From newpaltz.edu/40underforty
Benjamin Basile ’11
Department of Music alum Benjamin Basile ’11 was named to SUNY New Paltz's 2024 40 Under Forty alumni list.
According to his 40 Under Forty profile, Basile is a bassist, educator, and composer from the Hudson Valley. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Jazz Studies from New Paltz and a music performance certificate from Dutchess Community College. Basile has composed, recorded, performed, and toured across six continents with various groups—most notably, as a member of Big D and The Kids Table since 2013.
Basile is a founding member of the Poughkeepsie Jazz Project, which has hosted a weekly jazz jam session in Poughkeepsie, NY, since 2012.
Photo provided
Saskia Kamerling ’23
Violinist and violist Saskia Kamerling ’23 received a Fulbright Fellowship to study folk music at the University of Limerick in Ireland, where she is set to begin a one-year master's program in Irish traditional music performance in September 2024.
While a student at New Paltz, Kamerling was in the Honors Program, and also served as a student ambassador, a student assistant in the Office of Admission, and secretary of the Residence Hall Student Association. During her senior year, she founded the New Paltz Session, a traditional music club for playing fiddle music.
Kamerling, a Saratoga native, hopes the Fulbright will lead to a career in academia teaching traditional music, and describes the Limerick program as "half academic, half vocational."
"I'm hoping it will make that dream a little bit easier to achieve than if I was entirely on my own," said Kamerling of her scholarship. "I'm expecting the support that is going to come with this Fulbright, and the resources and people I'm going to meet, will make my hopeful future in bringing traditional music to other people a possibility. I'm very excited."
Music Therapy Students Defend Theses
Five graduate music therapy students successfully defended their theses on May 10 in College Hall. Congratulations to Anne McGoldrick, who presented "Ticcing to the Beat of My Own Drum"; Danielle Lussier, who presented "Exploring the Role of Intersectionality in Current Music Therapy Practices"; Jonah Pomerantz, who presented "Music Therapy for Treating Spiritual Health Needs of People with Substance Use Disorder"; Michael Flanagan, who presented "Clinical Decision Making in Hospice Music Therapy"; and Xiaoyu Zhu, who presented "Music Therapy and Music Medicine for Pain Management in Cancer Patients: A Rapid Review."
From newpaltz.edu
Krista DiMaggio ’24
Krista DiMaggio ’24, a music major who concentrated in classical performance, was recognized for academic excellence as a spring 2024 Outstanding Graduate.
According to SUNY New Paltz, Outstanding Graduates "are truly the 'best of the best': students who have gone above and beyond as scholars and leaders in the classroom, and also in independent research experiences, engagement with clubs and honor societies, conference attendance and presentations, internships, jobs, and other co-curricular activities."
From daniellelussier.com
Danielle Lussier ’24g
Danielle Lussier ’24g (Music Therapy) was named a spring 2024 Outstanding Graduate, an honor which recognizes academic excellence in graduating seniors.
According to SUNY New Paltz, Outstanding Graduates "are truly the 'best of the best': students who have gone above and beyond as scholars and leaders in the classroom, and also in independent research experiences, engagement with clubs and honor societies, conference attendance and presentations, internships, jobs, and other co-curricular activities."
