News Stories

Isabella Perez talking into a mic with a bookshelf in the background

Isabella Perez on Winning the Concerto Competition

February 23, 2026 | BSOM BODY

In this episode, we talk with senior Isabella Perez about winning the Concerto Competition. She discusses growing up in San Antonio, learning multiple instruments, and eventually studying Mozart's Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major, K. 191/186e, which she will perform with the Butler Chamber Orchestra.

Michael Smith Talking into a mic with a bookshelf in the background

Michael Robert Smith on Writing the Opera Downwind

February 16, 2026 | BSOMBODY

In this episode, we talk with graduate student Michael Robert Smith about writing the opera Downwind in collaboration with librettist Demian Chavez Galvan and the entire Butler Opera Center. Michael discusses the inspiration for the opera, followed by a brief score study of a few key moments from the work.

Sidney Becktold talking into a mic with a bookshelf in the background

Sidney Becktold on Researching Vocal Injuries

January 30, 2026 | BSOM BODY

We talk with undergraduate student Sidney Becktold about her research on vocal injuries. Sidney discusses her research collaboration with the Moody School of Communication and the Butler School of Music. She also talks about working with assistant professor of voice Dr. Liliana Guerrero to create the research project, “Using Cepstral Peak Prominence Values in Research and the Voice Studio,” which Sidney presented at the Pan-American Vocology Symposium, where she won Best Student Presenter.