![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/adv\/alumni-news-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Foley_resize2-200x300.jpg\")
Chris Foley \u201994E (DMA)<\/p><\/div>\n
In the world of music education and performance, two alumni from the Eastman School of Music<\/a>, Chris Foley \u201994E (DMA)<\/a> and Tyler Ramos \u201922E (DMA)<\/a> not only excel as musicians, performers, and educators but also as mentorship partners.<\/p>\n Foley, a Canadian residing just outside of Toronto, is an eight-time mentor with The Meliora Collective Mentorship Program<\/a>, and Ramos, from Honolulu, Hawai\u2019i, has benefited from the program twice as a mentee. In October 2022, the two were matched through The Meliora Collective. The two then began their mentor-mentee relationship, one that included something unexpected: Foley performing the Canadian premiere of one of Ramos\u2019s original arrangements.<\/p>\n \u201cOur mentorship program provides enriching opportunities for all participants to learn, expand their networks, and gain new perspectives,\u201d says Michelle Cavalcanti, senior associate director of Career and Professional Affinity Programs at the University. \u201cRemarkable connections, like the one between Chris and Tyler, often form in the program. We invite everyone to discover more and sign up as either a mentor or mentee\u2014each of us has something to offer and much to gain by participating.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Following the official conclusion of the three-month mentorship program, Foley and Ramos remained in contact. It was during one of their conversations that Ramos shared a new composition: an arrangement of \u201cAloha Oe”<\/a>. This piece, a fusion of Queen Lili\u02bbuokalani\u2019s 1878 Hawaiian folk song and the classical style of Franz Liszt, deeply impressed Foley\u2014he knew he had to play the piece. A few months later, Foley brought this composition to life during a performance at an Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association recital.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying my mentee’s work at a concert was never in the mentorship handbook, but it was a lot of fun, and the audience loved it,\u201d says Foley. He adds that both he and Ramos hope to collaborate again in the future.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Participating in this mentorship program has allowed Foley to give back to the community that has given him so much. He stresses the value of Eastman\u2019s expansive global alumni network, saying, \u201cAfter completing my doctorate, some of my initial opportunities came through fellow Eastman graduates\u2014they literally helped me get my career started.\u201d<\/p>\n Foley emphasizes that true mentorship goes beyond developing task lists, reviewing professional documents, and providing job-hunting tips. \u201cUnderstanding a person’s aspirations, cultural background, and educational experience is essential,\u201d he says. \u201cFrom that foundation, we can engage in genuine, meaningful conversations that can facilitate personal and professional growth.\u201d<\/p>\n Tyler Ramos \u201922E (DMA)<\/p><\/div>\n In addition to being a mentor, Foley has also benefited from being a mentee. Jean Barr<\/a>\u2014professor emerita of piano accompanying and chamber music at Eastman and one of Foley\u2019s early teachers\u2014was a particularly influential one. Decades after meeting her, Barr still offers guidance to Foley, which, he notes, is important for those mid-career like him.<\/p>\n \u201cJean is the greatest mentor I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d he says. \u201cShe gave me advice that I pass on to mentees today: make long-term connections and find people you absolutely trust. They will help you throughout your career and guide you when you go through challenging professional experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n For Ramos, his first time as a mentee with the program connected him with Eastman alumnus Steve Vacchi \u201990E<\/a>, a bassoonist and faculty member at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. Vacchi, helped Ramos realize that his professional path could encompass more than \u201cjust\u201d being one type of musician. \u201cThe program, through both Steve and Chris, has broadened my perspective,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ve learned that my career doesn’t have to be narrowly defined\u2014that it can be as diverse and encompassing as the range of instruments I play.\u201d<\/p>\n Like Foley, Ramos appreciates being part of Eastman\u2019s strong alumni community and has found value in being both a mentee and informally mentoring others. For instance, he has provided advice to undergraduate students, encouraging them to build strong friendships and find supportive allies in the competitive music world. \u201cGiving back and supporting others doesn\u2019t ever diminish one\u2019s own success,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt brings out the best in everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Cavalcanti underscores the mutual benefits of mentorship. \u201cOur mentees get to connect with alumni whose career paths aren’t strictly linear, helping them envision career opportunities they may never have considered,\u201d she says. \u201cOur mentors benefit, too\u2014refining their leadership and communication skills, forging new connections, and helping people reach their career goals.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#e9e5d7″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Foley, an accomplished Canadian pianist and teacher, serves on the faculty at The Royal Conservatory<\/a> in Toronto. Additionally, he is a senior examiner, critically evaluating conservatory performances across North America. Alongside his wife, Wendy Hatala Foley, he operates Foley Music and Arts<\/a>, a small music school catering to students of all ages. He earned his doctorate in piano accompanying and chamber music from Eastman. During his time there, he studied under many esteemed faculty members, including David Burge ’56E (DMA) and Barr. In addition to being Foley’s teacher and mentor, Barr was also the founder of Eastman’s renowned accompanying program, in which Foley participated\u2014a program recognized as one of the best in the world.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Ramos teaches applied piano, group piano, and music theory at The University of Hawai\u2018i at M\u0101noa<\/a> and to K-12 students and community members at The Punahou School (Barack Obama\u2019s alma mater). He is also treasurer-elect and director of the Hawai\u2019i Music Teachers Association, performs as a collaborative pianist and an organist, and maintains a small private studio of cello students. In 2022, as a student of Natalya Antonova, Ramos earned his doctorate in piano performance and literature at Eastman with a minor in music theory and an Arts Leadership Certificate<\/a>, following in the footsteps of his early teachers and mentors, all of whom were Eastman graduates, including Thomas Yee \u201902E (DMA) and John Milbauer \u201992E.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#00205b” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n This distinctive partnership program<\/a> brings together enthusiastic undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff, and parents to help prepare mentees for their professional future. By providing real-world context, personal insights, and ongoing support, mentors help mentees achieve their short and long-term personal and career goals. Since the program launched in 2020, it has successfully paired more than 3,000 mentors and mentees.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#ffc70a” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Join and explore The Meliora Collective<\/a> and learn more about The Meliora Collective Mentorship Program<\/a>. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1695148053486{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;border-top-color: #999999 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n \u2014 Kristine Kappel Thompson, September 2023<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the world of music education and performance, two alumni from the Eastman School of Music, Chris Foley \u201994E (DMA) and Tyler Ramos \u201922E (DMA) not only excel as musicians, performers, and educators but also as mentorship partners. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":74732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,142],"tags":[272,1092,32,102,922,712],"class_list":["post-74432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-profiles","category-stories","tag-alumni","tag-eastman","tag-global","tag-music","tag-stories","tag-the-meliora-collective"],"yoast_head":"\nThe backstory<\/h3>\n
The Eastman difference<\/h3>\n
![\"Tyler](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/adv\/alumni-news-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1-200x300.jpg\")
Chris Foley: A pianist, educator, mentor<\/h3>\n
Tyler Ramos: A versatile musician and mentee<\/h3>\n
The Meliora Collective Mentorship Program<\/h3>\n
Get involved<\/h3>\n