Sister Sadie’s self titled debut project on Pinecastle Records, which features Tina Adair from the Curb College, will be featured on SiriusXM “Track by Track” session with Kyle Cantrell on February 22 at 10 a.m. (channel 62 – Bluegrass Junction)
Adair to Be Featured on “Track by Track”
Lauer Speaks to Songwriting Class, Works with Students
Both sections of Instructor of Songwriting Drew Ramsey’s Songwriting Practicum are writing for Tim Lauer this semester. Lauer, a Belmont alumnus and recipient of the Curtain Call Award, is the music producer for “Nashville” and works closely with the show’s Music Supervisor Frankie Pine.
Lauer visited class earlier this semester and provided insight on the show for student projects.
Students Visit US Space and Rocket Center for Linked Cohort Class
Students in Dr. Krista McBride’s Physics and Dr. Maggie Monteverde’s Science Fiction Linked Cohort Class (LCC) visited the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday, February 11. While there, the group was given a guided tour of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, which houses a giant Saturn V rocket of the type that sent men to the moon, among many other artifacts from the space program.
They also saw a film about the manned Mars mission scheduled for 2032 and had the opportunity to walk through a mock-up of the International Space Station. The visit gave students the chance to learn about both real-world applications of physics principles, as well as ways science fiction is becoming science fact when it comes to space exploration. The trip was funded by a BellCore LCC instructional grant.
College of Sciences & Mathematics Hosts High School Honors Students
The College of Sciences and Mathematics hosted one of Ezell Harding Honors Biology classes on February 13. Mrs. Alisa Mitchell and her class partnered with Dr. Nick Ragsdale, biology professor, as they explored the skill of spectrometry. The class learned the science behind and the technique of visible light spectrometry as they measured the absorbance spectra of various dyes as well as plant photo-pigments.
After attaining their data, the group worked on proper graphing techniques as an extension of learning how to communicate scientific data. Finally, Mitchell and her class toured the science labs on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Jane Ayers Academic Center.
Jones Published in Psychology Teaching Review Journal
Dr. Linda Jones, chair of Psychological Science, recently had an article published in the journal Psychology Teaching Review. The article is titled “Psychology Educators of Tennessee (PET): A Regional Learning Community for Psychology Teachers.”
For more than five years, Jones has been one of the coordinators of the annual fall PET conference, working with psychology faculty from MTSU and TSU, as well as the AP psychology teacher at Brentwood High School. The conference is attended by college, community college and high school psychology faculty from TN and surrounding states.
Musical Theater Alumna Makes Broadway Debut
Katie Ladner, a 2013 graduate of Belmont’s Musical Theatre Department, is making her Broadway debut as a member of the ensemble in the hit show “Sunset Boulevard.” The production is being housed in New York City’s Palace Theatre and will continue running through June of this year. Glenn Close is the leading actress in her role as Norma Desmond.
In addition to her involvement in “Sunset Boulevard,” Ladner has performed in Off-Broadway performances of “Heathers” and “Gigantic.” Regionally, she has made appearances in “Be More Chill” and Disney’s “Freaky Friday.”
Micky ScottBey Jones Wraps Up Faith and Culture Symposium
Contemplative activist Micky ScottBey Jones recently wrapped up the fourth annual Faith and Culture Symposium as the last speaker in a week-long series of faith-based discussions. In her talk, Jones brought up the idea of salvation as a process that is constantly unfolding and mentioned how that process has worked in her own life to evolve her faith. Some of her salvation moments have come through learning about nonviolence from Nashville civil rights leader James Lawson Jr. and through taking a class on African American studies at MTSU. She explained that moments of salvation don’t always look like they will offer a promise of revolution.
After Jones’s discussion, students had the opportunity to ask questions about the most influential non-violent tactics that can be used to create change in the current state of the world. Jones advised those wishing to speak out against injustice to understand where their talents best fit and commit themselves there. She told students to recognize their personal limits and know exactly why they are joining a movement. Jones ended by advising students that anger felt towards a situation or group is just a symbol that something they love is being threatened. The greatest success comes from focusing on that love instead of the anger that sometimes stems from it.
Carr Talks Music Business Strategies as Museum Panelist
Cheryl Carr, associate dean in the College of Entertainment and Music Business, recently served as a panelist for the National Museum of African American Music’s “Turntables” event on networking and other music business strategies for aspiring artists and businesspersons. The session featured an array of topics including copyright law, network building, public relations, artist management and more.
Music Industry Healthcare Professionals Share Life Skills for Artists
On Monday, February 6, Belmont University hosted a curb seminar featuring guest speakers Tatum Allsep, founder and executive director of the Music Health Alliance, Deborah Deloach, vice president of Veva Sound, Elizabeth Porter LCP, MHSP of Entertainment Health Services and Nolan Neal, recording artist/musician. The event was moderated by Debbie Carroll, senior executive director of MusiCares. The panel focused on life skills for artists and creators and shared the purpose of their organizations, particularly MusiCares, which provides emergency financial assistance to those within the music industry.
Carroll started the conversation by discussing bumps along the way–the thing she said was never talked about enough. Porter said it is good to remember that you are not going to make a lot of money right away; therefore, it is important to maintain your hope and passions and develop relationships with the people around you.
Deloach advised students to work hard, stay positive and keep contacts through the years without burning bridges as they begin their careers. Allsep said that if you are breathing, there’s hope. She also assured students that the music industry is like a family–we’re all in this together.
Porter shared with students that by being true to who you are, people will buy into your brand. Carroll shared that it is okay to make mistakes and realize you can be successful. She also emphasized the importance of just “fakin’ it til you make it,” and that when you stumble, you must get back up and dust yourself off. Neal said that the trick is to stick and stay. Porter concluded by advising students there is a time for business and practicality but also a time to let go of the wheel and have faith.
Alumni, Faculty Find Favor at 59th Annual Grammy Awards
Belmont University was well represented at last night’s 59th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles with several alumni winning awards for their work while a number of faculty contributed to their own award-winning project.
Emily Weisband, a 2015 alumna of Belmont’s songwriting program, and Bernie Herms, a 1995 alumnus of the School of Music, both won their first-ever Grammy Award for a song they co-wrote with Hillary Scott titled, “Thy Will.” The song was recorded by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family and won the award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Weisband will be back on Belmont’s campus on February 24 to perform in the Homecoming Concert hosted by fellow Grammy Award winner and alumnus Gordon Kennedy.
Kate Lee Gurnow, also a 2014 graduate, took home a Grammy for her debut album with the O’Connor Band, titled, “Coming Home.” The album, on which Gurnow played fiddle, won Best Bluegrass Album. Gurnow studied Commercial Violin Performance during her time at Belmont and has performed behind a number of country stars, including Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and Vince Gill.
In addition, the Nashville Symphony’s recording of “Daugherty: Tales of Hemingway” won three Grammy Awards: Best Classical Instrumental Solo, Best Classical Compendium and Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Several School of Music faculty contributed to this recording, including Piano Instructor Robert Marler and Adjunct Instructors Alison Gooding, Daniel Lochrie, Radu Ruso and Xiao-Fan Zhang.
