Dylan Cook was named the 2024-2025 Presser Scholar at the University of Arizona School of Music, one of the most prestigious awards for undergraduate music students.
The Presser Foundation was created by Theodore Presser in 1939. The Presser Foundation helps support music schools and departments at universities across the country. Award recipients must demonstrate a high level of musical and academic excellence, leadership, and inclusivity.
“It is difficult to adequately express my gratitude at this news,” said Cook. “It is an honor to be named the recipient of this generous recognition and award. I am full of pride to represent the school in this way and I am incredibly grateful for your kindness and support.”
The students who are awarded the Presser Scholarship receive $3,000. Dylan offered the following comments on how the funds will be helpful for his life and academic pursuits.
Congratulations Dylan!
“As a working student, it has been the constant struggle of my academic career to balance academic obligations, the pursuit of passion projects, and the work hours necessary to afford food and housing. In this final semester as a Student Teacher, the 40-hour commitment of student teaching has prompted the complete dismissal of creative projects altogether, committing each weekday to the classroom and both weekend days to work.
“The reward amount of this scholarship is equivalent to 200 working hours, or eight weeks of my typical work schedule. This scholarship will allow me to cut back on some of those working hours throughout the semester, turning my attention back to a project that I had left unfinished in the fall.
“It had been my intention to dedicate time to the process of recording a number of works for flute, piano, and harp, in order to take advantage of the incredible Jeffrey Haskell Recording Studio at the School of Music while I am still a student. These recordings would include a handful of works from living composers, including an original composition that was performed on my Senior Recital, and I intend to compile these recordings into an album to be shared on music streaming services.
“It is a firm belief of mine that, in order to establish credibility and market value in the contemporary music industry, high-quality recorded material that is easily distributed and discovered is essential. Furthermore, performing in the studio is a valuable skill that many individuals do not have access to. Through Flutefinity, I have spent a great deal of time in that setting and pursuing this project would serve to broaden my recording knowledge and increase my efficiency. I look forward to creating these recordings and using them as a foundational component of the rest of my career.”
Dylan Cook Bio
Dylan K. Cook (They/Them) is a contemporary flutist and educator based in Tucson, Arizona, studying Music Education and Flute Performance under Dr. Brian Luce at the University of Arizona. They have performed solo and ensemble works, conducted chamber groups, and guest-conducted the Pima Community College and Tucson High School orchestras.
As a flutist, Dylan has premiered works by local composers, performed recitals, and played as a guest musician at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church and Christ Church United Methodist. They are Assistant Director and Alto I of Flutefinity, founder of the Grapevine Wind Quintet, and have held principal positions in UA’s Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble.
An active educator, Dylan mentors students in the Flowing Wells School District, teaches private lessons, and has supported local high school band programs and K-12 music recruitment. They previously worked with the Tucson New Horizons Band and tutored music theory at UA.
Before moving to Arizona, they played in the ManeStage Theatre Company pit orchestra and performed with the Sølvvinden Flute Ensemble at Pacific Lutheran University. A recipient of the Jackie McTee Regional Scholarship, Dylan is passionate about spotlighting original works and expanding musical opportunities for underrepresented voices.