The Butler University Jazz Ensemble has been named a 2025 DownBeat Student Music Award winner in the Undergraduate College Large Jazz Ensemble category, earning one of the highest honors in jazz education. This recognition from DownBeat magazine—the definitive voice in jazz since 1934—places Butler’s student musicians in elite company, joining the ranks of past winners who have gone on to become internationally celebrated artists.
The DownBeat Student Music Awards, established in 1976, are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards in jazz education. Each year, ensembles and individuals from around the world submit recordings for blind evaluation by a panel of world-renowned jazz musicians. Entries are judged on musicality, creativity, and technical excellence.
“This is a tremendous honor for our students and the entire School of Music,” said Dr. Matt Pivec, Director of Jazz Studies and leader of the award-winning ensemble. “They put in a remarkable amount of time and dedication this semester, and it’s incredibly gratifying to see their efforts recognized on a global stage. What’s truly exciting about this honor is that it’s the result of a team effort. My faculty and staff colleagues in the School of Music are some of the best professionals in the region and dedicated to our students’ success. Our leaders, David Murray and Lisa Brooks, are extremely supportive. When you combine administrative support and great instruction with an awesome group of students, anything is possible.”
This award is the latest recognition in a very successful recent period for the students in the Butler University Jazz Program. In the fall of 2020, the program won its first DownBeat Student Music Award, also in the Undergraduate College Large Jazz Ensemble category. In 2023 and 2024, the Butler University Jazz Ensemble performed at both the prestigious Midwest Clinic and Western International Band Clinic.
The ensemble’s success highlights the strength of Butler’s School of Music, which blends rigorous academics with real-world music experiences. The recognition not only celebrates artistic achievement but also enhances future opportunities for student musicians, many of whom pursue graduate programs, professional ensembles, or careers in music education and performance.
Below is the full roster of the fall 2024 Butler Jazz Ensemble:
Director: Dr. Matt Pivec
Graduate Assistant: Olander Porter
SAXOPHONES
- Mia Traverse (section leader), Senior, Music Education – Colgate, WI
- Silas Owens, Sophomore, Jazz Studies/English – Pittsburgh, PA
- Aaron Wilson, Junior, Jazz Studies – Ossian, IN
- Kenvae Tarver, First Year, Music Education – Indianapolis, IN
- Megan Dudenhoeffer, Senior, Performance/Music Education – Greenwood, IN
TRUMPETS
- Noelle Engle (section leader), Senior, Performance/Music Education – Indianapolis, IN
- Levi Denniston, First Year, Composition – Noblesville, IN
- David Strayhorn, Sophomore, Music Education – Indianapolis, IN
- Ashton Roman, Senior, Music Education – Indianapolis, IN
- Amy Yactayo, Sophomore, Jazz Studies – Indianapolis, IN
TROMBONES
- Joshua Reddick, Sophomore, Performance – Lapel, IN
- Joseph Smith, Junior, Music Education – Indianapolis, IN
- Matthew Campitelli, Sophomore, Arts Administration – Chicago, IL
- Andrew Dorton (Bass), Junior, Music Education – Indianapolis, IN
RHYTHM SECTION
- Elvin Deckard, Junior, Music Industry Studies – Bloomington, IN (Drums)
- Santino Caringella, Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering/Economics – Mount Prospect, IL (Drums)
- Owen Gohr, First Year, Performance – Libertyville, IL (Bass)
- Lucas Samberg, Junior, Jazz Studies – Indianapolis, IN (Bass)
- Preston Fox (section leader), Senior, Jazz Studies – Clayton, IN (Guitar)
- Devon Wiley, Junior, Musical Arts – Indianapolis, IN (Guitar)
- Eli Osborne, Sophomore, Computer Science – Indianapolis, IN (Piano)
- Michael Johnson, Junior, Performance – Terre Haute, IN (Piano)
Congratulations to all the members of the Butler Jazz Ensemble for this outstanding achievement and for continuing to elevate Butler’s reputation for musical excellence.