MLMF 2023 Fellows
Cole Allex is a saxophonist and graduate of Baylor University with both a Bachelor's in music education and a Master's in music performance. He served as the Wayne Fisher Jazz Program graduate teaching assistant at Baylor during his time as a master's student. He currently serves as the male head counselor for the Baylor summer band and orchestra camps. His future plans are to teach in the public-school setting for a few years, and eventually return to school to receive his doctorate in saxophone performance.
Paige Nielsen is currently pursuing her Music Education degree at Baylor University, studying saxophone under Dr. Michael Jacobson. Originally from Katy, Texas, she will finish up her coursework at Baylor this fall and plans to student teach in the Houston area in the spring.
During her time at Baylor, she has been heavily involved in many prestigious performing groups, including the Baylor University Wind Ensemble, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, and the Baylor Golden Wave Marching Band. Most recently, she had the privilege of performing with the Wind Ensemble at the 76th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago this past December. She also enjoyed travelling to Scotland during the summer of 2022 on the Baylor Jazz mission trip to raise money for Ukranian refugees.
Paige currently has maintained her own private saxophone studio in the Central Texas area and teaches private lessons at Midway Middle and High School. Outside of her involvement in music in the Waco area, Paige enjoys painting and spending time with her two cats, Biscuit and Gravy.
During her time at Baylor, she has been heavily involved in many prestigious performing groups, including the Baylor University Wind Ensemble, Baylor Jazz Ensemble, and the Baylor Golden Wave Marching Band. Most recently, she had the privilege of performing with the Wind Ensemble at the 76th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago this past December. She also enjoyed travelling to Scotland during the summer of 2022 on the Baylor Jazz mission trip to raise money for Ukranian refugees.
Paige currently has maintained her own private saxophone studio in the Central Texas area and teaches private lessons at Midway Middle and High School. Outside of her involvement in music in the Waco area, Paige enjoys painting and spending time with her two cats, Biscuit and Gravy.
Matt Davis is a senior at Baylor University, he is studying Music Education with a minor in Business. Primarily he plays Euphonium, studying under Kent Eshelman, but he also loves to play Jazz Tenor Trombone in the Baylor University Jazz Ensemble.
Grace Lipscomb is a tenor trombonist at Mansfield High School in Mansfield, TX and a student of Christian Paarup. She is a current member of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, former principal trombonist of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, and was selected as an alternate to NYO-USA in 2022. Grace placed in the top 3 in Mansfield Wind Symphony Solo Competition in 2022 and 2023. She finished 4th in the state for tenor trombone in the 2022-23 All State Jazz audition process and played lead in Jazz Ensemble II at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. Grace is also an accomplished vocalist. She enjoys playing trombone, singing, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family and friends. After high school, Grace plans to attend college to study trombone performance.
Conor Wilson hails from El Paso, TX where he attended Coronado high school before attending Baylor University to study with Brent Phillips. Since coming to Baylor, Conor has performed with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Trombone Choir, and other student-led chamber ensembles, as well as a regular substitute musician with the Waco Symphony Orchestra. Outside of Baylor, Conor has appeared as a finalist in the 2022 Southeast Trombone Symposium solo competition, 2022 International Trombone Association Edward Kleinhammer orchestral excerpts competition, 2022 International Trombone Association George Roberts solo competition, and second-alternate in the 2021 International Trombone Association George Roberts solo competition. In addition, Conor has been named the winner of the 2022 Southeast Trombone Symposium Orchestral Excerpt competition and the 2023 Big 12 solo competition. Conor is also active as a trombone lessons teacher in China Spring ISD, teaching high school students. Conor’s ultimate goal is to become a professional bass trombonist, and to further this goal he has taken auditions with the Atlanta and Seattle symphony orchestras, and will continue to take professional auditions and playing opportunities wherever they arise.
Anders Johnson is a sophomore music performance major from Loveland Colorado, and is a Wayne Fisher Jazz Scholar at Baylor University. He plays tenor sax in the Baylor Jazz Ensemble as well as bassoon in the Baylor Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.
Austin Smallwood is a current sophomore at Baylor University pursuing an undergraduate bachelor's degree in aviation sciences with a minor in music. aside from being an active member of the Baylor Euphonium Tuba Ensemble under Dr. Kent Eshelman, Austin actively plays with the Baylor Concert Jazz Ensemble and the Baylor University Golden Wave Band. In addition to playing, Austin has also written several jazz compositions and arrangements, many of which have been performed by both large and small ensembles. Austin hopes to find any and all opportunities to continue playing and writing jazz music in the future.
Eloy Trevino is a Baylor Music Education major from Carrollton, Texas. He has studied with teachers Vernon Richter, Elmer Churampi, Mark Schubert, and Wiff Rudd.
Eloy has served as Principal Trumpet in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra for 2 years under the direction of Richard Giangiulio. At Baylor University, he is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Concert Jazz Ensemble, and Baylor Golden Wave Band.
He was a member of the Dallas Youth Trumpet Ensemble which won 1st place at the 2022 National Trumpet Competition. In 2023, Eloy competed as a quarter finalist in the NTC Undergraduate Solo and Large Ensemble divisions. Additionally, he was a recipient of the prestigious 2023 ITG scholarship.
In his spare time, Eloy enjoys writing and arranging music for brass chamber settings and collecting vinyl records.
Eloy has served as Principal Trumpet in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra for 2 years under the direction of Richard Giangiulio. At Baylor University, he is a member of the Wind Ensemble, Concert Jazz Ensemble, and Baylor Golden Wave Band.
He was a member of the Dallas Youth Trumpet Ensemble which won 1st place at the 2022 National Trumpet Competition. In 2023, Eloy competed as a quarter finalist in the NTC Undergraduate Solo and Large Ensemble divisions. Additionally, he was a recipient of the prestigious 2023 ITG scholarship.
In his spare time, Eloy enjoys writing and arranging music for brass chamber settings and collecting vinyl records.
Brady Parker is a sophomore Music Education major from Waco, Texas. He has traveled with the Baylor Jazz Ensemble to Greece, Peru, and Scotland; is a passionate fan of the Green Bay Packers, San Antonio Spurs and Baylor Bears; and loves Star Wars and Harry Potter.
Chris Ghaffar is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Saxophone Performance degree from Baylor University. Chris focuses on a blend of classical and jazz studies while working to extend his technical facilities to other woodwinds outside the saxophone. Chris is from Plano, Texas, and plans to graduate in Spring 2025.
Monet Markle is a double bassist from Arlington, TX who is going into her senior year at Baylor University studying Music Performance. She has been playing the bass for roughly 10 years, primarily in the classical setting. Although she dabbled in jazz in middle school, Monet really began her jazz experience her sophomore year at Baylor where she was able to join the Concert Jazz ensemble. After just one year in the jazz program, Monet was given the opportunity to participate in an international jazz tour across Scotland as well as gig with several combos including the first ever all female jazz combo at Baylor University: Baylor Jazz Women. She has also had much success in the classical vein being a fellow of Texas Music Festival (TMF), acceptance to the PRISMA Music Festival in Canada, and being a semi-finalist for the Sphinx Orchestral Partners Audition (SOPA) competition. Monet’s plans after undergrad are to pursue a graduate degree in orchestral studies, however she wants to continue to participate in big bands and combos at whatever school she goes to. She also has an interest in potentially pursuing a degree in music production to branch off into mainstream music.
Jack Klitgaard is a rising junior at Baylor University studying Medical Humanities and Jazz Piano. Originally from Harlan, Iowa, Jack is a University Scholar and a pre-medical student planning to pursue a career as a primary care physician. Jack was classically trained in piano, and his passion for jazz led to selection in the Iowa All-State Jazz Band, the Young Lions All-Star Big Band, and Harlan's state champion jazz band, as well as playing for the Baylor Jazz Ensemble and Combo in college. An avid outdoorsman, Jack is an Eagle Scout and earned all 137 Boy Scout Merit Badges. Most of all, Jack is passionate about integrating his faith into all aspects of his life and exploring the intersection of faith, medicine, and music.
Grant Hayes is a senior Music Education major from Sachse, TX. He has been developing his musical passion since elementary school, when he began playing the piano, guitar, and viola. In middle school, he found his love of the trombone, and his passion exploded. He participated in his high school’s wind ensemble, jazz band, and marching band. Grant served as the trombone section leader his junior year and Brass Captain his senior year. During his junior year, he was a member of the Wylie Community Band as the youngest musician in the group.
He succeeded at the region and area levels all 4 years and was a member of the TMEA All-State Band during his junior and senior years of high school. He was also selected to attend the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest for three years. In June 2020, Grant received the John Philip Sousa Award.
In his spare time, Grant enjoys watching sports, listening to and arranging music, and spending time with friends. Grant hopes to become a band director at the high school level and would also love to win a performance job!
He succeeded at the region and area levels all 4 years and was a member of the TMEA All-State Band during his junior and senior years of high school. He was also selected to attend the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest for three years. In June 2020, Grant received the John Philip Sousa Award.
In his spare time, Grant enjoys watching sports, listening to and arranging music, and spending time with friends. Grant hopes to become a band director at the high school level and would also love to win a performance job!
In Partnership with Voice of Wilderness
The primary goal of Voice of Wilderness is to communicate the reality of Jesus Christ and the practical application of the teachings found in the books of the Bible. In a complex society such as ours, man has virtually ignored this vital part of an educational process. We use the wilderness setting as a tool to relate Biblical principles to the everyday needs of the individual. God used the wilderness to deal with His people; Moses, Elijah, David, John the Baptist, and Jesus were all led into the solitude of their natural environments to reflect and develop.
Where life is basic, man is more likely to realize his need for dependence on his Creator. Here, an individual can see God's creation and understand more of His power. Free from day to day distractions, one can clearly examine the life Christ claimed to give.
The wilderness is truly a voice that declares God's "invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1:20)
Where life is basic, man is more likely to realize his need for dependence on his Creator. Here, an individual can see God's creation and understand more of His power. Free from day to day distractions, one can clearly examine the life Christ claimed to give.
The wilderness is truly a voice that declares God's "invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1:20)
Founders, History, and Vision
Mission - An exclusive chamber music festival located in Pagosa Springs CO featuring musicians of the highest caliber. Based at the Mountain Light Lodge, this week long festival of chamber music seeks to inspire and engage audiences in Pagosa Springs CO. Students will discover their true musical identity and find purpose in their creative pursuits while working alongside world class faculty.
History:
This is the fifth year of the Mountain Light Music Festival. The festival was featured as a trombone summit in 2015 with students and faculty from SMU, Rice, University of Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Baylor, University of Texas El Paso, University of Alabama and more. We are excited to present the Mountain Light Festival Trombone Choir at Keyah Grande on Friday August 6th, 2021. We needed to stay home in 2020 but can't wait to be back in the mountains this August.
The Baylor Brass was in residency in 2017 and 2018 and performed concerts for the Cade Mountain Community at the Mountain Light Lodge and performed to a sold out audience at the Wyndham Resort, Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Club House and Community United Methodist Church. We are grateful to our sponsors: Pagosa Springs Sun, Choke Cherry Tree, Click Printing, Three Chicks and a Hippy, Voice of Wilderness, Bookends, Pagosa Springs Area Chamber, and Airport Self-Storage. We are looking for long-term underwriters to help this festival continue its growth and bring other instrumental genres to Pagosa.
Vision:
I sincerely believe that with your help, we can build a world class venue in Pagosa Springs and host a uniquely intimate and inspiring summer long music festival. Pagosa will be the summer home of world class faculty and students who will live here and perform in our homes, at the Mountain Light Lodge, Keyah Grande, the Springs, and ultimately on a newly built summer stage! Imagine sponsoring a string quartet or a jazz trio, or underwriting a symphony orchestra and top tier soloist, and being a part of this exciting startup here in Pagosa!
We believe in mentoring students and building community at Mountain Light Music. I have been fortunate to teach many talented young musicians who have gone on to great success. MLMF is unique because our mission is one of spiritual value. Students discover how to place their trust in what is eternal, rather than a position or a title. We play music because we are inspired - not because we want attention. Help me share these truths about performance, art, community, and the gift of music with these wonderful students.
Founder, Director
This is the fifth year of the Mountain Light Music Festival. The festival was featured as a trombone summit in 2015 with students and faculty from SMU, Rice, University of Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Baylor, University of Texas El Paso, University of Alabama and more. We are excited to present the Mountain Light Festival Trombone Choir at Keyah Grande on Friday August 6th, 2021. We needed to stay home in 2020 but can't wait to be back in the mountains this August.
The Baylor Brass was in residency in 2017 and 2018 and performed concerts for the Cade Mountain Community at the Mountain Light Lodge and performed to a sold out audience at the Wyndham Resort, Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Club House and Community United Methodist Church. We are grateful to our sponsors: Pagosa Springs Sun, Choke Cherry Tree, Click Printing, Three Chicks and a Hippy, Voice of Wilderness, Bookends, Pagosa Springs Area Chamber, and Airport Self-Storage. We are looking for long-term underwriters to help this festival continue its growth and bring other instrumental genres to Pagosa.
Vision:
I sincerely believe that with your help, we can build a world class venue in Pagosa Springs and host a uniquely intimate and inspiring summer long music festival. Pagosa will be the summer home of world class faculty and students who will live here and perform in our homes, at the Mountain Light Lodge, Keyah Grande, the Springs, and ultimately on a newly built summer stage! Imagine sponsoring a string quartet or a jazz trio, or underwriting a symphony orchestra and top tier soloist, and being a part of this exciting startup here in Pagosa!
We believe in mentoring students and building community at Mountain Light Music. I have been fortunate to teach many talented young musicians who have gone on to great success. MLMF is unique because our mission is one of spiritual value. Students discover how to place their trust in what is eternal, rather than a position or a title. We play music because we are inspired - not because we want attention. Help me share these truths about performance, art, community, and the gift of music with these wonderful students.
Founder, Director