Music

Natalie Feldpausch
Hometown: St. Johns, MI
High School: Home Educated
Home Studio/Teacher: Dr. Gretchen Morse 

Ensemble/Production/Organizational Involvement at GVSU:
New Music Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra

How did you get into your field, and what led you to come to GVSU to study it?
I began playing oboe when I was eleven, and ever since then I constantly desire to improve my abilities and make the best music I possibly can. Several of my siblings attended Grand Valley for music, and they always spoke fondly of their experiences. In the end, it was the high quality ensembles, faculty, and especially the oboe professor, Dr. Marlen Vavříková, that convinced me GVSU was the best place to earn my undergraduate degree.

What are some of your favorite memories from GVSU?
Playing in ensembles has been the highlight of my time here at Grand Valley. My favorite concerts include playing Barnes’ “Symphony No. 2” in Wind Symphony, performing an oboe concerto with the Symphony Orchestra, and every concert I get to play in the New Music Ensemble. Outside of music, I love attending football games with my friends, and cheering loudly for both the team and the marching band. I also enjoy walking through the Ravines, and watching the sunrise or the sunset over campus.

What is one thing you learned in your discipline while at Grand Valley?
The connections you make during music school with your professors and peers will be some of the most valuable relationships for your future career. Do not be shy in rehearsals and classes, make an effort to hangout with your fellow classmates and ask for advice from the music faculty!

What are your plans for the future?
I will be attending graduate school at the University of Michigan, majoring in Music Performance.

"I am lucky to be among some of the brightest students and most talented musicians at Grand Valley. I am thankful to be receiving this award, but I would also like to acknowledge that many of my classmates are just as, if not more deserving of this honor."

Theatre

Katie Rain Auberle
Hometown: Warren, MI
High School: Warren Mott High School and the Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts (WCSPA)

Ensemble/Production/Organizational Involvement at GVSU:
Acting Credits: (Character/Show) Paris/ The Arraignment of Paris; Macduff/ Mac Beth; All Together Now; Player (u/s), Tragedian, and Horatio/ Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead; Quincy, Edna (u/s)/ Mr. Burns: a Post Electric Play; Casey/ Collective Grouping of Animals; Lead Witch, Titania, Lady Macbeth, First Murderer, Myself/ Bard to Go; Bardic Inspiration; Gloria, Nan/ Gloria; Lady Plumdale/ The Presentation; Ensemble, Dance Captain/ Rent; Businesswoman/ Tracks; Diane (u/s)/ The Birds Costuming Credits: (Role/ Show) Costume Designer/ Orphan Trains; Dresser/ Ernest Maltravers; Assistant Costume Designer/ Mr. Burns: a Post Electric Play; Wardrobe Head/ Merry Wives of Windsor; Costume Designer/ In Love and Warcraft; Costume Designer/ Pony Up; Assistant Costume Designer/ Rent; Wardrobe Head and Wig Stylist/ The Rivals Directing Credits: (Role/ Show) Assistant Director/ The Importance of Being Earnest; Director/ The Baltimore Waltz

How did you get into your field, and what led you to come to GVSU to study it?
I started in theatre when I was very young playing the sun in Frosty the Snowman when I was in kindergarten, and since then I just never stopped. I am grateful I found what I want to do for the rest of my life from such a young age. I chose to study theatre at GVSU because I loved the campus and I loved that it was a smaller program. After attending a large theatre program in high school, I was excited to be a big fish in a small pond for the first time.

What are some of your favorite memories from GVSU?
One of my favorite memories was getting to direct my own show here at GVSU. This past fall I had the opportunity to direct The Balitmore Waltz by Paula Vogel. Working with the cast, and the crew and designers and production team, everything about the process was a dream. I loved every second of being in that rehearsal room with the most incredible people. The Baltimore Waltz was one of the best theatre experiences I’ve had both in and outside of GV Theatre. Another favorite memory of mine is attending the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in 2023 and 2024. I was also nominated to compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship in 2022 but the festival was still online. Being able to go in person was an unforgettable experience. I loved being able to meet peers from all over the region and see what kind of theatre work they were doing. With that, it was fun opportunity to get closer with my friends already in the program at GVSU. One of my favorite parts of the experience was in 2023 when I attended, another school performed The Birds. All of us who attended loved the show so much we asked to perform it at GVSU, and surely enough the show was a part of the next season and I was able to perform in it.

What is one thing you learned in your discipline while at Grand Valley?
It is difficult to choose only one thing that I learned about theatre while here at GVSU. I have had the privilege of attending a specialized theatre high school and do theatre almost my whole life, but my time at GV has taught me so much. I learned about specific acting techniques, I found a love (and skill) for directing, was able to hone my skills in costuming and design 3 more shows in my 4 years, but perhaps the most important thing I learned about my discipline is that I belong in it. After 4 years of high school being surrounded by incredibly talented people, I was weary entering college if theatre was something I had the skills to pursue. I originally started as a Political Science major and a theatre minor because I was too afraid to jump headfirst into doing theatre as a career. When coming to GV I started right away taking every opportunity in theatre I could, despite starting in the middle of the pandemic. Less than one month into my freshman year I had seen other people in and out of the theatre department know what they were going to do with their lives and being happy with their future and I knew instantly that my life would not feel complete without pursuing theatre and changed my major to theatre. Grand Valley has always made me feel like I had a real place here and that I belonged in the field I love so dearly, even in the midst of a global pandemic where theatre was difficult to produce. I do not know where I would be if I had not attended GV and learned that lesson.

What are your plans for the future?
Following graduation, I hope to work an apprenticeship at a theater in costuming, directing, or acting. I am currently interviewing at a few theaters that I am excited about. Long term I would love to work as a professional actor or costumer in theatre. 

"I am so grateful for being awarded with the Excellence in a Discipline award and I am so grateful for all of the students, staff, and faculty at Grand Valley who have helped shape me into the artist, performer, and person I am proud to be today. Thank you."

Dance

Alaina Hogan
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
High School: Home Educated
Home Studio: Ballet Theatre of Carmel Academy
Secondary Major or Minor(s): Mathematics

Ensemble/Production/Organizational Involvement at GVSU:
I am involved in Momentum, a student organization that provides students with choreography and performing experience.

How did you get into your field, and what led you to come to GVSU to study it?
When I was two years old, I used to watch my older sister dance through a window, bawling because all I wanted to do was join. As soon as I turned three I began taking classes, which began my dancing career. After swearing up and down that I would not go to college for dance, my senior year I began applying to programs and decided that I wanted to dance in college. One of my former teachers, Lauren Blane, is an alumnus, which encouraged me to explore the dance program here at GVSU. When I auditioned, I was drawn into the uplifting community and professors, as well as the rigor of the choreography being executed by the dancers. Furthermore, as an avid academic, I was excited to learn more about the history of dance as well as choreography.

What are some of your favorite memories from GVSU?
Definitely rehearsals with my capstone cast! I was extremely fortunate to work with seven dancers on a piece that explored mathematical ideas with dance, and the time we spent together will forever be cherished. Another memory is from freshman year, when my entire class performed a piece choreographed by Hannah Seidel in Lubbers Stadium with the laker marching band. During this performance, there was wind, rain, lightning, and hail, yet somehow we were still able to perform! The most recent memory was getting to perform with my peers at Frederick Meijer Gardens this past February. A collaboration between music and dance, the experience of being connected with sculptural art, music, and the community was a truly special experience.

What is one thing you learned in your discipline while at Grand Valley?
Over the course of my education, I have learned how broad the scope is for what we as humans consider to be “dance”. While at first I thought that dance was very specific, I have understood that dance is an intrinsic part of life that every human partakes in, and is simultaneously a skill, an art, and a necessary byproduct of humanity.

What are your plans for the future?
I am currently planning on applying to graduate school in the fall with the hope of studying scientific computing or computational mathematics. Since dance is a passion of mine, while in graduate school my goal is to stay involved in the industry by teaching, performing, and/or choreographing free-lance.

"I am absolutely honored to be receiving this award and give my deepest thanks to my professors who have believed in me all these years. Thank you so much, I am truly blessed!"

2023

Music: Stephanie Bueche
Theatre: Anna Compton
Dance: Megan Vernier

2022

Music: Tumaini Sango
Theatre: Hamlet Arnott
Dance: Megan Wolter

2021

Music: Jim Groelsma 
Theatre: Marcus Chapman
Dance: Rya Greene 

2020

Music: Sharon Yi-Hsuan Wu
Theatre: Allyson Albrecht
Dance: Zoe Lionas