On Sunday, March 30, Mia Sanchez, a music education major from Panama City, Florida, was recognized as the first recipient of the Laura Aaron Mixon Memorial Choral Scholarship.
Mixon was a longtime music educator and former Troy University faculty member who passed away in April 2024. The scholarship was established by the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity, to help support budding choral music educators.
Sanchez received the scholarship during a performance from the Concert Chorale with Mixon’s family in attendance. Dr. Diane Orlofsky, Professor Emerita of music and music education and Coordinator of the music education graduate program, spoke during the presentation about the former student who became her friend.
“Laura was so many things to me—She was one of the most talented and intuitive students I have ever had the privilege to teach,” Dr. Orlofsky said. “She was a member of my choral ensembles and led the way as a gifted singer and pianist. Laura proved to be such a valuable part of the School of Music that we hired her to lead the Collegiate Singers and to teach other courses. Through these years, I valued her as a trusted colleague and a dear friend. She was a part of my home and our family life, and we often had long talks about music and leadership and finding that magical, often elusive work/life balance. Everyone who knew Laura loved her and grieved her loss. We prayed and remembered, but then we felt compelled to do MORE to honor her life and legacy by giving back to those very students she taught and nurtured.”
Dr. Scott Sexton, Assistant Professor of Music Education, says that Mixon was a huge influence on him at the beginning of his journey to becoming a choral music educator.
“She was always trying to better her craft so that she could be the best teacher of the highest quality for her students,” Dr. Sexton said. “I believe she was one of the people in the first part of my choral music career who imparted her love for learning and passion for the choral podium unto me. Even after Troy, we stayed in touch and would share choral music and teaching strategies.”
Dr. Sexton described Sanchez as a wonderful student and person with an impressive work ethic.
“She is an innate leader and contributes so much to our choral program and music department,” he said. “She is humble and modest, but very talented. Having known Laura personally, I cannot think of a better inaugural recipient. Mia is a student who will carry on Laura’s legacy of outstanding character and choral excellence.”
“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Sanchez said. “I did not know Laura, but hearing of the legacy she left has inspired me this past month. The Troy Choirs have always been a home to me, and it brings me joy to serve the singers around me. I hope the endowment of this scholarship continues to spread the light and love Laura had for choirs not only here at Troy, but anywhere.”
The scholarship is open to students on the Troy Campus pursuing a degree in choral music education. To qualify, students must be a junior or a senior, maintain a 3.0 GPA and provide evidence of their commitment to advancing choral music education and spreading “light and love” through the choral arts.
Recipients are selected by the choral faculty, designated administrative faculty and the Troy University Scholarship Committee. Recipients are required to write a thank you letter to the donor and attend the scholarship donor and recipient reception held each March.
