News
In the Practice Room with Phoebe Durand McDonnell ’19
May 6, 2019
Conservatory Communications Staff
The accomplished harpist experiences a world of influences, without even leaving Oberlin.
![smiling student on campus](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/phoebe-14_copy.jpg?itok=fTBQulM_)
Opera-tunity Knocks: Elissa Pfaender '16
May 2, 2019
Julie Gulenko '15
A surprise phone call led to a life-changing experience for soprano Elissa Pfaender '16.
![photo by Matt Payne soprano Elissa Pfaender '16](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/epfaenderheadshot.jpg?itok=vphsYkGe)
College Announces 2019 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients
May 1, 2019
Communications Staff
Apple executive Lisa Jackson will give the keynote Commencement address; scientist Joanne Chory and broadcast journalist Robert Krulwich ’69 will also receive honorary degrees.
![Lisa Jackson headshot Headshot of woman named Lisa Jackson](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/jackson_apple.jpg?itok=1TH41z4a)
Voice Professor Daune Mahy Honored with May 12 Celebration
May 1, 2019
Erich Burnett
Beloved teacher intersected with virtually every Oberlin singer over her 39-year career.
![photo of Daune Mahy](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/rs59121_daune_mahy_1.jpg?itok=8CUDwj2T)
Queer Country Singer Eli Conley ’08 Helps Others Find Their Voice
April 30, 2019
Amanda Nagy
Eli Conley returned to Oberlin earlier this spring to perform and lead a workshop on social justice songs.
![Eli Conley workshop Picture of people sitting in a circle around a person playing guitar](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/eliconleyworkshp1-michael_hartman.jpg?itok=r1jHHQvj)
Calibrating Approaches to Art: Elka Lee-Shapiro ’18
April 26, 2019
Phoebe Pan ’20
Elka Lee-Shapiro ’18 is working with various arts organizations and museums to show how engagement with art can result in social and political impact.
![Elka Lee-Shapiro ’18 Elka Lee-Shapiro](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/elka_l-s_headshot.jpg?itok=6ZOhiBeJ)
Education through Performance: Kiéla Nelson ’18
April 25, 2019
Phoebe Pan ’20
Kiéla Nelson ’18 is helping cultivate unique and well-rounded learning experiences for youth in Chicago through teaching and performing.
![Kiéla Nelson ’18 Headshot of Kiela Nelson](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/kiela_n_headshot.jpeg?itok=pIEyRDBA)
Nina Josephson ’19 Receives AICUO Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts
April 24, 2019
Erin Ulrich ’18
Nina Josephson ’19 has been selected as one of six college students from throughout Ohio to receive the AICUO Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts.
![Nina Josephson ’19 Headshot of Nina Josephson with her artwork](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/nina_josephson_headshot.jpg?itok=O0HI5Kxh)
Life as a Teaching Artist: Andre Cardine ’18
April 23, 2019
Phoebe Pan ’20
Through freelance work and teaching jobs, Andre Cardine ’18 balances life as a music instructor and as an artist.
![From left to right: Andre Cardine ’18, Thobeka Mnisi ’18, Afia Ofori-Mensa, Niya Smith ’18, and Brian Cabral ’18 at the Office of Undergraduate Research Senior Symposium Andre Cardine, Thoebeka Mnisi, Afia Ofori-Mensa, Niya Smith, and Brian Cabral stand next to each other with their arms around each other in the King building](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/andre_c_body_photo.jpeg?itok=yWVuHFpM)
Studio Art Faculty Receive Grants from Ohio Arts Council
April 22, 2019
Amanda Nagy
Individual Excellence Awards recognize exceptional merit of an artist’s past body of work.
![Mimi Kato Payday Artistic image of women in forest](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/fp_w360_h270/public/content/news/image/payday.jpg?itok=CSV9q6WZ)