Cierra Gomez, one of the Mishler Scholarship winners who will perform at the Feb. 24 recital, sings the national anthem at the 2017 Highlands main campus commencement ceremony. Photo: Margaret McKinney/University Relations
Las Vegas, N.M. – Eleven of Highlands University’s top music students will perform in a free recital February 24 at 3 p.m. in the Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave.
The program for the Thomas Mishler Scholarship Recital includes a wide variety of musical selections, ranging from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to Frédéric Chopin and Giacomo Puccini to Oscar Hammerstein.
Department of Music faculty member Andre García-Nuthmann, who directs the vocal program at Highlands, will be the piano accompanist for the vocalists.
“Our music students really benefit from this scholarship recital opportunity because it helps them grow as artists and musicians,” García-Nuthmann said. “They are all experienced performers. The community is in for a musical treat.”
The music students auditioned for the annual scholarship. The recipients who will perform include Kaaren Rougeux, pianist; Cassidy Kear, soprano vocalist; Oksana Herrera, soprano vocalist; Janie Chavez, soprano vocalist; Cierra Gomez, alto vocalist; Mighty Williams, pianist; Reyes Montoya, tenor vocalist; Donacinio Vigil, tenor vocalist; Susan Martínez, pianist; Marion Carrillo, baritone vocalist; and Dominique García-Gallegos, soprano vocalist.
The Feb. 24 music recital is free; however, donations are appreciated. Proceeds will benefit the Thomas Mishler Scholarship fund.
The scholarship is in honor of the late Thomas Mishler, a gifted musician who played both trumpet and guitar. His parents, Robert and Ann Mishler, established the scholarship to encourage Highlands University students in their pursuit of music.
“This recital is always a wonderful celebration in memory of Thomas Mishler,” García-Nuthmann said.
The Mishlers are longtime Las Vegas residents. Robert is a retired Highlands University anthropology professor who was first named distinguished Professor Emeritus in 2010. Ann is a piano instructor and accompanist.