2022-23 President's Scholars

Ellen Shaw

Nicole Christine Coté President’s Scholar

Major: Music - Composition

College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences

University Programs: Music Board President; Learning Resource Center: Music subject tutor and Learning Strategist; Sigma Kappa Sorority, Resident Advisor 

A theory class transformed Ellen Shaw’s enthusiasm for music into the confidence to become a music composer. “I have always loved music theory and harmonic analysis, but never in a million years would think that I could make a career out of it. Professor Evan Ware truly helped me see my passion for the subject and how it sparks a light under me.” Finding support has also included joining Sigma Kappa sorority, where Ellen “has made amazing friends that empower me to blossom into a stronger version of myself.” Remote learning strengthened Ellen’s desire to make the most of her newly found music interests and to value connections, including becoming a resident advisor and mentoring students as a subject tutor in the Learning Resource Center. Hoping to eventually teach after graduate school, Ellen says that what motivates her to graduate is “to further diversity in the music theory field. As a music professor, I want to continue to work towards diversifying my curriculum to ensure that each of my prospective students is represented in their educational experience.”