Following their first-ever JUNO Award nomination, sisters Lauren DeLeary (a 2014 Belmont School of Music graduate) and Brooke DeLeary of the faith-forward pop duo LOVECOLLIDE were honored by The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) recently with the 2019 Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year JUNO Award.
The duo’s award-winning album, Tired Of Basic, released April 13, 2018 on ABS Entertainment, LLC with global distribution through The Fuel Music.
The JUNO Awards ceremony for Canada’s biggest night in music was held in London, ON, was hosted by Sarah McLachlan, and broadcast live across the country on CBC, CBC Radio One, CBC Music and more.
In addition to LOVECOLLIDE, Lauren is releasing her own music in the next few months, is active with her YouTube Channel and her podcast with her husband, Adam Budnick, “Let’s Talk Abut It with Lauren and Adam.”
For the past seven weeks, 19 Belmont nursing students participated in a summer internship program called Vanderbilt Experience: Student Nurse Internship Program (VESNIP) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) along with students from four other regional nursing programs.
Two nursing students were awarded the highest honors at the culminating awards ceremony held Wednesday, June 26. VUMC identifies those individuals who aspire to excellence and expert performance by exhibiting the following behaviors: making those they serve their highest priority, conducting themselves professionally, respecting others’ confidentiality, communicating effectively, having a sense of ownership, and a commitment to colleagues. The identified individuals are recognized with Credo Awards, which are based on feedback from nurse preceptors, nurse educators and the entire healthcare team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Belmont nursing student Emily Beck received the Credo award in the Pediatric Track while fellow Belmont student Caitlin Turner received the Credo Award in the Women’s Heath Track.
This is the 15th year of the VESNIP program. The program began as a partnership between Belmont School of Nursing and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It has now expanded to a total of 60+ students from four area nursing schools.
The VESNIP positions are very competitive and are considered elite opportunities for students from around the region. Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. Leslie Folds states, “Our students are exceptional and represent Belmont’s values throughout this program. I was extremely impressed by not only the students’ professionalism, but their ability to engage in critical thinking, reflection and incorporation of evidence-based research to the clinical setting. The feedback received from nurse preceptors as well as the entire health care team at VUMC was overwhelmingly positive.”
All 2019 VESNIP
participants from Belmont University are pictured below as well as a picture
with the Credo Winners.
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation recently awarded the Pollock Prize for Creativityto Belmont alumnusTodd Williamson. The $50,000 award will be directed towards Williamson’s exhibition Processional, a solo installation on view during the 58th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, May 9 through November 24, 2019.
In partnership with MAK Center for
Art and Architecture and curated by MAK Executive Director Priscilla Fraser, Processional
will be presented at the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà, located on Riva
degli Schiavoni between St. Mark’s Square and the entrance to the Arsenale.
Williamson’s eight large-scale canvases will be displayed on the walls of a
narrow chapel and will interact with the 18th-century church’s classically proportioned interior,
challenging perceived order and tradition. The exhibition will explore
contemporary influencers and thought leaders such as Barack Obama, Steve Jobs,
and Nelson Mandela. It will also feature a sound room in the entry vestibule,
with music that will be a harmonic nocturne created in collaboration with
Professor Greg Walter from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
The annual Pollock Prize for Creativity, created to honor the artistic legacies of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, is given to an artist whose work embodies high creative standards and has a substantial impact on individuals and society.
Established in 1985 through the
generosity of Lee Krasner, the Foundation provides grants to artists that allow
them to create new work. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded $75
million to 4,500 artist grantees in 77 countries. These grants can be used by
artists to create new work, rent studio space and prepare exhibitions.
Williamson, an American artist based
in California whose work has been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, Milan,
Naples, and Tokyo, has been part of the California school of abstraction and
was the recipient of a 2010 Pollock-Krasner Grant.
“Todd Williamson is a gifted artist who, with curator Priscilla Fraser, has created an innovative installation,” said Ronald D. Spencer, Chairman and CEO of Pollock-Krasner Foundation. “The Venice Biennale provides a wonderful platform for Todd to show his work on an international stage. We are delighted to help support his exhibition, because fostering new work and the development of visual artists is central to the Foundation’s mission.”
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation with the Pollock Prize for Creativity. The award provides invaluable support for my work in Venice, allowing me to focus on the creation of my art,” said Todd Williamson. “I am grateful to the Foundation for their generous support.”
Williamson’s concept for Processional interplays with the Chiesa di Santa Maria Della Pietà’s classical design. Occupying the long, narrow chapel located to the side of the Church, the space will invite a meditative, sequential process of reflection. Drawing from the formal proportions, material richness, and dramatic natural light of the site, Williamson has developed a series of works to encourage contemplation yet challenge the perceived order. The eight-painting installation will offer a new layer to the deep patina of aging plaster and brick, establishing a rich, and continuous monochromatic palette.
The recently opened Frederick Hart Studio Museum was featured in the August 2019 issue of Fine Art Connoisseur, which serves art collectors and enthusiasts with articles about representational paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints — both historical and contemporary, American and European.
The article notes that the “handsome facility… brings alive Hart’s belief that art ‘must be an enriching, ennobling and vital partner in the public pursuit of civilization.'”
For ten days, students from around the world gathered at
Belmont for an intensive research project on the music industry in partnership
with Universal Music. Belmont students, along with peers from China, Norway and
Australia, used the “Global Perspectives in the Music Business” study abroad
course as an intercultural, hands-on experience to work on an industry project.
The experience started last summer at the Australian College
of the Arts (Collarts). This year, Dr. David Schreiber, chair of Belmont’s Creative
and Entertainment Industries program, organized the course and hosted the
experience at Belmont.
“This is really a first-of-its-kind collaboration. Belmont
has a pipeline project which works with the industry to do research over the
summer, and we tried to take that and bring it into this experience,” said
Schreiber. “I’m excited that our students are able to participate in this
opportunity, especially since our industry is one that continues to rely on
global perspectives and international collaborations.”
Last year’s group worked more loosely with Mushroom Music
and LiveNation in Melbourne. This year, there were more parameters and
structure as the mutually beneficial partnership with Universal Music aimed to
provide the company with international market perspectives.
Mike Harris, COO of Universal Music Nashville, speaks to “Global Perspectives” Class about music business in Nashville
Mike Harris, COO of Universal Music Nashville, charged the
group with researching how YouTube videos – official, unofficial and lyric
videos – influence music consumption. Students looked at different ways to
optimize and strategize investment in music videos and examined which
strategies have been successful around the world.
The student teams developed research and analyzed case
studies before presenting their findings to Harris. According to their major
takeaways, official music videos generate the most traction, views and
engagement. Therefore, they suggested that Universal Music spend less money on
behind-the-scenes type footage. Consumers want personal, relatable content, and
although personal content garners the least amount of views, it has the highest
engagement rate. Influencer collaborations and even cameos are wildly popular;
earlier is better when it comes to release timing; and the Chinese market is
way ahead of the United States on livestreaming.
Harris said he was blown away at the good work produced by
the students.
Schreiber said the biggest difference this year was inviting
the Norwegian students to join the class. “It’s neat to have that European
perspective we were missing last year,” he said. “The idea was to have a representative
from each continent there. When the students arrived, they all gave a lecture
on their industry from their country of origin. They worked in
interdisciplinary cultural teams for the project, so they’re all learning from
each other.”
“Global Perspectives in the Music Business” students present their findings
Before the week began, all three of the international
faculty members indicated they wanted their students to build long-lasting relationships
and learn from each other.
Jess Carroll, program coordinator of entertainment
management at Collarts, said, “They all want to have careers in the music
industry so it is important to build those connections and have a stronger
understanding of international perspectives and intercultural awareness.”
Norwegian Assistant Professor Ola Haampland said his
students anticipated how they would have to adapt to the new situation before
they arrived. “I am sure they will be able to see new cultural aspects here,”
he said. “China is very different from the U.S., and again the U.S. is very
different from Norway. It’s going to be very interesting to observe their
takeaways.”
“Global Perspectives in the Music Business” present their findings
Chinese Professor Hao Zhang agreed. “I really hope they will reach out to the students from other countries to learn about American culture because my students only have an abstract concept about American freedoms, for example. I really want them to talk with the other students about social topics but also deep cultural topics,” she said. “And, it would be fantastic if they could accomplish some good academic research while they are here.”
The week wrapped up successfully and the international colleagues are already planning to potentially extend the experience in China next summer.
Belmont O’More interior design alumni Evan Millard, Betsy Trabue and Lauren Moore–partners in Modern Remains interior design studio–were recently selected to contribute with other designers to House Beautiful magazine’s second annual Whole Home Concept Housein Nashville.
Millard said, “We are humbled and thankful for the chance to not only design one room but three. While we’ve individually been designing for some time, we didn’t expect to have this opportunity so shortly after coming together as Modern Remains. To be included amongst some of the top in our industry is truly an honor.”
The nearly 6,000 sq. ft. home will be constructed in the English Arts and Crafts style and created in partnership with Castle Homes. Other designers involved in the project include Amy Berry, Barclay Butera, Joy Huber and Rachel Haag of Castle Homes, Chenault James, Dani Arps, Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of Forbes+Masters, Kristine Paige Kamenstein of Jackson Paige Interiors, Matthew Quinn and Richard Anuszkiewicz of Design Galleria Kitchen & Bath Studio, and Vern Yip
The interior designers are challenged to provide their design expertise to create a home that is beautiful and with the intention to promote happier, healthier and smarter living. The Whole Home Concept House will debut in Nashville in tandem with the brand’s November 2019 issue, which hits newsstands on October 17, 2019.
“At House Beautiful, we believe your home should work for you – bringing you joy, helping you reconnect with family and recover from external stresses,” said Carisha Swanson, senior editor and market director. “This house will illustrate these concepts through layout, product, and inspiration, providing actionable ideas that readers and visitors can implement in their own homes. I look forward to seeing this exceptional group of designers bring these ideas to life and transform these spaces into more than just beautiful rooms.”
Modern Remains will deliver a top floor media room that acts as a central zone for game and movie nights, plus they are creating a breakfast area off the main kitchen and a landing area on the second floor. Millard noted, “While designing three rooms in such a short period of time will be a challenge, we believe there is strength in numbers. We will collaborate on each design, divide and conquer while leaning on each others strengths. We will pay close attention to how each space functions with each layout being beautiful and functional for a family.”
“The Breakfast Room will be a be a happy and energetic place to start your day,” he continued. “It will feature a bright and cheerful color palette filled with shades of pink, red & orange. We envision the Media Room to feel cozy and calm. It will be consist of a dark monochromatic palette layered with multiple textures and tones. It’ll be the room where you want to kick back and relax. As you enter the second floor, the Stair Landing will not only bridge the public and private spaces of the home, it will also be a space all of its own. Furnished as an intimate seating area, we envision this space filled with a carefully chosen selection of furnishings and art.”
House Beautiful will take their audience inside the home with an exclusive web series launching on HouseBeautiful.com when the issue hits newsstands. Each episode will focus on a single designer and showcase the before, during and after of their design process, including decision-making, design plans and shopping for the home. The web series will also offer viewers a chance to hear first-hand how designers solve problems, including repurposing rooms that are rarely used, and how to create a private home office to maximize work productivity.
House Beautiful’s Whole Home Concept House will be open for tours daily October 18 through November 3 in the historic Belle Meade area of Nashville. The beautiful English Arts & Crafts style home will promote happier, healthier, and smarter living and is being built by Castle Homes in partnership with ten designers from across the United States benefiting the Nashville Symphony. Tickets will be available via CastleHomes.com.
College Planning & Management announced the 2019 winners of its annual Education Design Showcase this month with Belmont’s Tall Hall earning a “Project of Distinction” nod.
Education Design Showcase was established in 1999 to share innovative and practical solutions in planning, design and construction. The goal of the program is to share ideas that will help achieve the best possible learning environments and to recognize the firms that have made these ideas a reality.
With the recognition, Tall Hall was featured in the June 2019 edition of College Planning & Management (download above) as well as on the publication’s website and Spaces4Learning.com.
Bone McAllester Norton PLLC announced recently the hiring of two-time Belmont graduate Courtney Lutz in the firm’s Nashville office. A 2012 alumna of Belmont’s music business program and 2015 Belmont Law graduate, Lutz served as the vice president of appellate advocacy for the University’s Board of Advocates and was also the executive articles editor of the Belmont Law Review. During her time on campus, Lutz also worked as a legal intern for both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the 16th District Attorney General’s Office.
Lutz focuses her legal practice on commercial litigation, with broad previous experience in the areas of business disputes, personal injury, legal and medical malpractice, premises liability, entertainment law, criminal defense and highly contested divorces. She is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Prior to joining Bone McAllester
Norton, Lutz practiced at Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC,
where she represented both large corporations and small businesses in personal
injury and professional liability lawsuits. She also represented attorneys and
healthcare professionals in malpractice actions.
“Courtney’s passion for litigation,
ability to connect with clients and deep breadth of experience in successfully
managing and resolving cases in multiple practice areas makes her an
outstanding addition to our firm,” said Charles Robert Bone, president and CEO
of Bone McAllester Norton. “We look forward to supporting Courtney as she embarks
on the next chapter of her career at Bone McAllester Norton.”
A native of Madisonville, Ky., Lutz
is also an avid musician. When not practicing law, she sings gospel music with
her family band, The Childress Family, across the Southeastern U.S.
During summer 2019 five Belmont nursing students participated in the Behavioral Health Internship Program (BHIP) engaging in service learning at TriStar Centennial Medical Center-Parthenon Pavilion and TriStar Skyline Madison Hospital. This is the second year for BHIP.
The students completed 252 hours of hands-on training in a variety of specialty units at both TriStar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion and TriStar Skyline Madison Hospital which serve patients across the lifespan with diagnoses such as mood disorders, chemical dependency, dementia and psychosis.
The United States is experiencing a growing shortage of qualified behavioral health professionals which in turn leads to an increased lack of access to care at a time when suicide rates and opioid addiction are on the rise. For the past two years, Belmont has partnered with TriStar Health to offer a Behavioral Health Internship Program for nursing students who have interest in learning more about this career option.
Mrs. Diane Allen, the lead faculty member, and Dr. Leslie Folds, who helped with coordination of BHIP for Belmont School of Nursing, indicated that all involved were deeply appreciative of the nurse preceptors and the interprofessional team that mentored these nursing students.
The Belmont University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Barry Kraus, was invited to perform as part of the 2020 College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference at Northwestern State University in Louisiana in February.
This marks the first regional conference performance invitation extended to the Wind Ensemble in school history.
The ensemble was one of twelve collegiate bands selected via audio recordings by a panel of conductors through competitive blind audition.
The CBDNA Southern Division includes schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
