OSoM Alumni Newsletter - May 2025

Dear Erin,

Greetings from Gorham as we officially enter summer! We're taking a break from moving boxes as we prepare for our move to the Crewe Center for the Arts in Portland to give you a quick update on all things Osher School of Music from the end of the Spring Semester. 

Between the unveiling of a new Alma Mater written by Dr. Sonenberg at Commencement, students studying abroad with Dr. Haslett in Italy, and a major presence at All-State by Dr. Kaschub, myself, and the OSOM staff, it has been a busy May! There are so many wonderful updates you'll read below about our work this past semester and the things we look forward to as we transition to Portland in the Fall; however, remember this newsletter is first and foremost a chance for us to champion you, our alumni, and make sure you know what is going on in other parts of the Pack! 

Remember, if you have updates you'd like to share–either about yourself or others–are interested in our Friends of the Osher School of Music board, or want to be involved in any other type of way, don't hesitate to reach out to Director of Advancement and Outreach Lee Hartman (lee.hartman@maine.edu). 

Be well, and Go Huskies!

To stay in touch, please reach out to our Music Events Manager, Hanna Flewelling at hanna.flewelling@maine.edu

Our Newest Alumni!

Our newest alumni at the annual senior breakfast. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Mastering Masters

For many of us, working with one of the great masters of our craft is a dream. For alumni Griffin Gingrich '22, it's a reality. Gingrich is working alongside Adam Ayan (eight time Grammy winner, master audio engineer, and former USM professor) at Ayan's newly-opened studio in Portland, Ayan Mastering. Read more.

Charting the Course

"...there were no jobs in my industry. In fact, there was no one else with my job working in my home state!"

—Kate Beever

Alumni Kate Beever is charting the course for future music therapists in Maine. In a recent interview with CanvasRebel, Beever shared how she broke into the music therapy field, and built her business from the ground up.

Music Educators in the Spotlight

We were thrilled to see three of our OSOM alumni recognized at the Maine Music Educators Association! Erin Dawley '16 and Bill Buzza '93 both received MMEA Music Educator of the Year Awards, and Jeff Mosher '16, '21 was awarded the MMEA Outstanding New Educator Award.

Music Educators in the Spotlight

OSOM faculty member, Dr. Malinda Haslett, was named amongst the cohort of British Library Eccles Institute Fellows for 2025–26. This is a fellowship open to the global community that brings researchers to the British Library for at least one month at a time.The fellows have duties at the library, including meeting on a weekly basis to share discoveries, curate lectures for the BL, write blogs, and add to their digital commons. 

Haslett says "One really cool thing is that there is dedicated time for anyone who visits the British Library to speak with the Eccles Fellows about their research, and how it impacts humanity. And of course, I shall have access to the extraordinary BL collection to support my project: Rediscovering the Life and Music of Gilda Ruta: Italian Composer and The Embodiment of the American Dream."

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