February 23, 2024
Every spring Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance recognizes distinguished students and community members with MaTilDa Awards, which are named to honor Matilda Dodge Wilson, who donated the land on which Oakland University is built.
This year’s award recipients were announced on Tuesday, February 20 by Kerro Knox 3, professor of theatre and associate director of the SMTD.
“Awardees are selected by the faculty for achievement, talent and citizenship, as well as contributions to the departments and the school,” Knox said.
This year’s award recipients include:
Distinguished Musicianship Award
Mahki Murray
Outstanding Student in Voice Performance
Montana King
Outstanding Student in Piano Performance (undergraduate)
Yuhan Wei
Outstanding Student in Piano Performance (graduate)
Jiawen Zhang
Outstanding Students in Instrumental Performance (undergraduate)
Taylor Atkinson
Dustin Freeman
Outstanding Student in Instrumental Performance (graduate)
Levi Hardy
Outstanding Student in Music Education
Anna Greyerbiehl
Outstanding Student in Jazz
Taylor Atkinson
Outstanding Students in World Music
Letty Costilla
Trey Martin
Outstanding Student in Music Technology
Wes Hutchison
Pat and Mercedes Nicosia Meadow Brook Estate Award
Chanelle Beach
Gittlen Achievement Award in Acting
Brady Jacot
Gittlen Achievement Award in Theatre Design and Technology
Jaden Leverett
Gittlen Achievement Award in Musical Theatre
Rachel Nesbitt
Gittlen Theatre Award
Dede Gibson-Phillips
Distinguished Dance Student
Tristen Cook
Outstanding Choreography Award
Angela Lowry
Outstanding Students Service Award – Music
Joshua Fuzi
Brian Wiik
Outstanding Student Service Award – Theatre
Emma Garrett
SMTD Award (for commitment to the interdisciplinary nature of the school)
Adanna Walker
Social Justice Award
Tuger Xiong
Alumni Achievement in Theatre Author of Sweet Mystery: The Musical Works of Rida Johnson Young
Ellen M. Peck, Ph.D.
Alumni Achievement in Dance Faculty Alma College
Kayt McMaster
“It’s really special to see so many students and alumni honored from across the School of Music, Theatre and Dance,” said Dr. Elisabeth Hoegberg, director of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The breadth of the MaTilDa Awards ranges from performance to education to social justice, and the outstanding achievements represented within them are truly impressive. We are really proud of the work of SMTD and the MaTilDas give us another means to recognize excellence.”
For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/smtd/community-engagement/matildas.