Drama Alumnus Returns to Direct Macbeth When Joey Milillo agreed to direct the University of St. Thomas’ fall production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, he needed no time to familiarize himself with the Jones Theater stage. Nearly seven years after earning a degree in drama from UST, Milillo says he could still find his way around Jones Theater with his eyes closed. 

Dr. Malcolm Rector Excels in Music, Writing and Film Production Dr. Malcolm Rector, University of St. Thomas assistant professor of music, began playing and composing music at the age of four and has been creatively expressing himself through music, writing, and film his entire life.

UST Graduate Plays on International Music Tour Mike Whitebread graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, and again in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in music theory and composition. He recently returned from his second international tour with country singer Kareem Salama, sponsored by the U. S. State Department. They traveled to seven different countries in the Middle East playing for workshops in refugee camps during the day and concerts at night.

UST Music Grad Studies Musicology at Rice Faith Avilene “Avi” DePano graduated from St. Thomas in May with a bachelor’s degree in music and a minor in theology. In the fall, DePano will pursue a master’s degree in musicology at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University on a full scholarship. The highly competitive program accepts less than five students per year, and DePano will be among the first students to be admitted to the program in two years.

Alumnus, Tenor Hits High Note at Oratorio Competition From the University of St. Thomas to Yale to performing in Carnegie Hall, singer Joe Mikolaj is making joyful noise on stages across the country. Despite the competitive nature of a music career, Mikolaj said his UST experience keeps him grounded and helps him remember the joy in music.

Felix Peña Receives Prestigious Award from Boston Conservatory Felix Peña, who earned his undergraduate degree in music at UST in 2006, was selected from conservatory composers to receive the 2010 Roger Sessions Memorial Composition Award at the Boston Conservatory Spring commencement ceremony in May of 2010.

University of St. Thomas Launches Music Preparatory School Building on the University of St. Thomas Music Department’s commitment to excellence in music education and community outreach, the University will offer private instruction to pre-college music students and non-traditional hobbyists by launching the Music Preparatory School. The Music Preparatory School is a non-degree granting program that offers courses to students who are not seeking college credit for private lessons. However, pre-college lessons are available upon request.

Actor Matthew Giampietro Makes Entrance on Graduate School Stage Whether it’s painting and building a set in his spare time or playing a starring role, a life in the theater is something Giampietro plans to pursue as a career. Giampietro is continuing to hone his skills as an actor in the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Washington’s School of Drama.