JTC 26: Steinway Hall, Galway and Oxford

Most undergraduates spend their college years preparing for a career. Benton Donahue spent his time at the University of Mississippi building one.

The Madison native conducted two symphony orchestras, performed at Steinway Hall in New York City and sang at the Galway International Arts Festival, all before ever earning his degree.

In May, he graduates with a bachelor's degree in music education and will remain at the university to pursue a master’s degree in choral conducting.

Q&A with Benton Donahue

What brought you to Ole Miss? Why did you choose your major?

Ole Miss honestly was not my first plan. For a long time, I thought I needed to go far away to really pursue music. That felt like the right move. But a close family friend convinced me to visit Ole Miss, and that trip changed everything.

From the moment I stepped on campus, something just felt right. It was not just the place; it was the people. Meeting Nancy Maria Balach, chair and professor of music, made a huge impact on me. She did not just talk about the program; she made me feel like I already belonged in it. That stuck with me.

I always knew I wanted to teach, but music education really clicked for me back in middle school. I remember watching my choir teacher, Mary Leigh Ochoa, sit down at the piano and take a room full of sixth-grade boys and turn it into something that actually sounded good.

But more than that, she made it matter. That was the moment I realized this is what I wanted to do.

What standout experiences have you had at Ole Miss?

A lot of my time here has been shaped by opportunities I did not even know I would have when I first got to campus.

Through the Stamps Impact Prize, I have been able to explore orchestral conducting, working with Maestro Steven Byess as assistant conductor of the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. I also got to conduct the Lafayette-Oxford-University Symphony Orchestra, which was a huge moment for me.

The Ole Miss Women's Council has opened so many doors: getting to meet people, build connections and see what a career in music can actually look like. And through the Living Music Resource, I have gotten to be part of creating experiences that bring people together – students, artists and the community. That work has meant a lot to me because it is about making music feel accessible, not distant.

I have also had some incredible experiences outside of Oxford, performing at Steinway Hall in New York City, visiting the New York Philharmonic Archives, studying abroad in Ireland and singing in the Galway International Music Festival. Those moments have helped me see the bigger picture of where this path can go.

Were there any challenges you overcame during your college journey?

One of the most important things I have learned at Ole Miss is how to find purpose in rejection. Early on, I faced a few setbacks, positions and opportunities I thought I needed in order to succeed.

At the time, those moments felt like real failures, and it was hard not to take them personally. But over time, my perspective shifted. I began to see rejection not as an ending, but as redirection, pointing me toward the work and spaces where I am actually meant to grow and serve.

It pushed me to be more prepared, more intentional and more confident in what I bring to the table. That change in mindset has shaped the way I approach every opportunity now.

Who has been your most influential mentor, professor or supporter at Ole Miss?

Nancy Maria Balach, without a doubt. She has challenged me in ways that I did not always expect, but always needed. She has pushed me to take on opportunities that felt a little out of reach and helped me grow into them.

What has meant the most, though, is that she has always been someone I can go to, whether it is about music, school or just figuring things out. She has been honest, supportive and genuinely invested in my growth.

Having someone like that in your corner makes a huge difference, and I am really grateful for the role she has played in my time here.

What are your post-graduation plans?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a master's degree in choral conducting at the University of Mississippi.

Staying at Ole Miss gives me the chance to continue learning from faculty and mentors who have already invested so much in my growth, while also building on the professional opportunities I have started, especially with the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the Oxford Civic Chorus. It feels like the right place to keep developing both as a conductor and educator.

How has your Ole Miss education prepared you for your next steps?

Ole Miss has really pushed me to say yes to opportunities, even the ones that felt a little out of reach. Because of that, I have been able to gain a wide range of experiences that have prepared me not just academically, but professionally. I feel more confident stepping into what is next because I have already been given the chance to try, learn and grow in real-world settings.

In one sentence, what would you tell future Ole Miss students?

Find your people, say yes to opportunities and get involved. There is a place for you here, and it is worth diving into it.

Top: Benton Donahue, a music education graduate from Madison, graduates in May after conducting two symphony orchestras, performing at Steinway Hall in New York City and singing at the Galway International Music Festival in Ireland. He will continue at Ole Miss in the fall to pursue a master's degree in choral conducting. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services