Three Wayne State College students majoring in Music Industry have been awarded Lamond GenNext Awards to attend the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 22-25, 2025.
The students are sophomore Hannah Aldridge, Madison, South Dakota; senior Haley Johnson, Springfield; and senior Isaac Voboril, Pleasant Dale.
“This award honors college students who demonstrate excellence in the field of music industry with a $750 stipend toward travel and registration expenses to attend professional development sessions, networking, concerts, and other special events aimed toward college music industry students,” said Dr. Melissa Derechailo, instructor of music and theatre manager at Wayne State.
Lamond GenNext Award recipients have a proven dedication to pursuing a career in music, including in the areas of music performance, music education, media, sound engineering/audio, event technology, production, administration, management and/or marketing, along with product creation and innovation.
NAMM is the music, sound, and event industry's trade association show attended by thousands of individuals and businesses from around the world. NAMM holds annual shows in Nashville, Tenn., and Anaheim, Calif.
Wayne State junior Victor Carranza of Ainsworth will also attend the NAMM show. Carranza is majoring in Music Industry, and he is active in the Fortis Choir, Drama Club, Wayne State Jazz Band, theatre productions, Soccer Club, and the International Club at Wayne State.
At Wayne State, Aldridge is active in Wind Ensemble, Wildcat Marching Band, Cru (interdenominational Christian ministry), and KWSC-FM radio (91.9 The Cat), the college’s student-run radio station. She also serves as a theatre technician and a Music Major Guide, allowing high school students to shadow her for a day of classes.
Johnson is active with the Wayne State Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, String Ensemble, Mariachi Negro y Oro, and the Honors Program. She’s also involved with the Lutheran Campus Ministry, and she serves as an instructor for the Wayne State Music Academy.
Voboril also serves as a Music Major Guide at Wayne State, allowing high school students to shadow him for a day of classes. He’s active in the Wayne State Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Wayne State Jazz Band, and the Honors Program. He’s a former member of the club sport wrestling team.
