July 14, 2011 - Two Belhaven University alumni are sharpening their musical skills and making notable accomplishments in their careers and education. Megan Russ (’09) and Sarah Jones (’10) are both music majors who were under the care of the Belhaven University music department.
Russ has just completed her graduate Diploma in music at the University of Leeds located in the UK, and received the distinction of having the highest grade in her class. She has recently been accepted into a graduate Musicology program at the University of Leeds and won the Herbert Thompson International Scholarship for her masters.
Russ continues to play and specialize in baroque violin and is taking additional lessons from Judy Tarling, one of the pioneers of baroque technique. Russ also plans to play with the Leeds Baroque Orchestra and other concerts with the Leeds Haydn Players and Ad Hoc Baroque.
"I feel very blessed to be able to take advantage of these opportunities and appreciative of the foundational training I received at Belhaven University," says Russ.
Jones is an accomplished recent graduate from Belhaven and has been accepted into the University of Louisiana in Lafayette and will be a performance major with a focus in accompanying. She also received an internship along with a stipend award of $7500 per year.
During the internship, Jones will have the opportunity to help with theory tutoring, team-teaching class piano, and teach music appreciation.
Jones states, “Dr. Garcia, one of the music professors, really likes my playing, and she especially likes my technique." Smiling, Jones adds,"Someone at Belhaven had worked with me carefully.”
Belhaven proudly stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.