2023–2024
School of Music Ambassadors are a select group of juniors and seniors who are leaders within our music community and represent a broad range of interests and talents. Connecting with one of our Ambassadors is a great way for prospective or admitted students to learn more about being a music major — and finding your place here — at The Ohio State University School of Music.
Music Ambassadors can answer questions about why they chose Ohio State, the student experience, ensembles, studios, music student organizations and much more! Contact one or more of them anytime using the links in their bios below.
Davis Aho (he/him/his) (Canal Winchester, Ohio) is a fifth-year music dual major in music education and music performance. His primary instrument is the euphonium, and he has taken a secondary in jazz trombone. In his years at Ohio State, he has performed with many ensembles in and around the School of Music. These include the Wind Symphony, Ohio State University Marching Band, Jazz Lab Big Band, OCAS Brass Band, Buckeye Philharmonic Orchestra and more! Davis uses his experience as an Eagle Scout to serve the School in his free time through two Honorary Fraternities geared towards music — Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Serving as both president of the Beta Xi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and a School of Music Ambassador, Davis hopes to make a massive, positive impact on the community at the School of Music! Contact Davis!
Isabella Gabriel (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a fourth-year vocal performance major. She is a member of Women’s Glee Club and performs with the Opera Theatre at Ohio State. She enjoys singing both opera and musical theatre, as well as performing in both genres. She has had the opportunity to premiere Jake Jordan's Sella the Musical, performing the role of Sella. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and fitness. Contact Bella!
Andrew Haines (Miamisburg, OH) is a fourth-year music education major. He is a member of the jazz percussion studio and has participated in multiple jazz combos, Jazz Lab Big Band, Collegiate Winds, University Choir, and The Ohio State University Marching Band, serving as squad leader in J row. Andrew is involved with music at Ohio State in various other ways, including as a brother in the Eta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a National Honorary Band Fraternity; as a member of the Jazz Club as well as the Student Advisory Council for the Marching Band. Outside of music, Andrew enjoys being outdoors, running, swimming, and going on backpacking trips. Contact Andrew!
Ray Johnson (Bainbridge, OH) is a fourth-year music education major whose primary instrument is flute. A member of Symphonic Band, Marching and Athletic Bands, and Flute Troupe, he also serves as president of Ohio State’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as well as publicity chair for the Central Ohio Flute Association (COFA). In addition to serving as a School of Music Ambassador, Ray is a member of the Marching Band’s Student Advisory Council and serves on the Summer Session Music Team. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends on campus, attending campus events, and playing in various extracurricular ensembles. Contact Ray!
Rohit Kolluri (Dublin, OH) is a third-year student pursuing dual degrees in music education and marketing. His primary instrument is clarinet, but he has played violin as well. He is a member of the Ohio State Wind Symphony and has performed in other large ensembles and chamber groups. He has also participated in multiple solo competitions. As a music education major, Rohit transcends his passion for teaching and performing while staying active in both of his colleges. In the School of Music, he is currently doing research on music education philosophies, as well as working to get a new club started this fall for all double-major and dual-degree students in the School. In the Fisher College of Business, he is an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Business Analytics course. Rohit also is a secondary handler for 4paws4ability, a nonprofit that trains service dogs. Ultimately, he hopes to find a way to combine all his passions in his career. He is happy that the School of Music allows him to explore all his interests both in and outside of music, and he hopes to help other students do the same. In his free time, Rohit enjoys cooking, working out, playing video games, and reading. Contact Rohit!
Zach Langbein (Mason, OH) is a third-year music education student focusing on classical saxophone. He is currently involved in Symphonic Band, saxophone quartets, Men's Glee Club, and playing in the pit orchestra for Off The Lake's spring musicals. Outside of school, he enjoys training service dogs with 4paws for ability, as well as golfing. As a commuter, Zach also enjoys traveling around Columbus and the state of Ohio in search of new activities. Contact Zach!
Crosbee Lisser (Medina, OH) is a senior double major in music education and psychology. A member of the horn studio, she has played in Collegiate Winds and The Ohio State Symphonic Band. She is also a member of The Ohio State University Marching Band where she is a squad leader and plays mellophone in E row. Crosbee is involved as a leader by serving as president of both the Undergraduate Music Council and of the North Central District of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. She also serves the Ohio State chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as publicity chair. Outside of music, Crosbee enjoys lifting weights, running, watching sunrises — and especially, drinking coffee. Contact Crosbee!
Louis Maligaya (Mundelein, Illinois), a fourth-year clarinet performance major, is a member of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. He is treasurer of the Clarinetwork Association at Ohio State. In autumn 2020, Louis was selected as one of the winners of the Undergraduate and Master's Concerto Competition and was featured with the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra in March 2021. Louis was also selected as Honorable Mention in the AdZel Duo International Clarinet Competition in May 2021. In his free time, Louis loves to cook, play spikeball, and take care of plenty of plants. Contact Louis!
Samantha Marcrum (Evansville, Indiana) is a third-year music education major whose primary instrument is double bass. She is a member of the Symphony Orchestra and a participant in the Buckeye Bass Ensemble. Samantha serves as secretary for Sigma Alpha Iota–Theta Alpha chapter. Outside of the School of Music, Samantha enjoys drinking coffee, reading books and watching football. Contact Samantha!
Alyssa McGraw (Massillon, OH) is a fourth-year general music education major and voice primary (mezzo-soprano). Her School of Music activities include serving as secretary of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), as vice president of ritual for Sigma Alpha Iota, and singing in Chorale. In her free time she enjoys cooking; hiking; playing ukulele, bass guitar and acoustic guitar; and traveling. Contact Alyssa!
Tristan Miller (Hilliard, OH) is a fourth-year music education major whose primary instrument is trombone. He is involved in multiple ensembles including Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Trombone Choir. Tristan is an Eagle Scout and is also an active brother of the music service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. Tristan likes to play video games and spend time with friends and family. He looks forward to serving the community another year as a School of Music Ambassador! Contact Tristan!
Jonathan Mitchell (Westerville, OH) is a fourth-year music education student whose primary instrument is flute. He also has experience playing both piano and cello. A member of The Ohio State Wind Symphony, Flute Troupe and a flute quartet, as well as serving as treasurer of both the Central Ohio Flute Association (COFA) and the Ohio State NAfME chapter, Jonathan stays active within the School of Music. While his major is in education, he also enjoys performing in both solo and ensemble settings, composing, and acting. Jonathan is very grateful that the School of Music allows and encourages him to pursue all his artistic passions, and he is more than willing to speak with prospective students who are interested in doing the same. Contact Jonathan!
Alessandro Nocera (Delaware, OH) is a fourth-year music education major whose primary instrument is trumpet. He has been a member of The Ohio State Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Men’s Glee Club, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Workshop Big Band, Gospel Choir and Trumpet Cheers. Besides serving as a School of Music Ambassador, Alessandro is a member of both the Student Advisory Counsel for the Marching Band and the Music Leadership Team for the Marching Band’s Summer Sessions, as well as a Day Counselor for the Ohio State Marching Band’s Summer Clinic. Additionally, he participated in the School of Music’s Brazilian Study Abroad Program. Contact Alessandro!
Eric Oxsalida (Bay Village, OH) is a fourth-year instrumental music education student whose primary instrument is bass trombone. He has played in numerous School of Music ensembles including Trombone Choirs, Marching Band, Athletic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band and University Band. He is also an active brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, a National Honorary Band Fraternity. In his spare time, Eric likes to cook and spend time with friends. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet and work with new students, and help them adjust to the Buckeye Community. Contact Eric!
Nick Paul (Marysville, OH) is a fourth-year double major, pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in music and history. After completing his undergraduate degrees, he plans to attend law school. Nick is a member of the saxophone studio where he performs both solo and saxophone quartet work. Outside of the School of Music, Nick is the treasurer of the Law and Society Scholars. In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time with his friends and family, cooking, and playing with his cats. Contact Nick!
Favius Peña-Amaya (Pataskala, OH) is a third-year music education major whose primary instrument is clarinet. He is a member of the Symphonic Band, The Ohio State University Marching Band, the Men’s Glee Club, and a woodwind quintet. Additionally, Favius is a brother of the Eta Chapter of the National Honorary Band Fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. Outside of school, Favius enjoys reading, watching movies and TV shows, and spending quality time with friends and family. Contact Favius!
Stephanie Ranallo (Geneva, OH) is a third-year student pursuing a dual degree in music and in arts management. Her primary instrument is voice, with a concentration in performance. She is a member of the Ohio State Chorale, and most recently performed the role of Dido in the 2023 spring opera Dido and Aeneas. Stephanie also works as a teacher at a local music school. In her free time, she loves reading and playing sand volleyball on campus. Contact Stephanie!
Clara Rudy (Grove City, OH) is a third-year music performance major and an economics minor. Her primary instrument is piano, but she also enjoys playing violin in Symphony Orchestra. Clara is an active performer in the Columbus area and has had the opportunity to play for university events and sub as a pianist for the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. Outside of the School of Music, she enjoys participating in the Undergraduate Economics Society. In her free time, Clara enjoys watching football and hockey games, getting coffee with friends, thrifting, and watching sunsets. Contact Clara!
Samantha Sayar (Atlanta, Georgia) is a third-year music education major with a heavy emphasis on vocal performance. She is an active member of the Ohio State Chorale, Opera Theatre, and the student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Aside from performing, Samantha loves reading, going on walks, and spending time with friends. Samantha is thrilled to serve as a School of Music Ambassador this year! Contact Samantha!
Leigha Schumaker (Toledo, OH), currently in her fourth year, is a double major in voice performance and music education. She is involved in Chorale, Women’s Glee Club, and Opera Theatre at Ohio State. She is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, and works for a local church. In her free time, Leigha enjoys reading and listening to music. Contact Leigha!
Joshua Sommers (Ashtabula, OH) is in his fourth year, studying instrumental music education. His primary instrument is jazz drum set. This year is Josh’s second year of study at Ohio State. Previously, he attended the University of Akron for two years, where he majored in instrumental music education, classical percussion performance, and jazz studies simultaneously. Between the University of Akron and Ohio State, Josh has a wide range of performance experience and pedagogical understanding. He has played in Ohio State’s Jazz Lab Big Band, Latin Jazz Combo, Bebop Combo, Gospel Choir, and African Drumming Ensemble; he can be seen playing gigs around Columbus or sitting in at local jam sessions. Last summer, Josh was one of 18 Ohio State students who received a life-changing experience on the Brazil Experience trip, which takes students to Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to perform, but more importantly to study the culture of the nation and its people. Josh is the vice president of Ohio State’s Jazz Club and a brother of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. Josh also serves his community in Northeast Ohio as the director of programming for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership–Ohio North Seminar. In his free time, Josh enjoys studying other global cultures, learning to play new instruments from Africa and South America, watching sports, and playing with his dog, Buddy. Contact Josh!
Charlotte Stefani (Cary, Illinois) is a fourth-year music education major. Her primary instrument is trombone, which she plays in Wind Symphony, Trombone Choir, and the Ohio State Marching Band. In addition to these ensembles, Charlotte is a sister of Tau Beta Sigma and is vice-president of the Buckeye Trombone Association. She is so excited for the opportunity to meet and work with new students, and looks forward to what the next year holds for the School of Music. Contact Charlotte!
Jakob Stephens (Waverly, OH) is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He is a student of Jim Rupp and member of the jazz drum studio. He serves as secretary of the Jazz Club at Ohio State, and Resident Advisor in Smith-Steeb Hall. He also works with the School of Music Stage Crew. Outside of school, Jakob likes listening to music, playing video games and D&D, and cooking good food! Contact Jakob!
Aidan Sullivan (Dayton, OH) is a third-year music education and cello performance major. He plays in the Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the Ohio State chapters of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA). He currently serves as the executive director of CellOhio, the cello ensemble and has directed the pit orchestra for Off the Lake Production’s spring musical. In his free time Aidan enjoys attending concerts, watching movies, and playing in a variety of extracurricular ensembles. Contact Aidan!
Jordan Updegrove (Van Wert, OH) is a third-year music education major whose primary instrument is trombone. He is a member of the Symphonic Band and Men's Glee Club; additionally he is a member of a campus ministry and loves volunteering his musical talent to local churches. Outside of music, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and playing video games. He is very passionate about music education and is always willing to answer questions for students considering pursuing this career path. Contact Jordan!
Coral Varian (Lewis Center, OH) is a fourth-year music education major and flute primary. She serves as president of Ohio State’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Women’s Music Fraternity, and vice president of Ohio State's National Association for Music Education (NAfME) collegiate chapter. Additionally, Coral serves as secretary for the Central Ohio Flute Association (COFA), is an active member of the Ohio State Flute Troupe, and has participated in wind band ensembles throughout her time at Ohio State. Coral has also worked as an Ohio State music camp counselor and music theory tutor for several semesters. Outside of class she enjoys working in a local gelateria, playing in the Grace Polaris orchestra, reading, and spending time with friends. Contact Coral!
Questions?
Email Tanya Sparks, School of Music recruitment and admissions coordinator, at sparks.348@osu.edu.