University of the Pacific’s Pacific Jazz Collective took first place in the College Combo Division at the 2026 Reno Jazz Festival, held at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The ensemble included recent Conservatory of Music graduates Michael Andersen '26, Miranda Duarte '26, Bergen Finley '26 and Alex Maldonado '26 and first-year student Victor Cyrus-Franklin '29. The group ended their performance with an original piece written by Finley.

For Conservatory of Music Dean Peter Witte, the group’s success marks another milestone in Pacific’s rich jazz tradition.

"Jazz is part of Pacific’s DNA, and the 2026 Jazz Collective is its most recent evolution," Witte said. "This group includes students majoring or double majoring in jazz, composition and music industry studies. As our Reno excursion made clear, Pacific’s gifts are many and Pacific jazz still swings." 

The annual festival brings together thousands of people for three days of competition, clinics and performances. 

“I felt really proud to represent Pacific,” said Cyrus-Franklin. “To be able to show people in other cities that may not have heard of us what we’re made of is awesome.”

As a first-year student, Cyrus-Franklin said the opportunity to perform in an ensemble with fourth-year students throughout the year provided valuable learning opportunities. 

“I've never been in a space where everyone has been so much older than me,” he said. “But Bergen, Mike, Miranda and Alex are wonderful people who at every moment they could, made me feel accepted and welcomed. They're all extremely experienced and skilled and talented musicians.”

This mentorship, he says, is woven into the culture of the Conservatory, where students learn from one another in rehearsal and performance settings. Faculty mentors also play a major role. Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Joe Mazzaferro guided students throughout the trip to Reno, modeling musicianship and professionalism.

“Getting the real-world, outside of school experience with him, seeing the way he interacts with people and the way he communicates as a professional in this space is something I look up to,” Cyrus-Franklin said.

In addition to performing, students attended a clinic with saxophonist Anisha Rush and vocalist Bailey Hinkley Grogan and watched performances by bands of all levels.

"A trip like this is an awesome bonding experience for our students both personally and musically," Mazzaferro said. "Not only do they get to travel and hang together, but play music and see what other schools are doing at various levels.

"For me, it’s not about winning, as music is art. What I enjoy is watching them perform and thinking about the musical and personal development of each student over the course of the year, and for some 3 years. It’s inspiring," he said. 

Learn more about the Conservatory of Music’s jazz studies program.