Curran Bramhall

Curran Robert Bramhall is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. Curran recently earned a BM in Music Education at USC, where he was an active member of the choral ensembles. While at USC, Curran also received his Performance Certificate in voice. He also participated in a musical theater production, “Rocky Mountain High,” playing the role of Bork. He completed student teaching at both Deerfield Elementary and Gilbert High School, and he conducted the students in their final concerts. During his time as an undergraduate, Curran was the Assistant Music Director at St. Peter’s Basilica. He is also a Tenor Choral Scholar at St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a soloist in their performance of Handel’s ”Messiah.” Curran acted as Assistant Musical Director for a production of “The Wizard of Oz”  at Village Square Theater. He also performed in the musical variety show entitled “Showtune” by Jerry Herman with the Broad River Arts Center. Curran is thrilled to be a member of the cohort and cannot wait to start this new chapter in the Choral Conducting Master's Program.

Savannah Fallis

Savannah Fallis is pursuing a Doctorate of Music in Choral Conducting at University of South Carolina. Savannah received a Bachelor of Choral Music Education from the University of Kentucky in 2018 and Masters in Choral Conducting at Southern Illinois University in 2025.  Previously, she taught for 8 years at McCracken County High School in Paducah, KY, managing four choral ensembles and two a cappella groups, in addition to teaching AP Music Theory, private vocal instruction, and assisting with the musical. Her ensembles consistently received distinguished ratings at Kentucky Music Educators Association choral assessment, including performance with the Advanced Treble Choir at the KMEA Conference in 2024. Savannah is an active member of American Choral Directors Association, sending multiple students to national honor choirs each year, and served as the KMEA District 1 Choral Chair for 7 years. In 2020 and 2026, Ms. Fallis was awarded KMEA District 1 High School Teacher of the Year.  In addition to leading choral ensembles, Savannah has helped produce over 20 musical theatre shows in Paducah at Market House Theatre and MCHS. She is passionate to reach singers of all ages and abilities through music, regardless of cost or experience. 

Cathryn Whittington

Cathryn Whittington is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. Cathryn recently earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Mercer University where she served as Teaching Assistant to Mercer Women’s Chamber Choir and was an active participant in choral ensembles and Mercer Opera. Cathryn also served as President of the Mercer chapter of the National Association for Music Education and was a dedicated member of the Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity. Outside of the university, Cathryn worked as the Senior High Vocal Coach for the Academy of Classical Education in Macon, Georgia where she taught musicianship and prepared students for All-State Chorus and GHSA Literary Competitions. In addition to choral music, Cathryn has a strong passion for theatre education having acted as Music Director for both Perry Players Community Theatre and the Houston County High School Youth Theatre Camp. Currently, Cathryn serves as a Choral Scholar at Shandon United Methodist Church. She is excited to start this new journey alongside such a wonderful cohort.

Jack Wilhelm

Jack Wilhelm is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. He recently earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Appalachian State University, where he was an active member of multiple choral ensembles and served as section leader for the University Singers. During his time at Appalachian State, Jack served as Music Director for the Rho Tau Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and as Baritone Choir Intern at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Valle Crucis. He also served as assistant director of the Appalachian Chorale through the Community Music School at Appalachian State and worked as a counselor at Cannon Music Camp, where he assisted with the choral and jazz vocal ensembles. As a performer, Jack has appeared in productions with the Appalachian Opera Theatre and Opera at USC, including Dido and Aeneas, A Little Night Music, Gianni Schicchi, The Consul, Les Mamelles de Tirésias, and Lo Scoiattolo in Gamba. He is an active soloist and choral singer, having appeared as a soloist with the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and performed with the Charlotte Master Chorale. Jack currently serves as a Baritone Staff Singer at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. He looks forward to continuing to grow as a conductor, educator, and performer while pursuing his graduate studies at the University of South Carolina.

Kaiyu Wu

Kaiyu Wu is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. He previously earned a Master of Arts in Music Education with a specialization in Choral Conducting from the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Hungary and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the Central Conservatory of Music, China. An active conductor and educator, Kaiyu founded and directs the Doppler Singers, a diverse vocal ensemble in Hungary, leading the group in concerts featuring both classical and contemporary repertoire, including 21st-century Chinese choral works. He has served as Assistant Conductor of the Csíkszerda Choir and as Guest Conductor for the Ars Nova Vocal Ensemble, performing works by Mendelssohn, Stroope, and other composers. In addition to conducting, Kaiyu has extensive experience in choral education, having led senior choirs and implemented Kodály-based music curricula during teaching practicums at primary schools in Beijing. He is dedicated to promoting cross-cultural exchange through choral music.

Hyemi Woo

Hyemi Woo is pursuing the DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina, where she serves as a choral graduate assistant and accompanist. She earned the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Colorado State University, where she led the Chamber Choir and Concert Choir as a graduate assistant and served as chorus master for opera productions. In February 2024, she was selected as assistant conductor for the SWACDA Collegiate Honor Choir. She completed her undergraduate studies at Yonsei University, where she majored in Choral Conducting and completed a double major in Child and Family Studies. She conducted the World Vision Children’s Choir. She also served for eight years as assistant conductor with the Majestic Youth Orchestra, preparing and presenting major symphonies by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mendelssohn, among others. She is an accomplished organist who performs at a professional level. She began as a church accompanist at a young age and developed a strong foundation in sacred repertoire and collaborative keyboard work. She has contributed to music films as a conductor and musical adviser, and she has taught children’s choir and general music; she has also taught after school music programs for many years. Her research interests focus on a cappella choral music from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary repertoire and on rehearsal pedagogy for unaccompanied singing, with attention to intonation, tuning, and ensemble color.