Three Nebraska Wesleyan University music alumni are being recognized for their career accomplishments.
Emily Bruflat (’10) has received the Outstanding Young Music Alum and Liana K. Sandin (’81) and Ray Young (’49) have received Outstanding Music Alum awards. The alumni were honored during homecoming activities September 27-October 1.
Bluflat earned a degree in music education from Nebraska Wesleyan and studied piano with music professor Larry Jones and organ with professor Masako Nakamura Bacon. Following her graduation she moved to Saint Paul, Minn., to attend Luther Seminary. She spent five years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bayport, Minn., as director of worship and music. Most recently, she has served as cantor at First Lutheran Church in Saint Peter, Minn.
Sandin earned a degree in vocal performance from Nebraska Wesleyan University and pursued graduate work in the same field at the University of Nebraska School of Music. While at NWU, she met student Pearle F. Finigan and together they operated various business interests including establishing a private foundation. As president and executive director of the Pearle Francis Finigan Foundation, Sandin selects and manages grants for music and the arts to local educational, humanitarian and religious institutions. She is active in the local music community and sang with the Lincoln Choral Artists at Carnegie Hall. She has been a church musician for over 30 years.
Young began his long career as an organist at the Alliance Methodist Church at 14. While at NWU he played organ in several local churches. He played for radio and television stations, performed with local big bands, and played French horn with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Young and his NWU colleague, Gerry Kelley, a violinist, were invited to play a concert at Carnegie Hall.