The eight Grove students who worked collaboratively to bring the idea of a free university concert to fruition were guided by their shared passion and love for music.

Katharine Marbot ’27, DPT ’30, a student in the accelerated dual-degree 3+3 health sciences studies and doctor of physical therapy program, serves as one of the mentors for the Grove group.

“The idea of being a consistent, supportive presence for first-year students, not just during their transition to college but throughout their time here, was incredibly motivating,” said Marbot. “The Grove felt like a natural extension of that passion.”

Marbot also shared her individual appreciation for music.

“Music has been a constant in my life and something I turn to during both stressful and meaningful moments. Being able to incorporate that passion into this project was especially exciting for me, and I believe that enthusiasm was reflected in the final outcome of the event,” said Marbot.

Another student in the Grove group who helped organize the event was sports communications major Braiden Smith ’29.

Smith shared the beauty of having music as an opportunity in college.

“I think it is super important for universities to fund music and the arts. It is a way for people to express themselves, and it’s also enjoyable to watch. I love live music and going to musicals,” said Smith.

The festival featured four unique artists ranging from students and professors to family members of faculty.

One of the bands that performed was a group of four first-year students who met during the 2025 summer Orientation session.

First year students Rob Luceno, Bobby Guhring, Karl Hermonat and Frank Morano, shared their passion for music with each other during Orientation, and stayed in touch throughout their transition to college.

Several months into their first semester, the group officially formed the Melassandra Band and played several covers at the Bobcat Beats Music Festival, including “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers and “About a Girl” by Nirvana.

The group is excited to continue playing together and hopes to start writing original music in the near future. 

The second artist was Jim Davis ’28, MS ’29, a first-year student in the accelerated dual-degree 3+1 graphic and interactive design program.

Davis performed several songs on both guitar and banjo, including a cover of “Crimson and Clay” by Jason Isbell and an original piece titled “Nashville Attractions.”

“The Bobcat Beats Music Festival was a way for me to finally show off all that I had learned. Part of me has always wanted to make music and dreams of hitting it big, so even just a small gig to play helped me fulfill that dream partly,” said Davis. “I loved getting to be a part of an incredibly diverse lineup of musicians and getting to meet folks who have that same passion for music as I do but directed to a completely different genre.”

Davis also reflected on the importance of arts and music at a university, highlighting his gratitude for the festival.

“I think that music truly is the one thing that can connect anyone, regardless of where they were raised, their culture, identities or religion. Music —  especially live music — taps into a deeper understanding,” said Davis. “It's how young people can voice their frustrations, speak out about what they've gone through and express love. Being able to find people you can relate to through music is a magical experience that universities should encourage and support, as it creates friendships and collaborators that last a lifetime.”

Davis’ set was followed by a performance from Jennifer Dauphinais, assistant teaching professor of education and coordinator of the social emotional learning and school climate program.

Dauphinais, under the name “Ponybird,” has toured and play professionally across the Northeast both as an acoustic singer-songwriter and experimental electronic artist. They have also produced music for Off-Broadway performances and been recognized for several prestigious awards, including a Connecticut Music Award nomination, Connecticut Magazine’s Top Five Albums to Check Out in 2022 and multiple recognitions for Top Ten Songs and Albums of the Year in the New Haven Independent.

Since becoming an educator, Dauphinais has integrated music into a part of their pedagogy.
“As a K-12 teacher, I used music, dance and performance as a motivator and structure for classroom activities and lessons,” said Dauphinais.

Outside of the classroom, Dauphinais takes great pride in making a lasting impact on the music industry.

“I have written, recorded and produced several of my own records. Being visible as a woman/queer/non-binary producer is really important to me in the historically male-dominated spaces of music,” said Dauphinais.

Dauphinais performed several original songs, some of which even inspired the audience to turn on their cell phone flashlights and wave in unison to the beat of the music.
Dauphinais said they recognize the strong impact that music can have on community members, especially students.

“Music is essential to my mental health and coping strategies. There are so many skills embedded in these processes that benefit students’ overall development and self-knowledge,” said Dauphinais. “Supporting the arts and music in schools and universities isn’t just about ‘extra’ activities — it plays a central role in how students think, learn and connect with the world.”

An emo duo, who go by the name Honce Band, also performed at the festival. The band consists of Mason Iskra, a high school student and son of adjunct professor Shannon Trueman, plays guitar and sings for the band. Bandmate Arie Reilly plays the drums for the group.

The two met through a mutual friend and have been playing together since July. They performed several original songs and a cover of “Armatage Shanks” by Green Day.

“We had such a great time performing at the event. I loved the feeling of simply playing sounds to an audience, as-well as hoping to inspire anyone there to pick up music,” said Iskra.

The event not only provided the artists an opportunity to showcase their work and talents but brought together the Quinnipiac community in a way that only music can.