Our Scholars

Xander Tilock is an actor, director, and writer from Falls Church, Virginia. He has participated in 36 full-length productions since 2015 with multiple groups including the Guthrie Theater, Harvard University, Northwestern University, and others. Xander has loved theatre his entire life --- he is a Drama and Media Studies major at UVA. Some of his favorite productions include Frozen Jr. (Hans), Robin Hood (Robin Hood), and A Winter Star (Director and Playwright). In high school, Xander won six gold medals in the categories of serious duo and humorous duo in VHSL Forensics competitions. He is currently the Community Chair of the Virginia Players Executive Team as well as the PR Director for Miller Arts Scholars. Xander is honored to be a part of the Miller Arts Scholars community and is looking forward to continuing to share his passion for the arts with the UVA community.

Ben Berry is a jazz pianist and multi-instrumentalist from Boulder, Colorado. His passion for jazz was ignited after discovering the expressive and creative freedom of improvisational music. Inspired by the likes of J. Dilla, Ben has incorporated his jazz and gospel background into his own musical compositions and productions. During his high school years spent at the American School in London, he traveled Europe with his school’s jazz band and was selected to play in various jazz festivals. At UVA, he is a pianist of both the jazz ensemble and small group quintet. He continues to pursue both his jazz and musical production passions. He is thrilled to be part of the Miller Arts Scholar program and looks forward to working alongside other creatives while self-producing a full length project.

Alex Burijon was introduced to music as a baby swaddled on his dad's keyboard, but as soon as he could walk, he began to dance to Fantasia and Star Wars. He took up piano and violin lessons early, pursuing violin until his senior year of high school, after which he began to study ukulele, electric bass, and acoustic guitar (along with a COVID-19 drum hobby). He began to sing in church and school choirs as soon as they would let him in, and since then he has been unable to stop singing. This led to becoming involved with vocal coaches and opportunities for many features in violin and voice, namely the soprano part of the "Benedictus" from Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major and the soprano solo "The Marvelous Work" from Haydn's The Creation. He briefly joined a District Choir of Richmond, his hometown, that extremely inspired him to pursue performance. Outside of school, Alex performed in musicals such as Newsies, Matilda, and Into the Woods, Jr., culminating in his performance as the "Learn Your Lessons Well" soloist of Godspell. Since coming to UVA, he joined the all-gender a cappella group Harmonious Hoos, first arranging for them and then serving as a Music Director. He also tap-danced his way into the theater scene as Oscar Shaprio in Curtains and Nostradamus in Something Rotten with First Year Players, later serving as a vocal director for Hello Dolly and as a Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair for 2022-2023. Alex is honored and beyond excited at this opportunity to further grow his relationships within the UVA Arts community, and he cannot wait for what the future holds!

Zoe Edelman is a computer science and studio art double major from Dover, Delaware.  As a child, she began her artistic endeavors drawing suns in the corner of her paper and weirdly proportioned people.  From there, Zoe took various classes in things like drawing, pottery making, and collaging while also participating in summer camps to fuel her artistic drive.  Now at UVA, Zoe aims to focus on new media as she has aspirations to become a user experience/user interface designer to bring more creativity to the way we view the internet.  Outside of studio art, Zoe is an active member of the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra as a bassoonist and contrabassoonist, the WXTJ house show committee, the club swim team, and the club fencing team.  She is thrilled to be a part of the Miller Arts Scholars program and develop her artistic pursuits and mediums.

Rachel Guo is an intended economics/creative writing double major with minors in drama and studio art. Prior to coming to UVA, her writing has earned two silver medals for Flash Fiction from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Outside of creative writing, she’s also involved in a number of other activities, with involvement in numerous student films, as well as First Year Players. She has also studied film acting at Stonestreet Studios. Rachel is also involved in music, having taken lessons in classical piano since the age of six, and continuing them at UVA. She hopes to combine her artistic interests with larger portfolio projects. Rachel is honored to be a part of the Miller Arts Program, and is excited to continue her creative endeavors in this community!

Mary Hall is a Ridley and Echols Scholar pursuing majors in African American and African Studies as well as Drama. Originally from Greensboro, NC before relocating to Richmond, VA, she has always had a passion for performing, due in large part to her family doing the same all of her life. She started performing in theatre productions in 2015 as a part of her middle school’s production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and has never looked back since. Her favorite credits since then are playing Humpty Dumpty in Shrek the Musical (2019) and Diana Morales in Spectrum Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line. Other UVA involvements include acting in UVA Drama’s Overcranked! short films, the Direct to You! Festival, WXTJ Student Radio, and most recently Flux Poetry and Spoken Word. She’s excited to delve deeper into her Drama major and combine it with her AAS major in order to research more of the Black theatre world, and is immensely grateful that she’s able to do so as a Miller Arts Scholar.

Arianna Jobst is from Wayne, New Jersey and is pursuing a double major in Media Studies and English, with an intended concentration of Literary Prose. She’s always loved writing– filling marble notebooks with novels since elementary school. She loves writing in all forms: prose, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, etc and always has a notebook on her to write down any ideas she might get in the moment. Prior to coming to the University of Virginia, she received awards for her academic writing prior, had her pieces selected to be performed, and had pieces printed in school publications. Arianna has thrown herself into creative writing at UVA– taking workshop classes with the English department as well as being part of several literary clubs. Additionally, any pursuits outside of literary clubs ultimately just connect back to her writing: whether that be stand-up comedy, improv, filmmaking, film editing, hosting a radio show, or satire journalism, everything in her life comes back to influence her writing. Arianna is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of an amazing community of Scholars, and is honored to be a Miller Arts Scholar.

I’ve been drawn to the arts since before I can remember. Starting off creating jovial work for friends in elementary school, eventually I was making pieces for school offices, charity auctions, and community murals at a young age. I grew a small art business and began assistant teaching my school’s introduction classes all before graduating high school. Experiencing the joy of teaching and connecting through art is something that continues to impact me and my artistic goals to this day. I’m now studying environmental science and studio art with a concentration in new media. My hope is to find the intersection of both disciplines and forge a new realm of public education and engagement. I’m very passionate about combining science and art, ultimately viewing the pursuit of my degrees as the study of both humanity and the world around us. At the beginning of my second year, I began exploring the world of music and formed a local band called behindthesun. Becoming a singer/songwriter and performer unlocked a newfound confidence in my voice, both literally and figuratively. I’m excited to continue discovering new, creative experiences and community through the art of sound. In my visual work, I delve into a range of disciplines and techniques, usually with an experimental attitude. Film photography, print making, acrylic and oil painting, some sculpture, drawing, collaging, and digital art to name a few! I’m increasingly interested in the research process and the ethics of material use in my projects. The themes of my work often involve the questioning of reality, personal identity, memory, metaphysical investigation, social/political issues, and curiosity about the boundaries of comfort/acceptability. I’m ecstatic to be a Miller Arts Scholar and to have a role in shaping and growing this community of imaginative, critical thinkers and creators.

Emily is a Computer Science and Studio Art major. She has always loved creating and viewing art. As a child, she took drawing and painting classes. In her free time, she enjoys painting landscapes with acrylic paint. Emily has explored different art forms at the University of Virginia from New Media to Cinematography to Performance Art. She has a penchant for technology and wants to explore new and unconventional art forms. Her work tends to focus on race, identity, and time. Emily hopes to incorporate the different senses into her work, creating a 4-D experience for audience members. Outside of Studio Art, Emily is a member of alpha Kappa Delta Phi, enjoys playing the piano, and cooking. Emily is so excited and honored to be a Miller Arts Scholar. She is inspired by the talented individuals in the arts scholar community and hopes to learn from them.

Helen (Holly) Teti is a singer and songwriter from Princeton, New Jersey. Her songwriting is heavily inspired by 70s folk and modern indie musicians such as Joni Mitchell and Phoebe Bridgers. Her debut EP “In A Hazy Green Light” was released to streaming on April 1, 2022. In addition to making her own music, she is a student of Art History and involved in student theater on grounds through Shakespeare on the Lawn. She is also an Alto in the University Singers and Chamber Singers. Outside of the arts, Holly is an Advisor on the UVA Honor committee and a volunteer ski instructor. 

Amanda Yo grew up in McLean, Virginia and began playing flute at the age of ten. Beginning with involvement in area band, she expanded to become actively involved in her high school band and orchestra, marching band, and flute choir. Outside of school she was involved in music in a variety of ways, including playing at her church, with the combined GMU flute choir, Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA), Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, and attending PIMF. She has competed and placed at districts, senior regional orchestra, and VA-All State levels on flute and piccolo. At UVA, Amanda currently studies under Dr. Kelly Sulick and plays with the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra. She continues to compete, and has done so at the 3rd Annual UVA Flute forum placing as one of three winners as well as placing as an alternate at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention Collegiate Competition. Music has grown to become an integral part of her life and expression. She hopes to expand her experience and knowledge, in the form of ensembles, genres and other instruments. Currently, she intends to pursue degrees in music and physics. Amanda is excited and honored to be a part of the Millers Arts Scholars program. She hopes to grow, be inspired further, and actively be involved in the community.

Becca Davis is an English Major and Drama Minor from Bristow, Virginia. As a child, she loved writing plays and stories with her older sister and friends. In high school, she started taking theater classes and performing in school plays. During her sophomore year, she discovered her love of Shakespeare when playing Tom Snout in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After that, her love of classical theater only grew. She began studying English and Drama in college while also participating in Shakespeare on the Lawn, in which she first played Kent in a production of King Lear over Zoom her first year. Becca has since participate in several SotL projects large and small as an actor, assistant director, and dramaturg, and hopes to continue expanding her involvement until she graduates. She also participated as an actor in the New Works Festival in Spring 2021 which consisted of Covid-conscious audio dramas rather than stage shows. She maintains a deep appreciation for this festival and its encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration between students and the broader Charlottesville community. In Spring 2022 she was the secretary for the Washington Literary Society and Debating Union; this position required her to write and perform weekly comedic monologues in lieu of delivering the minutes from the previous meeting. Becca is interested in writing plays, stand-up comedy, sketches, and short stories that fall in the intersection of the intellectual and the accessible. Her writing tends to include everything from classical allusions to eye roll-worthy puns to bawdy humor, or even all at the same time. She is thrilled to be a Miller Arts Scholar to join a community of passionate and talented artists with whom she can collaborate and learn.

Elise Ebert grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia. She joined choir at age four and has been singing ever since. Choir quickly turned into a passion for opera, which she continues to study under Pamela Beasley at the University of Virginia. In high school, she was involved with her school choir, as well as Virginia All-State, six years of All-District choir, and VMEA Senior Honors Choir. Outside of school, she participated in many operas and operettas, some of her favorites being an abridged version of The Magic Flute (Pamina), H.M.S. Pinafore (Josephine), and Hansel and Gretl (Sandman/Dew Fairy). Elise also loves acting and dance and was a member of her high school’s Dance Team and theatre department. At UVA, Elise is involved with University Singers, First Year Players, Student Council Arts Committee, and recently joined UVA’s premiere all-gender a cappella group, the New Dominions. She is thrilled to be a member of the Miller Arts Scholars and is eager to expand her passion for music alongside these incredible artists.

Emily Hunter is from Falls Church, Virginia, and started playing the flute at age 10. Emily plans on double majoring in cognitive science and music on a pre-med track. She was a National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Youth Fellow, where she was mentored by NSO members and performed on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage with a chamber ensemble. Also, as a member of American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (AYPO) she had the opportunity to perform as principal flute and also was a member of a chamber quintet. Emily placed in a variety of music competitions that included the Washington National Youth Music, Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, Fairfax County Band Directors Association, and she was a finalist in the Flute Society of Washington. She placed in All District and State Virginia bands and attended the Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts. At UVA, she is involved in the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra and is under direction of her private instructor, Professor Kelly Sulick. Emily is honored to be part of the Miller Arts Scholars program and is excited to work with other students who are also passionate about music!

Heeran Karim is a Pre-Med double majoring in Studio Art and Human Biology from Sterling, Virginia. She learned a variety of art styles at a very young age from watching endless hours of YouTube videos and constantly experimenting. Her passion in art began with painting, crafting with duct tape, sculpting with polymer clay, and drawing cartoons with her treasured Prismacolors. She has lived by being “artistically spontaneous” to consistently learn new styles of art. Through her high school yearbook program, she became Editor and Chief, designing yearbook spreads, photographing, writing stories, and video editing. From this experience, she developed the idea of a literary magazine for the Echols Scholars Program, spreading her artistic abilities into her journalistic interests. She further joined Cavalier Daily Graphics at UVA, learning to digitally draw, and she extended this newfound skill to create scientific graphics for her Neuroscience Lab. Lastly, she channeled her love for drawing and educating herself on new forms of art by taking Lithography and Relief, eventually declaring studio art with a concentration in printmaking as her major. In her journey of becoming a doctor, she hopes to blend her passion for medicine and art by way of augmenting medical illustrations to capture the detailed and hands-on nature of medicine for improved instruction. Heeran is honored to be a part of the Miller Arts Scholars Program and is eager to work with faculty and students who share her artistic endeavors.

Alyssa Kelley grew up in Richmond, Virginia and began dancing at age three. She started at the School of Dance Arts in Mechanicsville, Virginia where she learned foundational techniques of ballet and modern. Alyssa later began to work with the Concert Ballet of Virginia where she participated in ballet performances throughout Central Virginia such as The Nutcracker, Peter Rabbit, and Sweeney Todd. In high school, Alyssa danced primarily at 804 Dance Place in Ashland, Virginia and expanded her training to jazz, tap, and contemporary styles along with ballet and modern dance. Through the 804 Dance Place studio, she was able to participate at many events in the Richmond area, including the Richmond Dance Festival, Dance Makers Inc. competition, and the Virginia Dance Festival. During her time there, Alyssa also auditioned for the Youth Ensemble of the Dogwood Dance Project, a modern-based company started by JMU Dance Alumni, and trained with them from 2017-2019. At UVA, Alyssa majors in Biology and Environmental Thought and Practice with a minor in Dance. She is a member of the UVA Dance Committee currently serving on their executive team, and enjoys participating in the Dance Department’s fall and spring concerts. Alyssa is excited to be a part of the Miller Arts Scholars and is grateful for the opportunity to work with other artists on grounds.

Maya Koehn-Wu is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia double majoring in Urban and Environmental Planning and Global Sustainability, and minoring in Dance. Her intersectional identity as a multiracial female inspires her exploration of different cultures and drive to constantly be making global connections and impacts.Through dance, art, and creative social justice work, she seeks to experience the world outside of where she lives. In addition to being a globally minded, assertive, and politically vocal citizen, she is working as an environmental activist seeking to work within the global community to tackle climate change and intersectional inequities. 

Maya has previous background in Latin Dance, Flamenco, and community engagement work through dance when dancing with the Junior and Professional Company of the Latin Ballet of Virginia. At UVA, she is a student intern at IEN and the creative undergraduate fellow of the Sound Justice Lab. In her free time, Maya enjoys salsa dancing, cooking, painting, and exploring the outdoors. 

Cassie Lipton grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and started playing flute at the age of 11. She has been heavily involved in music ever since. In high school, she was a member of the wind ensemble, the marching band, and the jazz ensemble (for which she also learned tenor saxophone). In marching band, she was Flute Section Leader her junior year and Hornline Captain her senior year. She participated in the Central All-District Band for three years, including as principal chair her senior year. During that year she was also selected to participate in the North Carolina All-State Band. Cassie participated in the North Carolina Youth Wind Ensemble for the 2019 and 2020 touring seasons as one of three rotating principal chairs. She was also a finalist and 3rd place winner for the South Carolina Flute Society Senior Artist competition her sophomore year in high school. At UVA, Cassie studies flute under Kelly Sulick. She is currently a member of the Cavalier Marching Band, the Charlottesville Symphony, and a jazz chamber ensemble. Cassie is excited to be a member of the Miller Arts Scholars program and to further her knowledge and experience in music.

Emma Reilly is a second-year Echols Scholar majoring in History and English with an intended concentration of Literary Prose or Poetry Writing. She grew up in Sykesville, Maryland, where a passion for reading evolved into a love of writing in all its forms—poetry, prose, scriptwriting, songwriting, and more. Before coming to the University of Virginia, Emma received a National Silver Medal in Science Fiction and fourteen regional Gold and Silver Keys in various categories from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. During her brief time at the University, Emma has been selected to represent UVA at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI), served as FLUX Poetry and Spoken Word’s Outreach Chair, and had her work published in several on-grounds publications. Her writing can also be found at https://egreilly.squarespace.com. Emma is incredibly honored and excited to join the vibrant community of Miller Arts Scholars on-Grounds. 

Collin White grew up in Bristol, Virginia and has been dancing since she was three years old. She danced with Bristol Ballet for fifteen years until coming to the University of Virginia. At Bristol Ballet she performed in various productions and concerts throughout the year and some of her favorite roles include Clara and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, and Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. She previously attended Nashville Ballet's Summer Intensive Program for two years, as well as the University of South Carolina's Contemporary Dance Program.  While Collin has trained primarily in ballet and contemporary, she also loves hip-hop and lyrical. She is a member of the UVA Rhapsody Ballet Ensemble and intends to minor in dance. Collin is excited to continue her passion for dance at the University of Virginia and is honored to be a Miller Arts Scholar.