When doctoral student Rachel Woolf first picked up a flute, she simply wanted to get out of a junior high school physical education class. But she has mastered the instrument. She was named a semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, has performed for the Dalai Lama and just came off a tour with choral rock band Polyphonic Spree.

Faculty members worked around her schedule, allowing her to Skype with a class and write a paper about the touring experience, which she describes as unique and exciting.

"It's funny, in high school, I was voted 'Most Likely to Be a Rock Star,'" Woolf says. "Now that dream has come true."