�Թ���

Luka Vezmar experienced the CU Boulder College of Music to the fullest and advises incoming freshmen to “say yes, especially at the beginning, because that could set you up to be saying a lot of yeses to opportunities later, too.”

By faculty vote, Vezmar was named the college’s 2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior based on his strong record of scholarship, musicianship and an emerging record of service and/or leadership. Majoring in both composition and oboe performance, Vezmar was doubly engaged.��

Since his freshman year, he’s been part of the Bar Before Quintet, a wind ensemble also including Corva Graham (flute), Nikhila Narayana (clarinet), Nathan Bonin (horn) and David Guy (bassoon). “We got into two national competitions this year—the Coltman Chamber Competition and the Music Teachers National Association [MTNA] Competition—winning third place at MTNA which was really awesome,” he says.��

Through the college’s Chamber Music Program, he also met Associate Professor of Violin Harumi Rhodes and eventually composed a piece for her Faculty Tuesdays concert in September 2025, with Rhodes on violin and himself on accordion. “That was probably my favorite commission because we got to have so much fun and we incorporated staging which made the music come alive,” Vezmar says. He further composed pieces for the College of Music Chamber Winds as well as commissions for Chase the Music, bringing inspiration to children battling critical illnesses with music written and performed just for them.

Vezmar also worked three years as an usher under the supervision of CU Presents Front of House Director Rojana Savoye. “She’s the best boss ever and I got to still be close to music by listening to the concerts I was working,” he says.

In addition to giving a speech at the College of Music’s recognition ceremony on May 2, Vezmar is performing in the Colorado Symphony’s “The Rite of Spring” concerts, May 1-3. “It’s crazy, but very wonderful.”

“I'm very thankful for all of the experiences I’ve had here and for all of my professors, getting me to where I am today,” he adds. “Being named Outstanding Senior is a wonderful end to my time at CU Boulder—it’s nice to know that what I did is appreciated and that I made an impact.”

This fall, Vezmar will continue his studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, pursuing a master’s in composition.��

Congratulations to Vezmar and��all of our 2026 outstanding students!

• Outstanding Graduating Senior—Luka Vezmar, composition + oboe performance
• Outstanding Junior—Corva Graham, flute performance
• Outstanding Sophomore—David Guy, music education (instrumental band) + bassoon performance
• Outstanding Freshman—Eliot BeVier Dill, musicology

Learn more about the college’s 2026 recognition ceremony!