School of Music and Dance Announces 2026 Outstanding Students

Izzy Clough: Outstanding Undergraduate Student of Music Education

Izzy Clough is an outstanding undergraduate music education student who has focused her SDSU experience around performance, teaching, and mentorship.

During her time at SDSU, Clough participated in multiple ensembles, including University Chorus, Treble Choir, and Concert Band. She also served as a section leader in both University Chorus and Treble Choir, and recently conducted a piece in performance, expanding her leadership and musical direction skills.

Alongside her coursework, Clough teaches private music lessons and participates in a music education fellowship, where she works directly with students and a mentor teacher. She has worked with both individual students and classroom settings, gaining hands-on experience that has shaped her approach to teaching and strengthened her confidence in leading others.

“The biggest lessons I've learned from both of these experiences is to trust myself more when I'm teaching,” Clough said. “The more I've calmed my nerves and trusted myself and my confidence in what I'm teaching, the better teacher I am and the better experiences I have with the students.”

After graduation, Clough plans to earn her teaching credential and teach in the Los Angeles Unified School District, with long-term goals of pursuing a master’s degree in choral conducting or music education.

She credits Ramon Cardenas for his mentorship and support, which helped shape both her teaching practice and confidence as an educator, particularly through his guidance in her music education fellowship.

Her advice to incoming students: take time to enjoy the full college experience and appreciate each moment along the way.

Chloe Boatright is an outstanding undergraduate student double-majoring in dance and psychology. She has combined her academic studies with artistic practice to explore communication, expression, and human connection.

At SDSU, Boatright served as treasurer of the SDSU Dance Club, where she managed the organization’s budget and helped secure funding for student opportunities, including participation in the American College Dance Association Conference. She also conducted research through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program and the Faculty Student Mentorship Program, contributing to a collaborative project exploring choreographic methods and presenting findings at the SDSU Student Research Symposium. 

Her work bridges research and performance, and culminated in a dance piece presented in the 2026 University Dance Company Concert, where she further developed her voice as both a performer and creator.   

Boatright also contributed to making choreographic research more accessible by helping develop a multimedia platform to share these methods with other dancers.

“Over the past four years, I have grown and taken on leadership responsibilities I never would have imagined myself volunteering for,” Boatright said. “This process has helped me grow into myself, mature, and develop a new sense of confidence. I’ve learned how to stand up for myself, speak my mind, and take initiative across my personal life, academics, and creative and dance work.”

After graduation, Boatright plans to pursue graduate studies in counseling while continuing her dance training and exploring opportunities in performance, choreography, and teaching.

She credits Jessica Humphrey for her mentorship, which helped her grow as a dancer, collaborator, and researcher.

Her advice to incoming students: stay open to change, show up for yourself, and embrace new experiences along the way.

Stephanie Smith: Outstanding Graduate Student of Vocal Performance

Stephanie Smith is an outstanding graduate student earning a Master of Music in vocal performance. She developed a final recital showcasing a wide range of repertoire spanning multiple musical periods and composers including Bach, Rachmaninov, Rodrigo, and Milhaud.   

Her recital featured technically demanding works from the soprano repertoire that require intricate coloratura, vocal control, and emotional depth. Through these performances, Smith demonstrated both her technical skill and expressive artistry as a vocalist.

In addition to her work as a performer, Smith has developed a passion for teaching and directing during her time at SDSU. She taught undergraduate courses in music history and group voice while also exploring opera directing through assistant directing and leading her own opera scenes production.

“Not only do I aim to become a highly expressive performer within my career, but I also have great aspirations to become an impactful educator in higher academia,” Smith said.

Smith said the support and mentorship of SDSU faculty played a significant role in her artistic and professional growth across performance, teaching, and directing.

Her family and friends describe her as hardworking, driven, empathetic, and understanding, qualities that continue to shape her approach to both music and education.