Share Your Stories
Thanks to those of you who sent an alumni news update to us after seeing the new digital CFA Magazine. Although we know that many of you send your news directly to the academic program from which you graduated, we would love for you to fill out our alumni contact form so we can help to let your classmates know what you’ve been doing.
Here are the stories that came through last time!
2026 Spring
School of Music alumna Claudia Curley Benack is now a full-time faculty member in the School of Drama. She joined the school in 1997, teaching musical theatre singing and teaching various other classes, including Music Theory, Singing for Actors, and Musical Theatre Lit and Rep. Benack graduated in 1980 and 1983.
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In October and November 2023, School of Drama alum Miggs Burroughs had an exhibit of 30 lenticular photos in the lobby of the United Nations building in New York City. He was the first artist not endorsed by a member nation to have ever been given such an exhibit. Burroughs graduated in 1967.
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Maxine Unterberg Cohn graduated with a BFA in art education and has been selling and exhibiting her work in Florida and Los Angeles. In addition, she has been teaching adult art workshops in the Palm Beach area. Cohn graduated in 1969.
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Alumnus Eric Heiman is now running a successful hybrid design/architecture firm, Volume Inc. He reports that his firm recently designed the hit exhibition at the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco titled, “Past as Prologue: The Last Decade of Furniture Design by Ray and Charles Eames (1968–78).”
They are currently wrapping up the design of the Harvey Milk Memorial (also in San Francisco); all projects are posted on the firm’s website.
Heiman also is still teaching design at the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCA) in San Francisco, running TBD* at CCA, a student-staffed design studio that helps local nonprofits. Studio students were currently a part of a faculty exhibition.
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Jimmy Liu (formerly Junyi Liu) says he’s a proud Carnegie Mellon alumnus who earned his bachelor’s (2009) and master’s (2011) degrees in piano performance from the School of Music, studying with Sergey Schepkin. In December 2025, he organized and performed in “Piano Lumière,” Pittsburgh’s first-ever two-piano candlelight concert, held at Chatham University Chapel. The performance featured over 2,000 LED candles, which created a breathtaking atmosphere merging music and light.
Eric Barndollar, a fellow CMU Class of 2009 composition graduate, composed a world premiere arrangement combining “Carol of the Bells” and “Interstellar” for the concert, which proved to be a special highlight of the evening.
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School of Art alumna Betty Winkler (BFA 1976) let us know that fellow art alumna Joann Maier (BFA 1958) died suddenly in April 2025. Maier also earned a master of fine arts in 1960 from Cranbrook Academy in Michigan. She taught at CMU for more than three decades, earning tenure in 1969, the first female Department of Art faculty member to do so. She was promoted to professor in 1989. During Maier’s career, she trained several generations of artists, some of whom followed her into teaching as well as artistic practice.
After earning her master’s, Maier then worked as an instructor in the Department of Art at Wisconsin State College-Superior and studied intaglio printing at S.W. Hayter's Atelier 17 in Paris (1962-1963). A prize-winning abstract expressionist painter, printmaker and sculptor in metal, Maier exhibited her work regularly, including in at least four one-woman shows.
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School of Design alumnus Jimmy Margulies has spent his entire career as an editorial cartoonist. He first worked for Journal Newspapers in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, then moved to The Houston Post, Bergen Record and Newsday/amNEW YORK. He has been syndicated by King Features for 35 years and continues drawing five cartoons a week.
Margulies’ work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and more. He’s also been featured on ABC Nightline, CNN and PBS. Margulies graduated in 1973.
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After 35 years acting, Arthur Rosenberg is now a rabbi at University Village in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He serves as the Leonard Nimoy Palliative Care Chaplain there. He has been at the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Los Angeles for 22 years on an award-winning team that received an Oscar for serving the industry. Rosenberg is an alumnus from the School of Drama, 1968.
2025 Fall
Still working as an artist, Hilda Demsky moved to a retirement facility and creates within a big, shared studio. She continues to paint in oil, focusing on abstract meaningful paintings about nature, often while listening to classical music. Demsky spent two years of the pandemic painting her interpretation of poems by U.S. Poets Laureate. She has been exhibiting the 36 paintings around Westchester County in universities and libraries. The overall collection is called “The Gratitude Project." Demsky is an alumna from the School of Art, BFA 1958.
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After finishing an MFA at the School of Art and spending two years at the Robotics Institute, Daniel Pillis transitioned to the MIT Media Lab, where he continued working with robotics and tangible media. Now, as an assistant professor of virtual production at Emerson College in the heart of Boston, he is working with large-scale physical/virtual environments and robotic actors to create experiences and experiments with artificial intelligence. An article from the Berkeley Beacon highlights Pillis’ work with a robot named Jibo, which Pillis calls his “teaching assistant.” Pillis is an alumnus from the School of Art, MFA 2016.
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Jorge Vera, a native of Pirayú, a tiny farming community in Paraguay, began his violin studies at age 9. In his community, 40 students shared the nine instruments their village could afford. He was not deterred and dedicated himself to his music studies. This summer, Vera began to change the lives of young musicians, as he stepped into a full-time position with the Allentown Symphony Association, where he will play in the orchestra and teach members of its youth orchestra. Vera is an alumnus from the School of Music, MFA 2024, Certificate (Advanced Studies) 2025. Read more about Vera's story.
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Sherri WOLFGANG is a painter specializing in life-size figurative work, which draws on Renaissance painting traditions in combination with Old Master painting techniques. WOLFGANG is represented by George Billis Gallery and Dacia Gallery, both in New York City, as well as M.A. Doran Gallery in Tulsa, Okla. Her work, pictured above, is on display in the Cohon University Center, as well. WOLFGANG is an alumna from the School of Art, BFA 1983.
2025 Spring
Colin Brice is a 1994 graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture. He is co-founder of Mapos, a design and architecture firm. Brice said that the firm focuses on “concepting and designing environments where people want to be. Whether it's a single-family residence or a mixed-use cultural development, all our projects start with understanding the needs of the people who will be living, working, learning, sleeping, eating and shopping in the finished project.”
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Steve Chabassol, who goes by Steve Chab when performing, graduated from the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs in 2020 with a BHA in creative writing and music technology, with a minor in sound design. Steve Chab Band released an album in December 2024. In describing his work, Chab said “it’s an art+poetry chapbook, and (the band) perform songs from the book at concerts.”
The group released a music video, which blends performance with AI.
Outside of music/art, Chab works as a software engineer for Dell. He and his wife and four children live in Greenfield, Pa., near CMU’s campus. Chab hosts concerts at his home several times a year and they also host a weekly Shabbat gathering for friends and neighbors. Fans may find shirts and books on Bandcamp. In 2018, Hunt Library featured "Dot Rocks 4" as the main piece in Art of the Remix expo. In 2017, The Oakland Review featured one of Chab’s pieces on the cover of Volume XLII [PDF].
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Danielle Dulchinos, a 2024 alumna of the MFA Costume Production program in the School of Drama, received the 2024 Patterns of Fashion Award from The Costume Society of the UK at The Fashion and Textile Museum of London. She was the first finalist from the United States and the first U.S. winner of this prestigious award.
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Some see bridges as a way to get from one point to another. CMU School of Architecture alumnus Frederick Gottemoeller sees bridges as works of art. He should know; he has made designing bridges his life’s work.
“It is gratifying to see the College of Fine Arts taking pride in the work of all its alumni. Being a ’63 and ’65 graduate of CFA’s School of Architecture, I thought you would be interested in a development in the bridge world: the increasing focus on bridges as works of art.”
Gottemoeller said that bridges as art is the continuation of a trend that extends back centuries. It even affected the career of Henry Hornbostel, who designed much of CMU’s campus. Gottemoeller referenced the mural above the main entrance of CFA that depicts New York’s Hell Gate Bridge. Hornbostel was architectural adviser to Gustave Lilienthall, the engineer of that major structure and all of the viaducts attached to it.
With the additional benefit of a civil engineering degree from the College of Engineering, Gottemoeller had a 60-year career in this field; in the last 35 years, he provided architectural guidance for more than 30 bridges. In his retirement, he said he has decided to “try to foster and extend the focus on bridges as works of art” and illustrates that focus through Bridge Art.
“The site is aimed at publicizing the notion of bridges as works of art, as well as encouraging higher levels of design by practitioners and providing support to community advocates seeking to secure works of bridge art for their communities. The site includes a few of my own bridges, but also bridges by many others,” he said.
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Now retired and living in England, where he’s resided since 1965, Daniel Quall King taught sculpture, industrial design and drawing for 26 years, including an innovative joint course in mechanical engineering and industrial design in the 1970s. King was born in 1938 and grew up in Arkansas.
He said his artistic sensibility “was formed early in life by an appreciation of two complementary worlds, the Ouachita forests and the unfolding possibilities of the architecture of the mid-20th century.” He trained as a sculptor and industrial designer at what was then called Carnegie Institute of Technology from 1955 to 1959 (BFA Hons) and 1961-1962 (MFA), and received the Porter Prize for Sculpture and, later, a Heinz Graduate Scholarship.
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Michael Armentrout Roosevelt graduated from the Carnegie Mellon School of Art in 1970. His career path was unique; he worked for the Caledonia County, Vt., State’s Attorney’s Office as a sexual violence and domestic violence investigator and, at the same time, taught visual arts.
He retired from his role at the State’s Attorney’s Office but continued his work as an adjunct professor in the Visual Arts Department, Vermont State University-Lyndon, teaching drawing, life drawing and sculpture. Roosevelt continues to make prints and exhibit his work.
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Ed Szylinski graduated from the CMU School of Design in 1968. After a lengthy career in package and brand design, Szylinski retired in 2019.
He did not forget his time at Carnegie Mellon and within the College of Fine Arts. Several years ago, he established the Szylinski Blue Sky Thinking Award, which annually gives $2,750 to a communications design third-year student in the School of Design.
“It is my way of staying connected to CMU,” Szylinski said. “I treasure my experiences at CMU. I'm so grateful I was accepted and so happy I chose to attend.”
These days, Szylinski said he stays busy helping family and friends and investing in the stock market. And, as if that weren’t enough to keep him busy, Szylinski said he began to study acting a few years ago — almost as a second career.
2024 Fall
School of Music alumna Jennifer Bouton (2017) released an album of Vivaldi Piccolo Concertos May 10 on PARMA/Navona Records. This landmark recording is the first complete recording of the concerti by an American piccoloist and the first in the Western Hemisphere. In collaboration with Jory Vinikour (harpsichord) and musicians of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bouton presents the concertos in a conductorless chamber music setting. Live video of the concertos also is available on YouTube.
In recording the complete set of works for sopranino/flautino on the modern piccolo, Bouton aims to expand the standard canon of solo piccolo repertoire and encourage modern performers to investigate the possibilities of ornamentation that live in each of these sparkling compositions. Expressive, lighthearted, technically elaborate, and strikingly beautiful, this collection of works is a stunning showcase of Vivaldi’s colorful concerti, concluding with an exhilarating performance of Paganini’s Caprice No. 11 in C Major to round out the program.
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In February, Christopher Pearlberg became the inaugural director of athletic bands at The Catholic University of America. According to the CUA website, the university’s Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics, Kevin Robinson, announced the creation of a pep band dedicated to Catholic University and its athletic programs in October.
"This is an exciting addition to our Catholic University Athletics family," said Robinson. "Chris' passion for music will help us drive the energy and enthusiasm that our pep band will bring as we create the soundtrack for Catholic Athletics."
Pearlberg joins Catholic after spending more than a year as the athletic bands director at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Pearlberg was tasked with the similar role of developing and directing a new college pep band upon his arrival at St. Mary's.
"I am thrilled to join the staff at The Catholic University of America and develop the brand-new pep band," Pearlberg said. "It is an honor to serve in this role; we have exciting plans for creating a thrilling atmosphere both on campus and at athletic events."
Pearlberg holds a bachelor of music/performance degree from Temple University (2012), a master of music/performance degree from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music (2014), and a doctorate of music, literature and performance degree from Indiana University (2020).
His extensive teaching background includes time spent at St. Mary's Ryken in Leonardtown, Md., and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. Pearlberg also has teaching experience at the Luzerne Music Center in Luzerne, N.Y., the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Campbellsville University, and Timberlane Regional School District in Plaistow, N.H.
2024 Spring
School of Architecture alumnus Gary Li (2017) was promoted to principal from associate architect at Kostow Greenwood Architects (KGA) in September 2023. Li was one of two new principals named, and the move establishes equity ownership for both across the leadership team as they expand their practice, building on core proficiencies and successes.
Li joined Founding Principal Michael Kostow and colleague Lena Dau-Ping Fan, the latter of whom also was named principal for the promotion announcement.
“Lena and Gary step into their new roles prepared to continue the evolution and growth of our firm,” Kostow said. “They have proven themselves as architects and as leaders and, together, we’re shaping and creating a business to meet our clients’ evolving aspirations and to expand on our successes.”
Fan and Li each have considerable tenure with the firm and have expanded their responsibilities with proven successes. Li is a member of AIA and is a LEED Green Associate, NCARB. He joined KGA in 2017. He is a juror for the international WAN Awards and a volunteer on NCARB’s Examination Committee. His recent speaking engagements include being invited to present the James Earl Jones Theatre Annex project at the League of Historic American Theatres National Conference in Kansas City. Li resides in Brooklyn.
Image: (from left to right) Michael Kostow, Lena Dau-Ping Fan, Gary Li. The principals, equity partners and leadership team at KGA. Photo credit: Jeremiah Hadi Go.
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School of Art alumna Shana Moulton (2004) will present a site-specific installation at the Museum of Modern Art from February 17 through April 21. The installation, titled "Meta/Physical Therapy," employs the artist’s signature blend of spiritual imagery, medical technology, popular culture and references to high art and dollar-store kitsch.
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BXA alumnus Stefan Romero (2019) is the artistic director of “America's Tapestry,” an exhibition celebrating America's 250th Anniversary in 2026. Composed of 13 embroidered panels, this modern interpretation of the Bayeux Tapestry visually narrates stories from America’s 13 colonies.
Each panel depicts a figure from a historically underrepresented group in each colony who displayed an act of courage or ingenuity during the creation of our country, according to Romero.
“The panels will be designed by me in collaboration with historical organizations representing each of the original 13 colonies,” he said. “The execution of the embroidery will be completed by needleworkers within each state from 2025 to 2026. An appropriate gallery space will be designated to house the completed tapestry in 2026.”
Image: representative of what the mural may entail; it was used to help secure funding for the exhibition.
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School of Art alumna EvaLu (Damianos) Spears (1957) exhibited her watercolors in the PWS Aqueous Open 2023 International, an online exhibition that appeared Oct. 7-Nov. 30, 2023.
Image: Spears shared a watercolor that was part of the exhibition, titled “Sky Prism."
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School of Architecture alumnus Donald Tellalian (1959) retired after many years of practice in the Northeast.
“Many of my projects were with Tellalian Associates Architects & Planners, LLC, Boston,” he said. “I do continue to be involved with Parcel 13 on the Rose Kennedy Greenway that runs through downtown Boston. Until very recently, I served for 15 years on the Newton Historical Commission.”
Tellalian and his wife, Barbara, share time with their two children and eight grandchildren, who all live near the couple. He noted that “we are both healthy and hope the country and the world manages to settle down in peace and community.”
2023 Fall
Deborah Jaffe (BFA 1997, Painting/Drawing) has traveled the world as a photographer and creative director, shooting portraits, lifestyle, travel, interiors, celebrity, reportage, still life and food.
Over a career of more than 30 years, Jaffe has photographed covers of magazines including "Real Simple," "Domino" and "ELLE Decoration UK; her editorial clients include "The New York Times," "The New Yorker," "INSTYLE," "Glamour" and "The Washington Post;" she has shot ad campaigns for Slavatore Ferragamo and catalogues for "Pottery Barn;" she has photographed portraits of Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, Joan Rivers, Jerry Falwell, Jack Kornfield and others. Jaffe has been a Getty photographer since their inception.
Jaffe is currently working on her memoir and documentary, which is being produced by Warner Media and That's Wonderful. The memoir covers the story of her father, Sam Jaffe, an ABC News Moscow and Hong Kong bureau chief who was accused of being a spy, double agent and sleeper agent for the KGB by the FBI and CIA.
"During my childhood my father was blacklisted, and my parents sued the FBI and CIA to get the information on why they thought he was a spy under the FOIA," said Jaffe. "We were represented by the ACLU. The case took nine years, but most of the information in the documents was redacted under national security and remains so to this day. I am trying to find out what happened, and how that affected my life growing up."
Jaffe is grateful for her years at CMU, and still keeps in touch with her classmates who she says are all living interesting lives.
2023 Spring
John Casey (BFA, Design/Journalism 1985), published a new novel titled, “Freaksburg.” Much of it is set in Pittsburgh, he said.
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Sankalp Bhatnagar (BSA, Mathematical Sciences/Design 2013; MA, Design 2015) has focused his career on studying how designers operate in different contexts. His work has involved working across disciplinary boundaries, including at a design research laboratory, an R&D unit at a humanitarian organization, and an AI think tank across multiple academic institutions.
Bhatnagar joined the Harvard Library Innovation Lab as a research fellow during the past academic year to carry out a new and collaborative project in partnership with NuLawLab, where he is a senior researcher and, previously, a research resident. The partnership supporting his research is the first of its kind between the two law school innovation labs. “I saw a common task between the work I proposed to do and its alignment with the expertise of each lab,” he said, “preserving legal knowledge and advancing legal design.”
Bhatnagar gained his first exposure to the practice of legal design in a seminar on law, justice and design at Harvard Law School, after which he taught and led efforts to advance the field and its directions at Northeastern University School of Law. He is now designing a workbook of exercises for law students tasked with crafting and choosing between legal alternatives that he calls a casebook for legal imagination.
“I aim to build an example of a new kind of teaching method, with the hope that it will be directly useful throughout the world of legal education,” he said, “as well as more generally useful for thinking about law as its own form of design, so that we look around and see lawyers and judges designing our lives by making arguments, not apps, crafting scenarios, not services, and justifying decisions, not products.”
Find out what alumni are doing across the School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Design, School of Drama, School of Music and BXA Intercollege Degree Programs.
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