s something every week for us to do,” Catarius said. “It’s also increased my leadership skills because being a leader in something so big and a physical piece of media that will live on beyond my lifetime is something I can’t say I do for a lot of my other classes or extracurriculars.”

Unlike daily or weekly campus news cycles, Phi Psi Cli captures �鶹��Ƶ’s story holistically, from student life and performing arts to traditions, athletics and spiritual life. Now, Catarius is focused on expanding the staff and inviting students from every major to leave their mark on university history.

“We want to try and make it so that everybody can do everything, but not that everybody has to do everything,” Catarius said.

Seeing the yearbook arrive on campus in September made every deadline worth the effort, and Catarius hopes more students take advantage of the hands-on opportunities waiting for them across campus.

“It’s really fun once you get into it and once you get into the flow of things, to see the book come together,” Catarius said. “It’s a nice way for people outside the School of Communications to be introduced to the school without a ton of pressure on them.”

For more than a decade, has built a reputation as one of Charlotte’s most trusted journalists, reporting on breaking news, holding public officials accountable, and keeping his community informed.

On Oct. 9, as part of the university’s Homecoming Weekend, the WSOC-TV reporter returned to his alma mater to receive the School of Communications’ 2026 Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Bruno, the 16th recipient of the honor, was recognized during the school’s Alumni Campus Connect gathering in Snow Family Grand Atrium, surrounded by students, faculty, staff and fellow graduates. Among those in attendance was retired journalism professor Rich Landesberg, Bruno’s longtime mentor, whose presence made the recognition especially meaningful.

.

Since graduating in 2014, Bruno has established himself as a leading voice in investigative journalism, earning Walter Cronkite, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia, Edward R. Murrow and George Polk awards, along with six Emmy Awards. He was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020, and his investigative reporting helped expose election fraud in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, drawing national attention.

“Without Rich and without this school, this kid from Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, would have never had any of these opportunities,” Bruno said during his acceptance remarks. “Thank you, �鶹��Ƶ, for everything you have given to me.”

In presenting the award, Communications Dean Kenn Gaither praised Bruno’s professional accomplishments and his commitment to the communities he serves.

“It is always gratifying to watch an �鶹��Ƶ graduate succeed, but there’s something particularly special about watching one of our own become such an important and trusted voice in the community he serves.”
– Dean Kenn Gaither

Gaither also highlighted Bruno’s continued connection to �鶹��Ƶ, noting the significance of honoring him in the same atrium where Bruno and fellow alumnus Gary Grumbach ’16 organized two years earlier.

“That day, Joe was here to honor someone who helped shape him,” Gaither said. “Today, in the very same space, we have the privilege of honoring Joe.”

The connection came full circle when Bruno, visibly moved, spotted Landesberg standing among the attendees and thanked the former professor for his guidance and friendship.

“I also could not have done any of this without my Rich Landesberg, who I consider a member of my family,” Bruno said. “You are a trusted adviser and friend, and you have made such an impact on my life and so many others.”

Gaither also shared praise from Landesberg, who described Bruno as one of the hardest-working students he had ever taught.

“He is tireless in his commitment to holding the powerful accountable and making sure the people of Charlotte know what is happening in and around their city,” Landesberg said.

At home at �鶹��Ƶ

During his acceptance remarks, Bruno recalled how his mother first introduced him to �鶹��Ƶ, a university unfamiliar to many in his hometown. But during a campus visit, he found himself drawn to the school’s student television studio, where the opportunity to gain hands-on broadcasting experience helped convince him �鶹��Ƶ was the right fit.

As a high school senior, Bruno began watching Phoenix 14News broadcasts, eager to join the student journalists he saw on screen. Once he arrived at �鶹��Ƶ, he quickly became involved in the student news organization, gaining on-air and production experience within weeks of starting college.

“The best thing about �鶹��Ƶ is I didn’t have to wait until my junior year to get involved,” he said. “I was able to hit the ground running right as a freshman.”

Equally influential were the relationships he developed with fellow student journalists. Bruno recalled an environment where students challenged and supported one another, united by their enthusiasm for reporting and serving their community.

“We never competed against each other. We rooted for each other,” he said, explaining that the collaborative spirit continues to shape how he approaches his work today.

Addressing current students, Bruno encouraged them to embrace their interests and make the most of the opportunities available at �鶹��Ƶ.

“Whether it’s about news, whether it’s about sports, whatever you do, keep that light under you and pursue what you are pursuing with all of your heart,” he said.

Alumni return to connect with students

Bruno’s recognition was a highlight of Alumni Campus Connect, an informal networking event where eight graduates shared career insights and advice with current students.

Dan Erdman ’06, vice president of creative media at WWE, drew a crowd of students interested in his work in sports entertainment. Nearby, students connected with Los Angeles-based actress, writer and producer Paige Hullett ’16 to discuss careers in Hollywood and Women of the �鶹��Ƶ Entertainment Empire (WEEE), the alumni organization she leads. Also returning to campus was recent graduate Anjolina Fantaroni ’26, now a reporter at WAFF 48 in Huntsville, Alabama, who offered a firsthand perspective on transitioning from �鶹��Ƶ to the professional newsroom.

Participating alumni included:

• Halle Brennan ’21, Sales Associate Manager, Amazon Ads
• Joe Bruno ’14, Reporter, WSOC-TV
• Dan Erdman ’06, Vice President of Creative Media, WWE
• Anjolina Fantaroni ’26, Reporter, WAFF 48
• Caroline Grell ’17, Program Manager of Product Development Program, Capital One
• Paige Hullett ’16, Los Angeles-based actress, writer, producer, president of Women of the �鶹��Ƶ Entertainment Empire
• Becky Lane ’95, Senior Vice President-Marketing Development Manager, Bank of America
• Sarah Stone Richter ’19, Growth Marketing Manager, Quantam Health

The annual recognition honors emerging public relations professionals making their mark on the industry in the early stages of their careers. For Gibson, the recognition gave her a chance to appreciate how much she and HCM have grown in a relatively short time.

“PRNEWS is one of the most respected platforms in the industry, so it’s an honor to be recognized,” Gibson said. “I’ve spent the past few years watching Hannah Cranston Media grow from a team of three to a team of more than 20, and most days I’m too deep in pitching and problem-solving to stop and think about how far we’ve come.”

While Gibson has built her career in public relations, many of the skills that guide her work today were developed through her experiences as a journalism major at �鶹��Ƶ.

The Honors Fellow was heavily involved with �鶹��Ƶ News Network as an anchor and multimedia journalist, while also participating other immersive experiences like FreshTV. Those opportunities helped establish a foundation in storytelling that she continues to draw upon while working on the public relations side of the media industry.

“�鶹��Ƶ gave me a passion for storytelling and a tenacious curiosity, both essential to my career,” Gibson said. “Working as a reporter and anchor with ENN taught me what it takes to build a good story, and what makes people actually connect with one – the human element has to come first.”

That journalism background, Gibson said, has proved especially valuable as she develops stories and works directly with reporters.

“It’s shaped how I think about what a good story looks like and made me a better resource to the journalists I work with today,” she said.

Following graduation, Gibson spent three years with Jennifer Bett Communications before joining HCM in early 2024 as senior manager of public relations. She was promoted to director of public relations and business development six months later.

In her current position, Gibson oversees the agency’s consumer packaged goods, women’s health and wellness client roster, with responsibilities spanning client strategy and media relations. Her work can range from developing pitch strategies with colleagues to staffing events with reporters and cultivating media relationships. “My job changes shape depending on the week – which is one of the best parts,” she said.

Gibson credits much of her professional growth to learning the importance of surrounding herself with people committed to their work and to one another.

“Bet on people over playbooks. In an industry built on relationships, we can teach anyone to write a pitch or find the right story – but working alongside people who are passionately determined and hungry to see their teams succeed is an irreplaceable, unteachable quality.”

– Amanda Gibson ’21

Gibson also points to retired �鶹��Ƶ faculty members Rich Landesberg and Glenn Scott as influential mentors. She credits Landesberg with instilling a respect for journalism’s ability to serve communities, an outlook that has influenced the brands and people she chooses to work with. Her research with Scott examining how stories are told around major events also continues to inform her approach to identifying stories and perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked.

Those lessons, along with the relationships she developed during her undergraduate years, remain important to Gibson five years after graduating.

“Beyond the classroom, the friendships and mentors I found at �鶹��Ƶ continue to be a bedrock of both my life and my career,” Gibson said, “I’m endlessly grateful for my time Under the Oaks.”

As digital editor at WUSA-TV, a CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C., Rosenthal handles a wide range of responsibilities, from writing for the station’s website and producing social media content to gathering sources and reporting in the field. The journalism major said she fell in love with news reporting when she was in high school, which led her to apply to �鶹��Ƶ.

“I joined my high school newspaper club in ninth grade, and it was the 2016 election season,” Rosenthal recalled. “There was a ton of news, and I got the ‘news bug,’ and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

At �鶹��Ƶ, Rosenthal found opportunities through student media to develop her reporting skills outside the classroom.

“I feel like the hands-on experience that I got working with my peers and friends, and actually going out and doing reporting, and putting together a paper every week showed me more of the skills that I use on a day-to-day,” Rosenthal said.

She also credits The Pendulum’s critique sessions with teaching her how to receive feedback and use it to improve her work.

“You don’t need to qualify a mistake or qualify a reason why you did this or that,” Rosenthal said. “What I learned so much from critique was how to take feedback and move forward and use that in the next piece. Now I’m somebody who asks for feedback all the time because, I think, in part, because of those critiques.”

Those lessons have followed Rosenthal into her professional career. Earlier this year, she spent three weeks covering a murder trial in Fairfax, Virginia, an assignment she described as a significant learning experience.

“My station sent me to a murder trial in January, and I spent three weeks covering a very high-profile case every day in court, and that has been a huge learning and teaching moment for me,” Rosenthal said. “I feel like I learned so much from covering this trial, especially as somebody who has covered many court hearings and smaller things.”

For current �鶹��Ƶ students interested in journalism, Rosenthal recommends getting involved in student media early and pursuing the subjects that interest them.

“My biggest advice is to be involved in student journalism,” she said. “Just start doing stories and meeting people and doing things that are out of your comfort zone. When I was at �鶹��Ƶ, I was interested in courts. I would go to the courthouse in Graham to pick up court documents for stories, and go to the police station, and pick up crime numbers, and things like that. If there’s something that you’re interested in, just start doing it.”

Like Rosenthal, Phengsitthy discovered her love of writing through her high school newspaper, where she served as editor-in-chief. She brought that interest to �鶹��Ƶ, double majoring in Communication Design (now Visual Communication) and Media Analytics while becoming heavily involved with �鶹��Ƶ News Network.

“I’ve always been a writer,” Phengsitthy said. “I know that people don’t really like talking about high school when they talk about their experience, but high school is when I really started.”

Phengsitthy served as design chief of The Pendulum during her sophomore year and managing editor as a junior. She credits those experiences with providing the foundation for her professional journalism career.

Everything I did in �鶹��Ƶ News Network is what set me up for my journalism experience today. I joke with my friends that ENN was like my third degree in college because I got so much done and learned so much there. From just writing every single day, that’s what helped me get better.

— Nyah Phengsitthy ’23

While at �鶹��Ƶ, Phengsitthy interned with Bloomberg Law on its environment desk. Following graduation, she returned to the organization through a rotational program and now works as a health reporter. In that role, she has covered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, drug pricing and other complex issues affecting the pharmaceutical and health care industries.

Her work at Bloomberg Law requires reporting on complex subjects, but Phengsitthy said young journalists shouldn’t feel pressure to become experts on every topic they cover. Instead, they should focus on developing the skills necessary to find knowledgeable sources, understand complicated information and explain it clearly to readers.

“Be an expert in being a reporter and writing and learning how to break down information for your readers,” Phengsitthy said.

Phengsitthy also encourages �鶹��Ƶ students to complement their campus journalism experience with internships that allow them to apply their skills in professional settings.

“You can have all the skills, and you can have all the clips that you have from ENN, but it’s more powerful if you go and get to apply them somewhere else,” she said, noting the value of internships. “The more experience you have, the better.

“The job market is really hard right now, but I feel like if you’re able to show that you can get your foot in the door somewhere, that’s good.”

SPJ’s Region 2 includes Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia. First-place recipients advance to the national competition, where they will be judged alongside winners from SPJ’s 12 regions. National honorees will be recognized at the SPJ convention, scheduled for Oct. 1–4 in Columbus, Ohio.

�鶹��Ƶ News Network earned seven first-place awards:

• Best All-Around Student Newspaper | The Pendulum | April 9, 2025; April 30, 2025; and Dec. 10, 2025 editions
• General News Reporting | Nia Bedard |
• In-depth Reporting | Anjolina Fantaroni |
• Feature Photography | Katrina Holtz | 
• Television Feature Reporting | Charlotte Pfabe | 
• Regional Political Reporting | Miles Hayford | and
• Retail/Small Business Journalism | Lilly Molina | and

In addition, the organization earned five finalist nods:

• Best Affiliated Website | �鶹��Ƶ News Network | 
• Best All-Around Television Newscast | ENN Tonight | ����徱�پ��Dz�
• Best Use of Multimedia | Erin Martin |
• Personality Profile Writing | Avery Sloan |
• Sports Writing | Miles Hayford |

A Virginia resident majoring in communication design, Wu grew up in the DaXing area near the capital city until age 12 and has closely followed efforts to clean up the LiangShui (Cold Water) River.

Judges for the Pulitzer Fellowship, a competitive international travel grant awarded to an �鶹��Ƶ student journalist each year, noted that Wu’s proposal stood out for its background research and on-the-ground context.

A fluent Mandarin speaker with his own photography business, Wu noted that while air pollution in China receives much attention, less coverage has been given to water quality and to the impact of factory effluent, agricultural runoff, and untreated waste on the region’s rivers, lakes and groundwater. Wu believes much has changed since the conditions he observed in his childhood, when waterways were filled with algae blooms and litter.

“This is an example of when a community and its officials reach an agreement to improve a crucial resource to their well-being and actually work out a beneficial solution,” he said. “However, there are so many towns, especially rural ones, that lack the power, voice or physical ability to improve something as important as a shared waterway.”

�鶹��Ƶ is a long-standing member of the , a network of colleges and universities that support the center’s mission to promote journalism on critical global issues. The organization pairs students with mentors and advises student journalists through the reporting and publication phases. Students from the 39 participating campuses travel to Washington, D.C., to present their projects, and campus partners also benefit from professional journalist grantees who visit partner campuses.

Among his professors and collaborators at �鶹��Ƶ News Network, Wu has earned a reputation for being open to a variety of assignments and for his technical dexterity, said Randy Piland, associate teaching professor in Communication Design.

“Ethan’s always willing to take on any photo assignment,” Piland said. “He has a sense for quality. He’s taken it to another level.”

Lorraine Ahearn, assistant professor of journalism, serves as �鶹��Ƶ’s liaison to the Pulitzer Center.

Now a junior journalism major, Pfabe has been elected the executive director of �鶹��Ƶ News Network for the 2026-27 academic year. Her path to the top leadership spot was a fast one, starting with a variety of roles in broadcast, web, and print. By the spring of her first year, she was already helping others get started as a new member coordinator.

“I helped new students get acclimated to ENN, responded to emails, and acted like I knew what I was doing,” Pfabe said.

Her passion for the craft actually goes back to her childhood. While she briefly considered psychology because she loved learning why people act the way they do, she realized journalism was a better way to learn others’ stories. She did morning announcements in elementary school and even acted as a reporter for Junior Achievement BizTown, which combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town.

“I think local news is one of the pillars of local community and society,” Pfabe said. “People trust their local news more than they trust their national news. There is such a value in having people that are constantly around and making those connections to tell stories, especially ones that don’t get told often.”

Pfabe finds inspiration in local reporters she grew up watching in Baltimore, like investigative reporter David Collins. She recalled being starstruck when she finally met him during an internship. She also looks up to �鶹��Ƶ alumni who started exactly where she is now, such as Gary Grumbach ’16, a legal affairs reporter for NBC News, and Maya Eaglin ’19, an on-air reporter for MSNOW.

“They started where we’re starting, and their �鶹��Ƶ education helped them get there,” Pfabe said. “That is so phenomenal.”

As she looks toward her new role, Pfabe wants to shift the focus toward community-facing initiatives. She plans to lead ENN in more outreach and volunteer events throughout Burlington and Graham to build relationships that are not just transactional.

“You’re going, and you’re volunteering in your community. You’re doing good, and you’re not getting a story out of it,” Pfabe said. “You’re just doing something for the community.”

Transparency is another major goal for the upcoming year. Pfabe said she wants to break down the mystery of how news is made and show the campus that the staff is juggling many responsibilities at once.

“There is this idea that we are journalists first and students second, but we’re journalists and students at the same time,” Pfabe said. “We are still learning, and we’re still doing schoolwork at the same time as we’re doing our stories. We have classes with the same people we’re interviewing.”

Inspired by real-world stories about the high-stakes race for valedictorian, student filmmakers and spent the past several years bringing to life “Valediction,” a feature-length film set to premiere on Wednesday, April 8, in .

A twisted coming-of-age comedy, this first-ever feature film by �鶹��Ƶ undergraduates explores the dangers of apathy and obsession. The screening, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m., will be followed by an informal reception.

“I think people should be excited for the screening because it’s the culmination of so many �鶹��Ƶ students and faculty’s hard work over these past two and a half years,” said Martin, a strategic communications and cinema and television arts double major. “No matter your major, you will almost certainly see a familiar face or two onscreen or in the credits.”

What began as a concept rooted in academic pressure quickly expanded into a genre-bending, feature-length production – an uncommon scope for undergraduate filmmakers. Sherouse, a cinema and television arts BFA major, and Martin collaborated to develop an intricate story and cast of characters, ultimately committing to a longer format to fully realize their vision.

At the center of their story is Sam, played by , an isolated overachiever who fights her classmates tooth and nail for the title of valedictorian. The film draws inspiration from the competition surrounding academic achievement, a dynamic explored in Margaret Talbot’s 2005 New Yorker article that examines how the pursuit of valedictorian status can push students to extremes. Sherouse said he read the article years ago, and the subject stayed with him long after.

“To include everything we wanted in the story, it became clear to us that ‘Valediction’ had to be feature-length, rather than a short film like most �鶹��Ƶ productions,” Sherouse said. “We knew it would be a long and arduous process, but worth it to bring this story to life.”

That extended scope also shaped how the story is told. A balance of satire and suspense drives the film’s tone, blending humor with unexpected twists.

“‘Valediction’ is simply a movie that’s meant to be seen by a large audience,” Sherouse said. “There are laughs, scares and shocking turns – a whole emotional rollercoaster that’s best experienced with friends. I guarantee there are some twists you won’t see coming.”

As the premiere approaches, the scale of that effort is giving way to reflection.

Martin expressed pride in what the team accomplished and excitement to share the finished film, while Sherouse acknowledged the mix of anticipation and nerves that comes with completing a nearly three-year creative process.

Produced through , “Valediction” drew on support from faculty across campus.

Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Kai Swanson served as the project’s primary faculty sponsor, while Director of Technology, Operations and Multimedia Projects Bryan Baker and Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Youssef Osman provided mentorship and feedback throughout development and production. Baker also assisted with securing equipment for principal photography.

Faculty also stepped into the story itself. Several faculty members appear in the film, including Assistant Professor of Journalism Israel Balderas, Assistant Professor of Classical Languages Tedd Wimperis, Associate Professor of English Scott Proudfit and former journalism professor Susan Ladd – many trying their hand at acting for the first time.

Several mentors praised the students’ ambition and execution in bringing a feature-length film to the screen.

“I had the chance to see a rough cut and was very impressed with their ability, passion and perseverance in completing an entire feature film on their own,” Osman said. “The film is a fun, highly stylized and engaging dark comedy.”

Swanson noted that the project originated as a student pitch and has grown into ESTV’s first made-for-TV movie.

“The students have put an incredible amount of work into this project, from development through production and post,” Swanson said. “It’s a great example of the kind of ambitious, long-form work students are starting to pursue.”

Credits

Roof Rat Productions (creative team)

• Talula Martin – co-director, co-writer, producer, actress
• Hammond Sherouse – co-director, co-writer
• Althea Muldrew – producer
• Katharyn MacDonald – lead actress, associate producer

Crew

• JJ Duckworth – production sound mixer, actor
• Karter Evans – makeup artist
• Lauren Nesbit – costume designer
• Gabi Emerson & B Underhill-Reed – composers

Cast

• Katharyn MacDonald – Sam
• Hope Hynes Love – Eliza (Sam’s mother)
• Jeff Alguire – Dr. Whistler (Sam’s father)
• Grace Minton – Deidre (Sam’s friend)
• JJ Duckworth – Ben (politician)
• Monty Lewis – Henry (student reporter)
• Amelia Brinson – Abe (theater kid)
• Graham Boggess – Nate (jock)
• Ryan Voisard – Charlie (stranger)
• Susan Ladd – Mrs. Garden (psychology teacher)
• Hank Heimlich – Seth (theater kid)
• Talula Martin – Jeremy (theater kid)
• J. Israel Balderas – Mr. Haruspex (principal)
• Jackson Bennett – Patrick (student reporter)
• Maverick Powell – Nora (student reporter)
• Rose Fyffe – Sarah (theater kid)
• Tedd Wimperis – Dr. Franklin (scientist)
• Wrigley Koch – Ms. Burnesse (guidance counselor)
• Scott Proudfit – Dr. Miles (scientist)

�鶹��Ƶ News Network earned 11 awards during the National College Media Conference hosted by the Associated Collegiate Press in San Francisco, March 5-7.

The awards contest included hundreds of entries from college media outlets from across the country. Below is a list of the �鶹��Ƶ winners.

• Finalist – Online Pacemaker | Staff |
• 2nd Place – Best of Show Broadcast | “ENN Tonight” |
• 2nd Place – Best of Show Newspaper | The Pendulum |
• 4th Place – Best of Show Digital Newsletter | �鶹��Ƶ News Network Weekly Newsletter |
• 6th Place – Best of Show Website |
• 6th Place – Best of Show News Story | Lilly Molina and Charlotte Pfabe |
• 10th Place – Best of Show Sports Story | Benjamin Berfield |
• 8th Place – Best of Show Feature Story | Charlotte Pfabe |
• 6th Place – Best of Show Newspaper Design | Sarah T. Moore |
• 7th Place – Best of Show Broadcast News Story | Anjolina Fantaroni | “
• 10th Place – Best of Show Broadcast Sports Story | Monika Jurevicius | “

�鶹��Ƶ students attending the National College Media Convention conference included Evan Cooper ’28, Trista Panagakos ’28, Megan Walsh ’28 and Nolan Williams ’28. They were accompanied by Kelly Furnas, senior lecturer in journalism and ENN adviser.

ENN is a student-run news organization covering �鶹��Ƶ and the broader Alamance County community. It includes The Pendulum newspaper, “ENN Tonight” broadcast, elonnewsnetwork.com website, as well as social media accounts, podcasts and newsletters. regardless of their experience level, major or year in school.

Now a journalism and Spanish double major at �鶹��Ƶ, Vann will join with dozens of fellow �鶹��Ƶ musicians for a Wind Ensemble performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, a moment that will reflect her musical growth and commitment to balancing two distinct passions.

That performance takes place on March 11 as part of a showcase ensemble for the 24th Annual New York Wind Band Festival.

Vann, a Phoenix Band Scholar and member of the Fire of the Carolinas marching band from Siler City, North Carolina, played in a high school band. With only three clarinets, one musician per part, she was used to being the only one playing a section of a piece. In the �鶹��Ƶ wind ensemble, there are multiple clarinets playing per part.

“I learned to be extremely aware of myself and how I sound,” Vann said of her 15-member high school band. “There wasn’t much balance or blend because we were all focused on ourselves. But I’m grateful for that experience because it helped me figure out my specific sound and establish strong practice habits.”

Transitioning from a small band to �鶹��Ƶ’s 50-member wind ensemble taught her how to balance and blend in her section.

“The first thing I realized was how big the sound was here,” Vann said. “I was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about music. Our director focuses so much on the little details. In high school, we focused more on the bigger picture. Here, everyone is working in harmony to create something beautiful.”

Combining two passions

While music is a passion, Vann is not a music major. She studies journalism and Spanish and serves as a copy editor and reporter for , juggling interviews and deadlines with rehearsals and performances.

She credits �鶹��Ƶ’s opportunities for allowing her to continue performing while pursuing a non-music degree.

“I love how �鶹��Ƶ gives students who aren’t music majors the opportunity to participate in ensembles,” Vann said. “If they didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love.”

Her decision to continue playing was inspired by the Phoenix Band Scholarship. After taking a year off from playing the clarinet during her senior year of high school, she realized how much she missed performing.

“I decided to do it because I missed playing so much,” Vann said. “I am really happy I did. I have met so many people who share a passion for music.”

Jonathan Poquette, �鶹��Ƶ’s Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar and director of bands, said he is intentional about welcoming any �鶹��Ƶ student, regardless of major, to participate in music ensembles.

“As a faculty, we enjoy working with students who are passionate about making music, even if they are not music majors,” Poquette said. “The fact that so many of our students are non-music majors, and yet we can achieve tremendous experiences like this, is what makes �鶹��Ƶ so special.”

Performing on the big stage

When Vann first learned the wind ensemble would perform at Carnegie Hall, she described it as “a roller coaster of emotions.”

“At first I was completely shocked, then excited, then nervous,” Vann said. “I felt a sense of pressure, but it was a good kind of pressure, the kind that pushes you to be the best musician you can be.”

Performing at Carnegie Hall represents nearly a decade of dedication and practice.

“It’s hard to believe I’m going to be on the best stage in the world, where so many legends have performed,” Vann said. “All the time and effort I’ve spent practicing since sixth grade has led to this moment.”

While she has not visited Carnegie Hall before, she is eager to step on the stage alongside her bandmates.

“I think I will feel everything, excitement, nerves and adrenaline,” Vann said. “But we’ve practiced so hard, and I know we are ready. I’m just going to take it all in.”

As she prepares for the trip to New York City, Vann is looking forward to sharing the experience with her band family.

“This will definitely be a core memory for me,” Vann said. “Each member of the ensemble is vital. It wouldn’t be the same without every single one of them, and Dr. Poquette has worked so hard to make this a reality.”

Beyond �鶹��Ƶ, Vann said she hopes to one day report and write for a publication and tell stories she is passionate about. She also hopes to pursue translation work with her education in Spanish.

“Music will always be a part of my life and is another way to express myself,” she said. “I can’t imagine not doing music. Wherever I end up, I hope to join a community band or orchestra to keep refining my skills.”