Brittany Byrne

Dr. Barbara Chamberlain, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN Award for Outstanding Excellence in Music Production

Brittany Byrne is graduating with a B.A. in Music Industry with a specialization in Music Technology. Since transferring to Rowan during her Sophomore year, Brittany has grown academically and has expanded her skills that will further her career. She has been very involved with anything live sound. From being the sound engineer for the theater department’s rendition of HAIR, to being a stage tech for clubs and local productions, to being a production intern at World Café Live in Philadelphia, Brittany’s passion for music and live sound has grown immensely.

Before covid hit last year in March, she was chosen to represent Rowan’s music industry program at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Sadly, that couldn’t happen due to the pandemic, but the chance to perform and represent Rowan at a major music conference will stick with her forever.

This year, Brittany has been very involved with the work-study program in Wilson Hall, being in charge of live streaming the music department showcases so friends and families can watch without putting themselves at risk during the pandemic. Lastly, Brittany would like to thank her friends and family for always sticking by her side no matter how crazy things got.

Alexander Covelli

W. Clarke Pfleeger Award for Musical Excellence

Having graduated at the conclusion of the Fall 2020 semester, Alexander Covelli received his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. During his tenure at Rowan, Covelli studied with Dr. Timothy Schwarz, had the opportunity to serve both as concertmaster and principal 2nd violin of the university orchestra, and was a committed member of the string ensemble. He has performed in masterclasses for Philadelphia Orchestra members such as Juliette Kang and Kimberly Fisher, soloist Giora Schmidt, renowned chamber musician Todd Phillips, esteemed pedagogue Hal Grossman, up-and-coming Baroque violin soloist Augusta McKay Lodge, and the contemporary music sextet Eighth Blackbird. Additionally, Covelli performs in recitals across South Jersey, collaborating with fellow musicians to bring the intimate experience of classical music to people throughout the area. He has participated in and performed at the Techne Music Festival, a chamber music festival which was founded and organized by his teacher. Outside of the classical realm, he has played violin in alternative rock settings, including a few album and EP recordings for his friend’s music project. Covelli is currently taking a gap year and is planning on continuing his musical studies on a graduate level. In addition to music, Covelli is an avid photographer, art enthusiast, and lover of the outdoors.

Ashley Lennick

Dr. Barbara Chamberlain, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN Award for Outstanding Excellence in Singing

Ashley Lennick is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre and Acting/Directing. Coming from West Chester, Pennsylvania, her first love was singing! Early on she performed solo and in choruses which progressed to leads in musicals, plays and going to a performing arts school.

Ashley appreciates many experiences she had at Rowan: singing and tap dancing to “Anything Goes” in her first college cabaret; the amazing honor of singing with Kristin Chenoweth; playing Yasha in Cradle will Rock; singing “It’s a Man’s World” in the X cabaret; singing the iconic “Aquarius” as Ronnie in Hair; singing “Rainbow High” from Evita in Disconnected; to playing Heather McNamara in the Heathers podcast. Pre- pandemic, she played Rapunzel in a professional show - Into the Woods.  She is a proud member of Alpha Psi Omega and a Teacher’s Assistant for Singing for the actor. She put together the Glee Cabaret, benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Thank you to her professors, especially the encouraging Chris Roche, who mentored and provided opportunities to come out of her comfort zone, practice her skills, and sing great songs.  Ashley’s dream is to perform and sing on Broadway tours and stage.

Aidan McDonald

Phillip Graneto Excellence in Theatre Award

Aidan McDonald will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre; with concentrations in Acting, Musical Theatre, and Pre-Teaching. Hailing from Sicklerville, New Jersey, Aidan is an actor, director, playwright, designer, and musician. Over the course of his time at Rowan, Aidan performed in several mainstage productions; most notably, Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Hamlet), Urinetown (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry), and The Cradle Will Rock (Larry Foreman). Aidan served for two years on Rowan Lab Theatre’s E-Board as Treasurer, then President. Under the guidance of Professor Lane Savadove, Aidan made his professional debut in EgoPo Classic Theater’s touring production of Beckett’s Company, followed by Athol Fugard’s Master Harold…and the Boys during their 2018-2019 season. He spent his final semester with the National Theater Institute (NTI) at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT. During his time at NTI, Aidan took classes in every area of theatre, with additional workshops from guest artists. Additionally, he performed in and directed weekly Lab presentations of both published and original plays. Most recently, Aidan spent time writing and composing an original play-in-music entitled, Count Down To One, presented during NTI’s Playwrights and Librettists Week. Aidan is dedicated to creating and participating in work that is immersive, intimate, and inclusive. His passion is rooted in the love for his family, as well as the support of his instructors, professors, and mentors throughout the years. “For Mom.”

Bryan O'Lone

Jacobs Music Award

Bryan O’Lone is graduating from Rowan University with a B.M. in piano performance. He began his musical studies in 1996 with Raffi Besalyan. His premier solo recital was performed in Boyd Recital Hall at Rowan University in 2005.  Later in 2005 he appeared in a recital at Carnegie Hall as a prize winner of a piano competition in New Jersey. From 2005-2012 he studied piano with Vitalij Kuprij, Marian Hahn, Matthew Bengtson, Charles Abramovic, and Max Levinson, respectively. He performed his premiere recital as soloist with Newark Symphony Orchestra in 2017.  Composed 24 Preludes for Piano in 2019. Continued studying piano with Veda Zuponcic in 2020. Intent on creating and teaching more music.

Luis Ozoria

Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in Fine and Performing Arts Award

Luis Ozoria will be graduating from Rowan University in Spring 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies. During Luis’ time at Rowan he participated in the University small jazz ensembles, jazz band, wind ensemble, orchestra, and University brass band. From his sophomore year, the Luis Ozoria combo served as the ensemble in residence for Rising: The Campaign for Rowan University. This opportunity provided Luis’ group with numerous future performance opportunities. Luis is fortunate to have received mentorship from Professors Bryan Appleby-Wineberg, Jonathan Barnes, George Rabbai, and Denis DiBlasio. Luis will be continuing his education this fall at the Peabody Conservatory and thanks Rowan University for providing him with the opportunity to continue advancing in his career aspirations. Luis hopes to become a director of jazz studies at a collegiate institution and pass on the lessons and mentorship he was fortunate enough to receive from Rowan.

Lisa Ribinsky

Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Award

Lisa Ribinsky (she/her/hers), the recipient for the Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Medallion Award, will be graduating with a B.A. in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Design and Technology. In her time at Rowan Lisa stage managed Heathers: The Musical and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime on the main stage and Colors in the Dark with Rowan University’s Lab Theatre. As an Assistant Stage Manager, Lisa worked on Company, Breath: A Beckett Festival, Dis-Connected, and Urinetown: The Musical. Additionally, Lisa has Scenic Charge credits for Failure: A Love Story,  Trigger Warning, and Detroit.

Julia Rivenburg

Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Performing Arts Education

Julia Rivenburg (She/ Her/ Hers) will be graduating in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts, concentrating in Pre-Teaching, and will be returning to Rowan in the fall in continuation of her Masters of Science in teaching for Theatre Education k-12. During her time at Rowan Julia has taken on many roles in the theatre such as stage management, house management, and directing. This past year alone Julia was able to assistant direct Breaking News and Heathers alongside Dr. Christopher Marlowe Roche, and directed her own production of The Lovesong of J. Robert Oppenheimer, produced by Rowan Lab Theatre. Julia was also afforded the opportunity to be a teaching assistant the last two semesters for Intro to Theatre and Dance and Script Analysis with Dr. Elisabeth Hostetter and Lane Savadove in order to better assist the underclassmen in maneuvering through the heavy course loads and stress that comes with virtual learning. It is very important to Julia that she thank all of her professors and peers in RUTD for all of their encouragement and support over the last four years. She would especially like to thank the cast and crew of Lovesong, Abby Leyh, Molly Jo, her parents and siblings, Zach, and her cat Pickles- this world would have been a lot harder to figure out without them.