Master of Music Alumni Spotlights
Click on each graduate’s name below to view their full profile and learn more about how Carthage prepared them for their career.
G. Thomas Allen
Class Year: M.M. ’23
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Job:
Associate Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music
“Carthage gave me the space to explore voice science, laying the groundwork for developing my own methodology.”
Franco Basili
Class Year: M.M. ’22
Majors: Master of Music in Music Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Woodland Hills, California
Job:
Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at California Lutheran University
“It is my role as a conductor to serve the needs of everyone in the room and serve the music.”
Brianna Borger
Class Year: ’22
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
Job:
Assistant Professor of Instruction & Academic Advisor at Northwestern University
“I utilize the vocal pedagogy knowledge I learned at Carthage with my private voice students daily!”
Raven Dockery
Class Year: ’20
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Job:
Performer with Skylight Music Theatre, Private Voice Instructor, Vocal Director at Shorewood High School, Hairstylist at Great Clips in Shorewood, Freelance Hairstylist/Makeup Artist
“I am a better vocal director because of my education, and I am a more equipped teacher.”
Tiantian Dong
Class Year: M.M. ’20
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: China
Job:
Self-employed Voice Teacher
“I like being able to share things I learned from the artists at Carthage and being able to help Chinese musical theatre students fulfill their dreams.”
Rita Gentile
Class Year: M.Ed. ’17, M.M. ’20
Majors: Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Job:
Choir Director at Kenosha Unified School District/Lance Middle Schoo, Music Director at Kenosha Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Owner/Voice Instructor at Kenosha RG Performing Arts Studio
“Professor Corinne Ness also played a vital part in my time at Carthage. She is a constant mentor, supportive problem-solver, and expert colleague who I often turn to for both musical and career advice.”
Emily Harmon
Class Year: M.M. ’21
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Job:
Director of Well-Being at Elevate Consulting
“After graduating from Carthage, my career has been creatively fulfilling, mentally engaging, and emotionally satisfying.”
Winter Olamina
Class Year: ’18, M.M. ’21
Majors: Music Theatre (B.A.); M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Job:
Freelance Artist
“The culture of Carthage is very eclectic. The environment encourages students to think beyond themselves as ‘one thing.’”
Kristen Singer
Class Year: ’20
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Job:
Instructor at Harborside Academy; director of Kenosha Youth Performing Arts Company (KYPAC); freelance music director in the Milwaukee/Chicago area.
“The art of collaborating with other people to tell stories that are important, entertaining, and thought-provoking brings me great joy and satisfaction.”
Deonte Warren
Class Year: M.M. ’21
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Job:
Assistant Professor of Practice at Texas State University
“I use everything I learned at Carthage in my current position. The M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy program prepared me thoroughly for life as an academic and continues to be an invaluable resource!”
Kevin Wehrhahn
Class Year: M.M. ’23
Majors: M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Morristown, New Jersey
Job:
Freelance Performer, Music Director, and Voice Teacher
“Sharing the joy of the arts with my students and audiences alike has filled my life with meaning.”
Xiaomin Zhang
Class Year: ’19
Majors: Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Shanghai, China
Job:
Music Theatre Actress; Academic Leader of Music Theatre, Music Department