The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department has recognized Landon Mitchell of Buchanan and Luis Sanchez of Niles as the 2026 Outstanding Musicians of the Year Award. The award recognizes leadership within music ensembles, growth in musical knowledge and performance, and excellence in the classroom.
Reflecting on both students, Dr. Rob Lunn, Department Chair, Visual & Performing Arts, and Music Faculty said, “Landon demonstrates a strong understanding of music and consistently goes above and beyond in the classroom. He asks thoughtful questions and stays engaged until concepts are fully clear. He is also an outstanding performer. Luis shares that same commitment to excellence in the classroom, always willing to go the extra mile. He is an exceptional trumpeter who has shown tremendous growth over the past few years.”
While at LMC, Landon Mitchell landed leading roles in the College’s musical productions of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” and “Big Fish,” as well as a supporting role in “School of Rock: The Musical.” He was also a two-year member of Vox LMC, the College’s jazz vocal ensemble, and performed with the LMC Vocal Chamber.
Mitchell got his start in musical theater at just 9 years old when he was cast in a production at The Tin Shop Theatre in Buchanan. He went on to perform with Children’s Music Workshop and, more recently, with Twin City Players and The Ghostlight Theatre.
When the former dual enrollment student started full-time at LMC, he decided to pursue a musical theater pathway, but later changed to music, studying under Lunn and Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge, among others.
“I’ve always loved singing. But I never studied music theory until I came to LMC. I’ve learned so much from the faculty and started feeling more and more passionate about the areas of music beyond performing, like composition and learning to play piano,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell graduated this spring with Highest Honors, earning his Associate in Arts degree in Music. While at LMC, he was named to the President’s List and Dean’s List multiple times and was a member of the Mu Nu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for community colleges.
Mitchell plans to spend the coming year deepening his work in composition and production while exploring different music avenues and career options before selecting a four-year program.
For Luis Sanchez of Niles, music is at the heart of most of what he does. While at LMC the past two years, he studied trumpet and trombone and performed as a member of the Jazz Band directed by Danny Lopez. Sanchez participated in LMC’s Brass Club, under the direction of Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge, traveling to local high schools as part of the Brass Quintet to introduce students to the College’s music program. He was also featured in a trumpet duet with Lopez during the recent Legacy & Song concert and performed at many recitals on both trumpet and trombone in the LMC Mendel Center.
But studying music at LMC is only part of his story over the past two years. Following graduation in 2024 from Brandywine High School, where he served as first chair in the high school band, Section Leader in the marching band, and a member of various jazz ensembles, he was hired as the Band Assistant, working with Brandywine Band Director and LMC adjunct faculty member Ruth Livengood.
As the Band Assistant, he works with students in grades 6-12, helping young musicians understand the music, spending one-on-one time during class, and offering private lessons.
Beyond campus, Sanchez stays active in the local music community, performing with several regional jazz and brass ensembles. While in high school, Sanchez earned college credits through the LMC dual enrollment program. He then chose to attend LMC following graduation to continue his college studies.
This fall, Sanchez will transfer to Western Michigan University, where he has been accepted into the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music to pursue a degree in Music Education: Instrumental. He has received two scholarships from WMU: the Dorothy Upjohn Dalton Scholarship and the Music DT Scholarship.
“I believe that Lake Michigan College has done a great job preparing me to continue my music education,” Sanchez said. “To be admitted to WMU’s School of Music, you have to audition on your main instrument and outperform every other student who also wants to be admitted. There is a limited number of spots open in each studio. I would have never been accepted without the private lessons and classes at LMC that helped me learn how to perform well and improve my skills.”
About the Outstanding Musician of the Year Award
The Lake Michigan College Outstanding Musician of the Year Award is a tradition in the LMC Music Department since 1974. Each year, the music faculty surveys the prospective music graduates and, if a qualified candidate is identified, presents the award to the student who best exemplifies leadership in performance ensembles and has demonstrated significant musical and academic growth during their LMC career.
The Lake Michigan College Outstanding Musician of the Year Award is a tradition in the LMC Music Department since 1974. Each year, the music faculty surveys the prospective music graduates and, if a qualified candidate is identified, presents the award to the student who best exemplifies leadership in performance ensembles and has demonstrated significant musical and academic growth during their LMC career.
For more information about the LMC Visual & Performing Arts department and performances, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts,
email mmcaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call 269-927-8876.
