Alumni

Hunter Holbert (2020)

Hunter Holbert is pursuing a Master of Music Performance with a concentration in Violin Performance. He recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Appalachian State University in May of 2020. Hunter is a native of Western North Carolina, hailing from Hendersonville where he began his studies on the violin. One of his passions is playing music in an historically informed fashion. Once he graduates, Hunter hopes to play in a professional ensemble as well...

Alice Berry (2019)

Alice Berry is a board-certified music therapist who completed dual master’s degrees in Music Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She completed her music therapy clinical internship in hospice and bereavement and returned to school to extend her scope of practice to mental health work in the LGBTQ community. She is now working for Four Seasons Hospice in Flat Rock, NC. When not working, she can be found in the woods of Western North Carolina with a dog or two.

Allison Bishop (2019)

Pianist Allison Bishop received a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied with Dr. Joseph DiPiazza, Dr. Andrew Willis, and Dr. Inara Zandmane. Born in Raleigh, NC, Ms. Bishop began her piano studies at age 7 and from ages 13-18 studied at the Raleigh Music Conservatory with Ms. Anne Scoggin and Marilyn Brown, where prizes were won in the MTNA competition. After graduating, Ms. Bishop moved to Asheville to teach piano full-...

Hunter Cox (2019)

Hunter Cox is pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance. He recently graduated Summa Cum Lauda with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Music Education at Appalachian State University. Hunter began playing piano at the age of 12. In high school, Hunter studied piano with David Almond. He is a currently a student of Dr. Rodney Reynerson. Hunter taught as a piano instructor at the Appalachian State University Community Music School during his undergraduate studies and will...

Elizabeth Derrick (2019)

Elizabeth Derrick is from Little Mountain, South Carolina and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a concentration in Voice from Presbyterian College, located in Clinton, South Carolina in 2014. Elizabeth taught music at two title 1 public schools in Newberry, SC for the 2014-2015 academic year. While teaching music, Elizabeth experienced working with special education students, which re-sparked her previous interest in music therapy. She completed her clinical...

Lisl Doughton (2019)

Lisl Kuutti Doughton is pursuing a Master's in Cello Performance and is a member of the Hayes Graduate String Ensemble. She received her B.A. in Music and Art from Furman University in 2011. In addition to playing cello, Lisl is a colored pencil artist who incorporates original poems in her art. She has lived in Raleigh and Atlanta as well as Osaka, Japan, where she gave a solo recital and played in a community orchestra.

Kathryn Esposito (2019)

Kathryn Esposito is board-certified music therapist who completed the Equivalency/Master’s in Music Therapy. Kathryn graduated from the University of Vermont (UVM) in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Music and was actively involved in psychology research, piano performance, chamber music, and accompanying during her time there. Her studies led her to two musical and cultural immersion trips to India and Inner Mongolia, where she deepened her appreciation for world music....

Katie Komorek (2019)

Katie Komorek is a board-certified music therapist in her final year of the combined Master's and Equivalency degree in Music Therapy at Appalachian State University. She completed her internship with Seasons Hospice in Boston, Massachusetts. Katie received her Bachelor of Music degree in May, 2013 from North Carolina School of the Arts in Vocal Performance. Katie is a Mezzo-soprano who is originally from Raleigh, NC.

Taylor McCulloch (2019)

Taylor McCulloch is pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance. She graduated summa cum laude from Campbell University in 2016 with a BA in Piano Pedagogy. During her time at Campbell, she served an instrumental and vocal accompanist, pianist in the jazz ensemble, cellist in the chamber strings ensemble, and performed in multiple student composition recitals. She also has experience as a solo performer, an accompanist for musical theater, and a private piano teacher. Taylor is currently a...

Amy Mercier (2019)

Amy Mercier is a board-certified music therapist completing her Master of Music Therapy degree. She graduated from High Point University in High Point, NC in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance with a concentration in voice and a minor in psychology and completed her Equivalency at Appalachian State University. Originally from Westfield, Massachusetts, Amy is an avid singer, songwriter and pianist and also enjoys playing the guitar and drums. She hopes to combine her passion for...