Get ready world! The next generation of top musical performers and educators (and biologists, nurses, engineers, veterinarians, aviators, and entrepreneurs) is headed your way. On Aprl 6, Merit’s Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory class of 2025, 48 seniors strong, took the stage to accept their diplomas, celebrate years of hard work and outstanding musical achievement, and begin the next phase of their musical and academic lives.
This year’s class carries on a long tradition of excellence among Merit Conservatory graduates, boasting an average GPA of 4.02, acceptances to many of the best universities and conservatory programs in the country, and dreams to match.
Get to know just a few of the graduating Conservatory seniors of whom we are so very proud, and learn a bit about their plans for the future. . .
Where Some of Our Grads Are Headed
Graduate Spotlights
Alejandro De Jesus
- Instruments: Bassoon
- Years at Merit: 18
- College/University: DePaul University
- Major: Music Performance
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? Music has taught me and changed me in many ways. It has taught me to be disciplined and educated, and it led me to making many connections and friendships that have helped me and shaped me.
Nathaniel Harrigan
- Instruments: Jazz Trumpet
- Years at Merit: 4
- College/University: John Hopkins Peabody Conservatory
- Major: Jazz Performance
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? Music [at Merit] has changed the way I view life. It has given me many happy memories and helped me meet new people from around the city.
Josie Kim
- Instruments: Violin
- Years at Merit: 3
- College/University: Columbia University
- Major: Computational Biology
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? As someone who has been academically focused on STEM subjects, I love studying music because it allows me to engage other parts of my brain that I normally don’t get to do. Music connects people and truly is a universal language that can convey so much depth and emotion. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to play at Merit these past few years and grow so much as a musician.
Walter Lopez
- Instruments: Percussion
- Years at Merit: 9
- College/University: Purdue University
- Major: Motorsports and Mechanical Engineering
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? Yes, music has taught me many things, but the number one thing is discipline. To have the mental capacity to sit and practice your instrument, or in my case stand and play with some sticks for hours, for the purpose of improving teaches principles that are applicable to every part of life.
Greta Woelke
- Instruments: Horn
- Years at Merit: 1
- College/University: University of North Texas
- Major: Music Education
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? I do believe being in music has changed me – for the better. I have not always been the greatest student, but since discovering my passion for and studying music, I have become better. I enjoy learning things in school now when I can relate them to my musical career. For example, studying physics and seeing the relationship between sound waves and how the brain’s auditory center processes sound and lets us hear music was so interesting to learn about. Learning about how math and music theory collide and coexist at the same time was actually mind-blowing to me.
Pictured above: Merit voice students Sofia Worthington (left) and Julia Weaver (right).
Sofia Worthington
- Instruments: Voice
- Years at Merit: 12
- College/University: George Washington University
- Major: Double Major – Economics and Music
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? Absolutely! Music is such a huge part of who I am, I genuinely don’t know who I’d be without the influence and lessons that music has taught me.
Nicole Yu
- Instruments: Piano
- Years at Merit: 12
- College/University: University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana
- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Do you think studying music has changed you as a person? If so, how? Yes, it’s a major part of my life now, and I’ve learned to appreciate music more and have met so many amazing people who have influenced me for the better.
