The ISM welcomes twenty-eight new students

Many students have already completed advanced degrees (including master’s degrees in fine arts, arts administration, divinity, music, and comparative culture); some are actively pursuing ordination in various denominations; and others are accomplished musicians, vocalists, and organists with extensive performance experience. Several have backgrounds in literature, art, and the humanities, with expertise in a broad range of subjects from poetry, museum curation, and cinema, to the history of medicine and urban planning. Community engagement and service is also a recurring theme, including volunteer work in an orphanage, teaching in an inner-city school, and chaplaincy at a trauma center. The unique backgrounds and profound dedication of all these students will undoubtedly enrich our ISM community. Congratulations and a very warm welcome to all!

Read more about each student below or on the student bio website.

Student Bios

Hansel Augustan M.A.R. ‘28

Hansel Augustan joins the ISM after serving as the director of liturgy and music ministry in a church in Jakarta, Indonesia. He holds a theology degree in church music from Southeast Asia Bible Seminary. Informed by living in a post-colonial country, Hansel explores how liturgy, art, embodiment, and social justice are interconnected, particularly within the context of historically marginalized Chinese-Indonesian communities. He discusses this topic in various academic forums, including the Christian Congregational Music Conference and the Societas Liturgica Congress. He received the 2022 Asosiasi Teolog Indonesia Award for his co-authored article on liturgy and cyberspace. With his colleagues, Hansel co-hosted a YouTube channel named Belajar Teologi that makes theological discourses accessible to a broader audience. Outside the classroom, he enjoys making music and exploring cultural sites.

David Bone M.M. ‘28

David Norman Bone is a tenor from West Des Moines, Iowa, and a member of the Yale Voxtet. He previously lived in Dallas, Texas, singing professionally with the Dallas Bach Society, Verdigris Ensemble, and the Compline Choir at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, where he also served as staff singer. Outside of music, David has five years of professional experience as a software engineer at Goldman Sachs and John Deere. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both music and software engineering from Iowa State University.

Elizabeth Bouteneff M.A.R ‘28

Elizabeth Bouteneff is from Yonkers, New York. She earned a B.A. in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Area Studies with a minor in Urban Studies from Smith College, with coursework taking her to St. Petersburg and Denmark. Following graduation, she spent four and a half years in South Korea teaching English and studying Korean. At the ISM, she examines how art and material forms shape religious encounters through image, object, and space, focusing particularly on Eastern Orthodox traditions. Outside academics, Elizabeth enjoys hiking, crochet, and exploring new places.

Matthew Brown M.M. ‘28

Matthew Thomas Brown is a composer, conductor, pianist, and organist from Vienna, VA. He completed his Bachelor of Music in composition at the Oberlin Conservatory. At Yale he is pursuing his Master of Music in choral conducting. Matthew is particularly interested in contemporary vocal music. At Oberlin, he founded the Now Chorale, a new music choir which has premiered more than thirty student works in just three years. He conducted Oberlin’s 2025 production of Kamala Sankaram’s The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace and led the premiere of his own chamber opera,This Cold But Golden Morning. In 2026, he assisted The Crossing choir in Philadelphia as summer associate. Outside of campus, Matthew serves as organist and music director at Mount Carmel Congregational Church in Hamden, CT.

Lena Browne M.Div. ‘29

Lena Browne is an Afro-Caribbean artist, educator, community organizer, and budding theologian from Boston, Massachusetts. After earning a B.A. in classics and linguistics from Dartmouth College, she worked across arts organizations, completed an M.S. in arts administration, and launched community art projects. Her deepening faith led her to the M.Div. program, where she integrates biblical studies, ancient history, art, and community into a multidisciplinary ministry. Outside academics, Lena loves animals, dancing, the ocean, and romanticizing daily life.

Cameron Davies M.M. ‘28

Cameron Davies is studying choral conducting and serves as assistant conductor of the Battell Chapel Choir. Originally from Australia and raised in London, England, he completed his undergraduate music degree at Durham University. At Durham, Cameron was a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral and director of music at St Chad’s College. He has worked with national organizations including the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and Crouch End Festival Chorus alongside leading U.K. conductors. Beyond his studies, he enjoys playing violin, swimming, and hiking.

Isa DeGuzman M.Div. ‘29

Isa DeGuzman is from Durham, North Carolina, where she was born and raised, and where she spent two recent seasons working on an organic vegetable farm. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College, where she developed a deep passion for literary arts and religious exploration. At the ISM, she continues to explore the intersections of literature, spiritual life, and creative expression. Her creative pursuits include cooking, fermentation, linocut and letterpress printmaking, and poetry.

Zoe Field M.A.R. ‘28

Zoé Field is originally from Hudson, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Geneva in Switzerland to study international relations before transferring to Wheaton College (IL) and graduating with a B.A. in both international relations and English literature. Following graduation, Zoé worked in Minneapolis for the Consortium of Christian Study Centers doing event planning and student engagement. She is interested in how literature and storytelling shapes our relationship both to God and to others. 

Anna Forsman M.A.R. ‘28

Anna Forsman is a vocalist, pianist, writer, spiritual abolitionist, and community organizer guided by a vision for a peaceful and just world. Informed by interfaith practices and collective singing, Anna works to enliven communities through music, arts, and spiritual grounding. She studied human ecology and gender studies at Rutgers University and appreciates diverse spiritual paths, including liberation theology, Theravada Buddhism, and raja yoga. Pursuing an M.A.R. in religion and the arts, Anna remains deeply grateful to her home community in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Trevor Good M.M. ‘28

Trevor Good is an organist and church musician from Springfield, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Kansas, studying organ under James Higdon and taking masterclasses with Olivier Latry, Michel Bouvard, and Thomas Ospital. Trevor served as director of Schola Cantorum at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center and organist at Church of the Resurrection-Brookside in Kansas City, Missouri. A first-prizewinner in the 2023 Quimby/RCYO Competition, he studied under Grigory Frederick Guzasky and Dale Rogers.

Lily Greenberg M.Div. ‘29

Lily Greenberg is a poet, educator, and organizer from Nashville, Tennessee, and author of In the Shape of a Woman (2022). Her writing, which explores spiritual connections to one another and the earth, has appeared in Pushcart Prize LXIX, New England Review, and Image. She holds an M.F.A. from the University of New Hampshire and is a postulant for holy orders in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Lily serves as board president of the Arts Council of Rockland and organizes programs with All Ways Writing Collective.

Nicolas Kilhoffer M.M. ‘28

Nicolas Kilhoffer is a French organist and improviser who studied at the conservatories of Strasbourg and Paris. He has performed across Europe, North America, and Africa, keeping improvisation central to his work. Alongside music, he studied finance at Audencia Business School in France and currently serves as the Wilson Family Sacred Music Intern at Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. Nicolas has a strong professional interest in cultural philanthropy, institutional development, and the long-term sustainability of arts organizations.

Gavin Klein M.M. ‘28

Gavin Klein recently graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a dual bachelor’s degree in music and economics, studying organ with Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez. Gavin’s career in church music began when he was very young as a chorister at All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester, MA—somewhere which he credits for his love of sacred music and organ. He has performed in the United States, South America, and Europe on both organ and harpsichord, and for a time was artist-in-residence at the Harvard Historical Society. He previously held positions as organ scholar at Holy Cross, as well as organist at St. Bernard Parish in Worcester, MA. When not at the organ console, Gavin loves the outdoors, notably fishing, sailing, and hiking. 

Emily Krasinski M.M. ‘28

Soprano Emily Krasinski hails from the Genesee Valley in Western New York. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music with degrees in music and business, she is an active performer who founded her own chamber concert series in 2023. Emily pursued language-intensive study programs abroad and was a finalist in the Jessie Kneisel German Lieder Competition while winning second prize in the Friends of Eastman Opera Competition. In her free time, she enjoys reading, ballet, and trail running.

SARAH KU M.M. ‘31

Sarah Ku began her organ studies at Clifton College in England as a music scholar and continued at Groton School in Massachusetts. She served as organ scholar at Christ Church in Fitchburg for two years and won the 2026 Young Arts National Award in Classical Music (Organ) and the M. Louise Miller–Paul E. Knox Scholarship. Enrolled in the combined B.A./M.M. program, Sarah is pursuing a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry alongside her organ studies, bridging scientific discovery and musical performance.

Anna Maria LIM D.M.A. ‘31

Anna Maria Lim is a Singaporean organist and pianist based in New Haven. Following the completion of her M.M. degree in organ and sacred music at Yale under Martin Jean, she was appointed staff accompanist at the ISM in 2025. She also serves as director of music and organist at Center Church on the Green in New Haven. Anna Maria earned her B.M. in organ performance and music theory from the Eastman School of Music. In her free time, she enjoys baking, cooking, and reading.

Rozime Lindsey M.M. ‘28

Rozime Lindsey, a native of Philadelphia, is a voice student specializing in historically informed performance and Baroque repertoire. He earned his Bachelor of Music in voice performance from Boston University. A former choral scholar with Trinity Church, Wall Street, Rozime has performed as a vocal fellow with The Thirteen, the ARTEK Ensemble, and the Charlotte Bach Festival. He aspires to a career in early and sacred music, and in his free time enjoys hiking in national parks and exploring local coffee shops.

Zach Mandell S.T.M. ‘27

Zach Mandell grew up in rural central Pennsylvania and earned degrees in classics from Penn State (B.A.) and SUNY Buffalo (M.A.). His passion for Eastern Orthodox liturgical music led him to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he completed his M.Div. Zach conducted the choir at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Minneapolis for four years before teaching at St. Vladimir’s. A dedicated Tolkien enthusiast and avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he is excited to continue his studies in New Haven.

Jessica Margono M.A.R. ‘28

Jessica Emily Margono, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, explores the intersections of ethnomusicology, worship arts, and theology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in church music from Southeast Asia Bible Seminary and previously served as worship pastor and choir conductor at a Chinese-Indonesian community church. Her research on Chinese-Indonesian musical identity was presented at the Christian Congregational Music Conference in Oxford and published in the anthology Quo Vadis: Chinese Christians in Indonesia. She is also dedicated to rural music education in Indonesia.

John Morrow M.M.A. ‘28

John Morrow is studying choral conducting and serves as assistant conductor of the Yale Camerata. Originally from Oklahoma, he previously taught at Sacred Heart University and serves as director and organist at First Congregational Church of Darien. John is an active clinician and conductor whose work spans classical choral masterpieces, opera, and contemporary premieres. He studied conducting and organ at Indiana University and the University of Oklahoma, and his research interests focus on organizational psychology in rehearsal settings.

Daniel Oglesby M.A.R. ‘28

Originally from Indianapolis, Daniel began his journey at the Ailey School in New York City. He holds an undergraduate degree in liberal arts with a concentration on international relations, cum laude, from Harvard, where he also worked as a research faculty aide. He holds a Master’s in Urban Education from the University of Pennsylvania. His professional and academic work and dedication as a volunteer coach for children and families impacted by chronic illness, Daniel’s interest has centered on the intersection of creativity, human rights, education, health and well-being as a path toward justice and belonging. At Yale he is eager to apply his academic background and passion for global development and peace-building in deepening his understanding of how storytelling and theology can serve as a catalyst for social change in global urban communities.

Chase Olson M.M. ‘28

Chase Olson holds degrees in organ performance and financial economics from Oberlin College and Conservatory. He has performed at the Artown Festival in Reno, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, and the Jeux d’Orgues Festival in France, as well as with the Oberlin Orchestra. Chase serves on the board of the San Francisco Peninsula Organ Academy and as an adjudicator for the Junior Bach Festival. His studies encompass piano, art song, harpsichord, and conducting.

Philip Reed D.M.A. ‘31

Philip Reed is a D.M.A. candidate in choral conducting from Greenville, South Carolina, where he leads his professional ensemble, Chicora Voices. He holds degrees from Furman University, the University of Georgia, and International Christian University in Tokyo. Named a finalist for the American Prize Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting, Philip’s academic focus includes medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque sacred music alongside Japanese court music. In his leisure time, he enjoys contra dancing, hiking, and history podcasts.

Eden Reitnour M.A.R. ‘28

Eden Reitnour is originally from High Point, North Carolina. She graduated with a B.A. in studio art from Pepperdine University, where she interned at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art and assisted with grant research for exhibition series on religious expression in contemporary art. Eden also served as a marketing assistant at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts. Her academic interests focus on medieval interfaith connections and contemporary museum spaces.

Abigail Sherman M.M. ‘28

Abigail Sherman is a cross-genre mezzo-soprano and teaching artist from Red Oak, Iowa. She holds degrees from the Peabody Conservatory (M.M.) and Muhlenberg College (B.A.) and performs as a member of the Yale Voxtet. Passionate about equitable music education, Abby completed a service year as an early childhood music educator through Artist Year (AmeriCorps) and recently worked on the box office staff for the Marlboro Music Festival’s 75th anniversary.

Pearl Silverman M.A.R. ‘28

Pearl Silverman is a poet and student from western Massachusetts. Before graduating from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she studied philosophies of history at Smith College and spent a year archiving Radio Free Europe materials in Budapest. At Yale, she wants to explore how poetics carry out mystery, beauty, and spiritual reality. Her poetry is forthcoming in the Bennington Review.

Molly Tompkins M.A.R. ‘28

Molly Tompkins recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied English and dabbled in creative writing and political philosophy. Although she eschewed writing about Christianity (it’s often corny), Christian stories and questions bubbled up in her creative and academic writing. So she decided to make the union official by studying religion and literature at Yale Divinity School. Although she enjoys almost all good stories, she’s particularly interested in twentieth-century Southern literature. When not reading and writing for class, she enjoys reading and writing short fiction for fun, as well as casually running, drinking tea, and hosting friends.

Kingsley Wood M.M. ‘28

Hailing from Leonia, New Jersey, Kingsley Price Wood holds two bachelor’s degrees from Oberlin College, where he studied organ with Christa Rakich, as well as mathematics. With particular interest in early music and historical performance, Kingsley has spent time in France, Germany, and the Netherlands studying on celebrated historical instruments. At Oberlin, he received the Selby Harlan Houston Prize in organ, and as a member of the Schola Cantorum and a frequent continuo accompanist, his musical engagements extend beyond the organ. Currently the organ scholar at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City, he has previously served as organist at the First United Methodist Church of Elyria, Ohio.