Class of 2025 music grad Johnston NguyenOn center stage with a baton in his right hand, student instrumental wind conductor Johnston Nguyen faces the musicians. Nguyen earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2020 at CSUF and then completed the one-year credential program to teach music. Graduate student Johnston Nguyen gets a lesson in conducting from Dustin Barr, associate professor of musicAn undergraduate class taught by Dustin Barr, associate professor of music, inspired him to pursue conducting at the graduate level. “He’s the kind of student who takes risks and usually comes out on top.”Nguyen is the inaugural recipient of the Alan V. Stang, Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship for Instrumental Wind Conducting. In CSUF’s rigorous conducting program, Nguyen engages in scholarly music study, leads rehearsals and performances, and selects music for student musicians to perform.