Ƶ VAPA faculty perform at international conferences in South Korea and Poland

Published September 16, 2026

Two photos of men with instruments along with the Ƶ logo.

CAPTION:Two Ƶ music professors performed internationally in the summer of 2026. Scot Humes, DMA (left), performed in South Korea, while James Boldin, DMA (right), performed in Poland.


MONROE, La.–Two University of Louisiana Monroe School of Visual and Performing Arts faculty members performed abroad during the summer of 2026.Scot Humes, DMA,and James Boldin, DMA, attended and performed at international conferencesafter being selectedthrough a competitive application process.

Humes, Professor of Music and holder of theEmy-Lou Biedenharn 2nd Endowed Professorship in Music, performed atClarinetFest® 2026, July 7 – 11, in Incheon, South Korea, at the SongdoConvensiAConvention Center. He performed works for clarinet and piano that included "The Air We Spoke" by modern composer Edmund Song (b. 1995) and Humes' own transcription of the work "D'un matin de printemps" by composer Lili Boulanger (1893-1918).

About the conference, Humes says, "It is not only a privilege to be selected as a performer at the oldest and largest international conference within my instrument’s discipline, but to have my participation highlight Ƶ and the School of Visual and Performing Arts on the global stage carries with it a large amount of pride."ClarinetFestis the annual conference of the International Clarinet Association.

Boldin, Professor of Music and holder of the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Endowed Chair in Music, performed at the 58th International Horn Symposium, July 7-12,in Kraków, Poland,at theKrzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music. Boldin performed a program of works by American composers for horn and piano, includingReverieby Gina Gillie (b. 1981) andAbide with Meby Kerry Turner (b. 1960). He also performed chamber works for horn ensemble with members of the International Horn Society’s Advisory Council.

“Performing at the 58th International Horn Symposium in Kraków was an incredible honor,” says Boldin, “and I was proud to represent Ƶ and the School of Visual and Performing Arts at this important international conference.”

The School of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana Monroe aims to provide students with the highest level of arts education, research, and educational opportunities for majors and minors. VAPA aims to offer curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular opportunities to students enrolled at Ƶ, as well as provide cultural activities,special events, and performances for university, local, and area communities. VAPA at Ƶ offers degrees in various disciplines in art and music as well as experiences in dance and theatre. For more information, visit.