Every year, students in the Department of Music's performing ensembles are recognized for their high level of accomplishment in their discipline and their commitment to their ensemble(s). This year, seven students have been recognized.
2024 Ellis Bonoff Kohs Award for Orchestral Excellence
Established in 2003, the Ellis Bonoff Kohs Award for Orchestral Excellence is presented to outstanding undergraduate or graduate students in the University Symphony Orchestra who are members of the woodwind, brass, or percussion section. It is awarded each year to University of Chicago students who have been members of the USO for at least one full season, and who have consistently demonstrated the highest level of musical accomplishment on his or her instrument, as well as extraordinary commitment to the Orchestra during that tenure. The recipients of the 2024 Kohs Awards are Ian Bongolata and Jasper Heymann.
Ian Bongalonta, bassoon, is a third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry, where he studies the intersection of nonlinear infrared spectroscopy and biophysical simulation with professors Aaron Dinner and Andrei Tokmakoff. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College, where he studied bassoon with professor Michael Harley. He has previously played with the University of South Carolina Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Honor Band of America.
Jasper Heymann, percussion, is a fourth-year Quantum Engineering major with research interests in aerospace engineering. At UChicago, Jasper has delighted in playing timpani, and percussion in general, with the USO since his freshman year. He also participated in the piano program during his first two years at UChicago. Outside of his musical endeavors, Jasper co-founded UChicago’s Robotics Team and worked through the university as an undergraduate mechanical/electrical engineer designing systems for three particle detectors at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. Following graduation, Jasper plans to enter the aerospace industry while continuing his studies in music.
David L. Fulton Prize for Orchestral Excellence
Established in 1998, the David L. Fulton Prize for Orchestral Excellence is presented to outstanding undergraduate or graduate student stringed-instrument players in the University Symphony Orchestra. It is awarded each year to University of Chicago students who have been members of the University Symphony for at least one full season, and who have consistently demonstrated the highest level of musical accomplishment on his or her instrument, as well as extraordinary commitment to the Orchestra, during that tenure. The recipients of the 2024 Fulton Prize are Emily Dow, Ken Johnson, Samantha Ma, Sonia Stadler, and Raphael Stone.
Emily Dow, cello, is a fourth-year at the College majoring in Mathematics, Economics, and Psychology. She started playing cello at age ten and has enjoyed playing in the USO for her four years in the College. Previously, she served as principal of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) and performed in a summer festival at Walt Disney Concert Hall. After graduation, she plans to work as a Business Analyst in McKinsey’s Chicago office.
Ken Johnson, viola, is a fourth-year studying history in the college, with a general focus on Latin America and Mexico in particular. He began playing the viola when he was twelve, studying primarily with Diane Wuthrich. In addition to playing music, Ken is an editor of Animus, the classics magazine, and enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy novels.
Samantha Ma, violin, is a fourth-year in the College, graduating with an economics degree and a double-minor in visual arts and statistics. From Akron, OH, Samantha has played the violin for 15 years, and before college, she performed with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra for six years—joining the group on two international tours to China and Eastern Europe and serving as Principal Second Violinist and Assistant Concertmaster. At UChicago, Samantha is a winner of the 2023 Concerto Competition and has been a member of the University Symphony Orchestra since her first year. In the university’s Chamber Program, she regularly plays as a member of a piano quintet and has also performed alongside the Pacifica Quartet in Mendelssohn’s String Octet. After graduating, Samantha plans to move back to Cleveland as a consultant. In her free time, she enjoys putting on cultural activities with UChicago’s Chinese Undergraduate Students Association (CUSA), drawing, learning new instruments, and playing music outdoors with friends on sunny days.
Sonia Stadler, harp, is a fourth-year in the College from Dallas, TX. She has been playing the harp for fifteen years, and has extensive experience playing solo and orchestral repertoire. She has been a member of the University Symphony Orchestra for all four years at UChicago, and is also a member of a flute/viola/harp trio in the Chamber Music Program. She will be graduating with her B.A. in Global Studies and Russian and East European Studies with a minor in Human Rights this spring. This fall she will be attending law school in Washington D.C. at the George Washington University Law School. She would like to thank her music instructors and her family for their support, and will continue to play the harp in the future.
Raphael Stone, cello, is a fourth-year in the College from Austin, TX. He has been a member of the University Symphony Orchestra since his freshman year. He is currently finishing a B.S. in Molecular Engineering with a minor in Engineering of Sustainable Energy and Water Resources. Outside of musical endeavors and classes, Raphael has pursued research in Lithium extraction from brines with Prof. Chong Liu, mentored by Grant Hill, since his second year. Having picked up the hobbies in his early teens, Raphael rows and plays bridge here at the University of Chicago with UChicago Crew, and UCBC (UChicago Bridge Club), competing nationally for both teams. After graduating, Raphael will attend Carnegie Mellon University to pursue a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering in Prof. Rachel Kurchin's lab. Raphael plans to try out for CMU's major's orchestra and for the rowing team, while continuing to play bridge in his free time.