Camille Day Nies

Diego Caetano

Nathaniel Fryml

A wealth of extraordinary talent, both familiar and fresh, will give the Music Department at Amarillo College a new look – and a typically compelling sound – this fall.

Joining AC’s music faculty are Dr. Diego Caetano, a prize-winning pianist of international renown, and Nathaniel Fryml, a versatile musician who recently completed doctoral coursework in choral music at the University of Southern California (USC).

Camille Day Nies, coordinator of AC’s Suzuki Program since 2000, has accepted the responsibilities of departmental chair.

"The Amarillo College Music Department has a history of providing a uniquely personal and quality education for students, connecting them to their art, and enriching our community's exceptional music scene,” Nies said. “Continuing this tradition of excellence is a priority for us all."

In addition to her many years teaching Suzuki and applied music in strings and voice at AC, Nies has been a member of the Amarillo Symphony viola section since she was 15. She also serves as principal violist with the Amarillo Opera orchestra.

A vocalist too, Nies has appeared with the Amarillo Opera in many roles, has been featured as a vocal soloist with the Amarillo Symphony, and she is an alumnae of the outdoor music drama TEXAS.

“We were extremely pleased when Camille agreed to chair the Music Department,” Victoria Taylor-Gore, dean of the School of Creative Arts, said. “We know she will provide exceptional leadership in this pivotal role.”

Nies wasted no time filling two openings on the faculty. She and a search committee reaped a bonanza of talent.

Dr. Dale Roller, a past (retired) chairman of the Music Department and a former member of the AC Board of Regents, attended several of the visits made to AC by candidates being considered by the search committee and endorsed the selections of both Caetano and Fryml.

“These candidates were very impressive both as individuals and musicians,” Roller said. “I can see wonderful things happening here. Amarillo College has always been, and it appears it will continue to be, a dynamic force for the arts in Amarillo and the High Plains area.”

The Brazilian-born Caetano, who joins the College as an assistant professor of music-piano, received his doctorate of musical arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He performs widely as a soloist and chamber musician and has appeared throughout the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, including performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

An advocate for contemporary music, Caetano has received the top prizes in more than 40 national and international piano competitions, some of which were: the Spartacco Rossi Piano Competition (2010), the Conservatory Music in the Mountains Concerto Competition (2013) and the Shining Stars International Concerto Competition (2014).

“I look forward to being part of and collaborating with the highly qualified Amarillo College faculty who excel at student-centered education,” Caetano said. “I look forward to sharing my passion for piano and music with students and community, and continuing the tradition of Amarillo College's excellence.”

The Canadian-born Fryml is currently engaged in dissertation research on choral music at USC. He will serve as both AC’s director of choral activities and as artistic director for the community-based Amarillo Master Chorale, which has long been affiliated with AC and also played a role in the faculty search.

“Amarillo Master Chorale appreciates the opportunity to participate in AC’s selection process,” said Master Chorale board member Joyce Ladd. “We are looking forward to the musical experiences we will create with our new artistic director.”

Fryml has two degrees in piano performance – a bachelor’s from Furman University and a master’s from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He most recently served as assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale and the Thornton Concert Choir at USC.

Fryml is passionate about music ministry and has served as a church music director.

“My wife and I are very pleased to be joining the thriving arts community of Amarillo, and we are looking forward to exploring and investing ourselves in the Texas music education scene we have heard so much about,” Fryml said.

“I feel particularly honored to step into a program with such a strong tradition of choral excellence as built by Dr. (Steven) Weber and his predecessors, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this tradition and support the growth of the School of Creative Arts at AC in whatever ways I am able."

The departure of two cherished members of the AC music faculty – longtime pianist Dr. Jim Rauscher is retiring, and vocalist Dr. Steven Weber, department chair since 2013, has accepted employment elsewhere – led to a necessary and significant reshaping of the Music Department.

July 19, 2016