
BM Music Performance ’25
Keene State College is proud to announce that Victoria Young is the recipient of The Presser Foundation’s 2024-25 Undergraduate Scholar Award. The Award is designed to encourage and support the education of a music student who has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributed to an inclusive community.
In the department, Victoria is held in high regard by student peers and faculty. She promotes a welcoming energy and works to include campus and greater community partners in our events. She is the primary tutor for the music theory curriculum bringing first-generation students up to standard in the coursework. She was voted by her peers as the KSC Concert Band outstanding member of the year for her work to support the musical, social and emotional needs of ensemble members. Victoria was a huge administrative force in the creation of a multi-day, international symposium on music equity, inclusion and diversity advancing the Mission of Keene State forward. In the community setting, Victoria works as a K-12 public school substitute teacher and an intern for the summer Tanglewood Music Institute where she cultivates a positive and supportive learning community for young and adolescent learners.
The Presser Foundation, formed by music educator and publisher Theodore Presser, provides philanthropic support of music and serves a broad and diverse community of musicians, educators, and music lovers. To honor Mr. Presser’s commitment to music education, The Presser Foundation supports undergraduate students across the country committed to advancing music through their studies.
We are happy to present this prestigious Award to support and recognize Victoria Young’s work.

BM Music Education & BM Vocal Performance ’25
“I am currently student teaching in Peterborough, New Hampshire, at South Meadow School, working with choirs from grades 5-8. I have been strongly influenced by many of the classes I’ve taken here at KSC and even more so by the professors. Every semester at KSC I have taken voice lessons with Dr. Carberg and he has always pushed me to be the best musician and student I could be.
A class that influenced me greatly as a musician was jazz combos which was led by Steve Cady. In that class, I really learned how to express myself musically and was given an opportunity to hone my skills on bass and to develop my own improvisational voice. Another professor who has greatly influence my teaching philosophy is Dr. Howard, who taught me a great deal in choral music education, concert choir and my student conducting. And her passion for choral education continues to inspire me today.
Over my years at KSC I’ve taken numerous classes on music theory, history, pedagogy and music education which have all helped me learn the content knowledge and teaching skills needed to be a successful music educator.”

Keene State College prides itself on being a welcoming and supportive community where students make friendships that last a lifetime. Even though students can no longer interact in-person, they are getting creative and finding ways to connect online. Music education majors Will Wright ’20, Jason Coburn ’20, and Andy LeCuyer ’20 have been recording music together and sharing their virtual performances on social media.
“For us, it’s the closest thing we have to performing the songs we’ve been practicing for Jazz Ensemble,” said Will of Holden, MA, who’s instrumental specialization is the trombone. “Also, our social media feeds feel full of upsetting content, so this is our way of adding a moment of positivity or escape for our friends and family.”
“It’s also fun! We’re all musicians – we live to play,” added Andy of Milford, NH, who’s specializing in the drums. “We went from playing music and being around music for 8 to 10 hours a day, to nothing. We’re hungry to make music and this is our way to do that.”
“For me, this is a way to get closure on the semester since we moved to remote learning so quickly. We can still feel like we’re at school and reflect back on what we’ve done, because we’ve performed a lot through the years and learned a lot of music. So, it’s nice to have a way to make music remotely,” continued Jason of Londonderry, NH, who’s specialization is the piano.
When they’re not jamming out, Will, Jason, and Andy are remote student teaching at Keene Middle School, Keene High School, and Rindge Memorial School respectively this semester. “The music education program at Keene State is really strong. We’re learning how to teach a wide range of students from K to 12,” Jason said. “We also get a lot of student teaching experience, plus the ensemble performing groups.”
“Keene has a really vibrant music scene,” added Will. “We’ve had fun playing in community groups such as the Keene Jazz Orchestra, which was founded by former Keene State Music Professor Scott Mullett. In addition, the music department has become our second family. Since needing to rework our student teaching plans to online learning, the professors have been so supportive. Knowing our professors are in the same boat as us is comforting.”
To create these virtual short concerts, the students record their parts individually and compile them using an app called Acapella. Enjoy one of their recent virtual performances, “The Jazz Police” by Gordon Goodwin featuring Will on the trombone, Jason on the piano, and Andy on the drums, below. Visit Will’s Instagram account @Will_Wright_Music for more mini shows.