Meet the Musicians who performed at their own Commencement Ceremony

For the Mount St. Mary's band and chorale, commencement is a performance, but for the band members also part of the Class of 2026, it was a final concert they could share with classmates, friends, and family. Here are some of the Mount's newest alumni who graduated with a diploma in one hand and an instrument in the other.

Rhiannon Hime

Hailing from Williamsburg, Virginia, Hime was a human services major with minors in sociology and criminal justice, played clarinet, and was involved in pep band and wind ensemble. After graduation, Hime plans to stay at the Mount for a master’s in health administration while continuing to be a part of the pep band.

What has it been like playing in the band?

"I love being in pep band because a big part of it is being active and having fun and having spirit. I think being able to have people who motivated me to continue to be greater than what I am and motivate me to push myself past the limits of what I know I can do definitely helped me. We created a lot of great memories."

Anthony Silvestri

Silvestri, from New Jersey, studied politics, philosophy, and economics, played the drum set in the band, and was involved in SGA, where he served as president. After graduation, he is headed to George Washington University to study law.

What has your experience at the Mount been like?

"I don't even know how to describe it. It's like that quote: 'For those who went here, no explanation is needed; for those who didn't, no explanation is possible.' I think that's how I feel about it. It's just wonderful."

Audrey Russell

A communications major with a minor in music, Russell plays the flute, and was also involved in the band, chorale, and theater ensemble at the Mount. After graduation, she is looking forward to relaxing for a bit and visiting family in her hometown of Baltimore.

What was your experience like in the Visual and Performing Arts program at the Mount? 

"I've met a lot of amazing people in that department. And our instructor, Dr. Mark Carlson, is just incredible. Delaplaine [Fine Arts Center] is definitely my go-to building on campus, and it's just a wonderful place to be creative, to express yourself, and just really enjoy making music and being artistic."

Ryan Kelly

Kelly, who is from Alexandria, Virginia, majored in business management and music and plans to return to the Mount for an MBA in project management. He played trombone in the band for all four years. 

What is the best part of playing in the band?

"It's a really tight-knit band, being at a small university. You can feel the passion of everybody and how much we really enjoy playing in the band...I'm going to miss the communal atmosphere, the learning atmosphere. People are always willing to like stay with you and learn with you. People are also always willing to goof around and have fun."

Alize and Piper Michaud

Twins Alize and Piper are from Baltimore and independently chose the Mount as their home in high school, even sticking together as college roommates. Piper was a chemistry major, was involved in SGA and played the clarinet while Alize studied history and played trumpet. After graduation, Alize plans to do a three-week study abroad program in Florence, Italy.

What was it like going to the Mount together?

Piper: "We both decided to go to the Mount because we both fell in love with it. We've had different experiences, but we've both had similar successes, and we've both really thrived and grown here, both separately and together."

Alize: "It was nice to always have someone to rely on from home. Everyone thought we were crazy for living together freshman year, but it's really nice to have someone who you've known literally your entire life to fall back on."

Matt Shannon 

From New Freedom, Pennsylvania, Shannon was a business major with a sport management minor, played brass in the band and was involved in club baseball. After graduation, he will be interning with the York Revolution baseball team.

What's the one thing about the Mount that you're going to miss?

"Honestly, music. I mean, I think I'm retiring from music after this. All the relationships I built since middle school, all my closest relationships here have been through music. I'll definitely miss the camaraderie."