Ashley Hoyer, a graduate distance learning student in the composition program in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music, has been accepted into both the Atlantic Music Festival’s highly exclusive Summer Intensive program and also the Iceberg Institute in Vienna, Austria. Based in Santa Paula, California, Hoyer came to SFA already an accomplished professional performer on mandolin, violin and cello. After completing her bachelor’s degree online, she was searching for an online master’s composition program. “SFA is one of the few universities that offers a program like this one,” she said. “Once I learned more about SFA and had an interview, I knew it would be good fit.” During her summer studies, she said she looks forward to writing a new piece for a specific ensemble and learning from its performance, and she looks forward to taking lessons with acclaimed faculty members. She hopes to continue working as a performer and composer in the future. She currently studies with Dr. Stephen Lias, professor of composition at SFA.
