“Celebration of Excellence” Recognizes Performing Arts Graduates

On Monday, Aprill 22, the College of Performing Arts will recognize graduating seniors for their exceptional performance with Medallion Awards. Medallions are awarded to students who exhibit artistic excellence and academic achievement through their contributions to their programs and particiaption in college activities. 

During "A Celebration of Excellence," award recipients will present excerpts of their work in instrumental and vocal performance, theatre, dance, music industry and music education. 

Please join the College of Performing Arts in celebration the 2024 Medallion Award Recipients. 

The 2024 College of Performing Arts Medallion Award recipients:

Allison Bagliani - Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award of Outstanding Excellence in Singing 
With passionate pipes, Vocal Music Education major Allison Bagliani will receive this year’s award for excellence in singing. The Hammonton native performed in a number of College of Performing Arts productions including, The Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (AriaFest 1), Cleopatra in Handel’s Giulio Cesare (AriaFest 2), Mum in Britten’s Albert Herring (MasterWorks: Opera Scenes), Rosalinda in the Spring 2022 full production of Die Fledermaus and Mimi in the Spring 2023 full production of Portraits of La Bohème.

During her time at Rowan, Bagliani was a member of the Rowan Concert Choir, Opera Company, National Association of Music Educators (NAfME) chapter and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).  

“Her senior recital was performed with sound technique and an artistic level of maturity not often found in one so young,” says Marian Stieber, professor of voice and director of the Rowan Opera Company. “A fitting tribute to her hard work, commitment to study and love for performing.” 

Stieber also commended Bagliani for her performance of Mimi in La Boheme, adding that she has one of the most rich and colorful soprano voices Steiber has worked with in 26 years.

Bagliani plans to begin her teaching career this coming fall and hopes to pursue her master’s degree in the future.

Sean Baker - W. Clarke Pfleeger Award for Musical Excellence & Jacobs Music Award
Rowan Concert Choir’s go-to accompanist Sean Baker is the recipient of two awards in recognition of his artistic excellence. Both awards are given to an outstanding performer for their artistic excellence and dedication to the Music Department.

A music performance major, Baker performed Concerto soloist for Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, Op.18; I. Moderato, in addition to collaborative pianist performances for recitals and performances for peers and department ensembles. The highlight from his time at Rowan was working with Dr. Christopher Thomas and the Rowan Concert Choir, putting on what Baker calls “some of the most magical performances I’ve ever experienced.”

Baker has placed first in many statewide competitions, representing his home state of New Jersey at the collegiate level since early 2020. He received the Presser Award and won Rowan’s Concerto Competition in 2023. 

“Creating musical experiences through means of accompanying and solo performances has been a time I am incredible grateful for,” says Baker.

Following graduation, Baker is headed to the University of Alabama’s School of Music where he will pursue a Master’s of Music in Performance and a Graduate Teaching Assistant position under the mentorship of Dr. Edisher Savitski.

Amanda Drayton - Bryna G. Goldhaft Dance Award
Crediting her friends, family and mentors for their guidance and inspiration, Dance major Amanda Drayton will receive one of the 2024 dance awards. Drayton performed in the Fall 2023 MainStage production, Convergence and worked with Professors Leslie Elkins and Leslie Bush on Dying Well. She is set to present her senior project, Next of Skin, on April 27 and 28.

Drayton serves as secretary for the Rowan University Hoofer’s Club and is the spring intern for FringeArts’ Programming & Development Team and Patron Services.

After completing her B.A. in Dance this spring, Drayton has her sights set on continuing her education in Arts Administration while working as a freelance performer and choreographer.

“Words cannot express how much this mean to be as a working artist,” says Drayton of the honor. “I am thankful for all the support, guidance, and opportunities during my time at Rowan University.”

Alec Lacher - Phillip Graneto Excellence in Theatre Award
Hailing from the sunshine state, Alec Lacher is this year’s recipient of the excellence in theatre award. He performed in Theatre & Dance MainStage productions, MONSTER and Equus and made his directorial debut this semester with the Rowan Lab Theatre production Shakespeare’s R&J.

A well-rounded student, Lacher will complete his B.A. in Theatre Arts this spring along with concentrations in Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre, Pre-Teaching, a minor in Creative Writing and a Certificate of Undergraduate Studies in Shakespearean Studies. He has served on the executive board of Campus Players and Alpha Psi Omega and works as an Admissions Ambassador for the University. 

“This is truly the cherry on top of graduating and makes me feel extremely proud of myself and the work I have done in my four years here,” says Lacher.

Lacher plans to move to Philadelphia and pursue his professional career.

Alyssa McAvoy- Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Music Production
Respected and trusted by both peers and department faculty, Alyssa McAvoy will receive this year’s award for excellence in Music Production. Originally from Shrewsbury, McAvoy is a Music Industry major with concentrations in both business and technology and a minor in entrepreneurship. 

McAvoy has held pivotal roles in the program, including recording studio manager, audio recording peer tutor and general manager of an indie record label in South Jersey. Committed to professional growth, she has also worked as an artist manager for acts like The Zombies, AJ Smith and Travie McCoy. In addition to her work for the department, McAvoy has been a member of Rowan’s Dance Team and Alpha Sigma Tau sorority for four years. 

Her favorite memory has been turning her senior project dream into a reality as the founder of the upcoming MainStreet Music and Arts Festival on April 6. McAvoy and her peers partnered with the town of Glassboro to create a musical festival united people from all walks of life through the university language of music and art.

As McAvoy approaches the end of her time at Rowan, her sights are set on securing a position in the music industry, whether as an artist manager or in live sound production.

Alexander Roberson - Bryna G. Goldhaft Dance Award
Often found with a speaker and some good music, theatre and dance double major Alexander Roberson is the recipient of one of the 2024 dance awards. Roberson performed in Theatre & Dance department MainStage productions Convergence, Exo-skin-esphere, and Making Good Trouble and in A Three-Fifth Proclamation: Come as You Are at the American Dance Festival. 

In his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, Roberson found his love of dancing and acting in middle school. He credits Rowan’s Theatre and Dance program with helping to take his ability to “groove and get down” and blend it with newfound modern dance ideas and techniques.

“This is a culmination of four years of hard work, and I give much credit to those who have helped me along the way,” says Roberson.

Roberson’s long-term plan is to create art by soaking in and exploring dance as much as possible to show others how to do the same.

Connor Shields - Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Performing Arts Education: 
This year’s recipient of the excellence in performing arts education award is theatre major Connor Shields. During his time at Rowan, Shields performed in several College of Performing Arts productions MONSTER: A frankenstein play and 21 Chump Street, as well as Phineas and Ferb the Musical and Too Much Light Makes Baby Go Blind. Professionally, he performed in the Grand Theatre Company’s productions of Kinky Boots and Spring Awakening. 

During his time outside of classes, Shields provides campus tours for visiting students as an Admissions Ambassador and served a teaching assistant alongside Dr. Elizabeth Hostetter for Cooper Medical School students, helping student doctors build connections with their patients. He is also a member of both Campus Players and Alpha Psi Omega honor society.

“Connor is going to be an amazing teacher,” says Hostetter. “He is curious and experienced in a wide variety of skill and a really gracious, generous, curious and open human being.”

After completing his B.A. this spring, the Holland, Pennsylvania native will continue Rowan’s 4+1 program in the Fall, working toward a Master’s of Science in Teaching for K-12. Shields hopes to work professionally in Philadelphia and/or South Jersey as an actor, director, educator and playwright.

Gregory Williams - Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Award
Dance major Gregory Williams of South River, New Jersey will receive this year’s award for excellence in theatre and dance. Williams performed in Department MainStage productions Convergence, Equus, Exo-skin-esphere, and Making Good Trouble and the Faculty Student Choreography Showcase. He also worked on Rowan alumni projects during the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Williams is the founder and president of the RU Hoofer’s Club, serves on the CPA Student Advisory Council and works as an Admissions Ambassador.

After commencement, Williams will return to his former dance company, Center Stage Dance and Theatre School as the Senior Company Tap Director. He hopes to increase his involvement with Philadelphia-based nonprofit, The Lady Hoofers, and adult tap company United Colleges Through Tap.