Bienen School of Music

A Bienen School education provides students with skills and values that prepare them for success wherever their interests may lead. Alumni hold positions as performers, administrators, and educators in leading arts and educational institutions throughout the world.

Success Stories

Aspen Buckingham (’23)

He cofounded Overture Games. Intervallic, the company's audio-responsive video game, aims to gamify instrument practice.

Read about Aspen

Kate Lee (’17)

As director of choirs at Maine East High School in Illinois, Kate was named Outstanding Early Career Educator of the year.

Read about Kate

Darsan Swaroop Bellie (’22)

Darsan created the Star Eyes Initiative, a jazz group that uses original compositions to communicate scientific concepts.

Read about Darsan

Kellen “Pom Pom” Pomeranz (’11)

Pom Pom is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and music producer. She co-produced and co-wrote John Legend’s Bigger Love.

Read about Pom Pom

Career Outcomes

Noelle Ike (’19) is a content strategist at Carnegie Hall

Noelle is the Associate Director of Digital Content Strategy at Carnegie Hall, where she leads organic and paid social media, digital marketing initiatives, various video projects, and the editorial strategy of Carnegie Hall’s digital content. From launching the Hall's TikTok account to creating its online articles site and regularly interviewing musicians, she credits her background as a violinist as key to understanding how best to work with artists, champion their craft, and tell their stories.

Jack Farnham (’22) is a New World Symphony Fellow

After completing his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern, Jack Farnham ’22 went on to the Juilliard School for graduate studies. In fall 2024, he was named a fellow of the New World Symphony, a highly competitive training orchestra that prepares young musicians for leadership roles in professional orchestras and ensembles.

Jordyn Rueda (’21) is a clarinetist in the United States Navy Band

Clarinetist Jordyn Rueda ’21 is a Musician First Class in the United States Navy Band. She joined the Navy Band in 2021 shortly after graduating from Northwestern. Dozens of Bienen alumni hold positions in premier military bands.

Aaron Blick (’18) is a member of the San Diego Symphony

After graduating from Bienen, double bassist Aaron Blick ’18 returned to his home town of Los Angeles to earn a master's degree at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. He joined the San Diego Symphony’s bass section in 2022. Aaron has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, among many others.

Caitlin Finnie (’16) plays Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera

Caitlin Finnie ’16 (center) performs the leading role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera in China (pictured here with recent costars and fellow Bienen alumni Michael Gillis ’99, left, as the Phantom and Matt Leisy ’03 as Raoul).

Performing Ensembles

Bienen alumni are members of renowned performing ensembles across the country and around the world, including:

• Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Toronto Symphony Orchestras
• Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics
• Lyric Opera of Chicago, Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Washington National Opera Orchestras
• U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine and Navy Bands
• Eighth Blackbird, Ensemble Dal Niente, International Contemporary Ensemble, JACK Quartet, Spektral Quartet, and Third Coast Percussion

Keep Exploring

See how the school prepares its students for success.