Three alumni of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music have been recognized by the Recording Academy with nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards. Karim Sulayman ’01, Nicholas Newton ’19 and Blanton Alspaugh ’87 were each honored for their exceptional work in opera and classical music recording.
Sulayman, a tenor who earned his Master of Music fin 2001, was nominated for Best Opera Recording for composer Mary Kouyoumdjian’s “Adoration.” Sulayman previously won a Grammy in 2019 for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album with “Songs of Orpheus – Monteverdi, Caccini, D'India & Landi” and earned another nomination in 2024 for “Broken Branches.”
Newton, a bass-baritone and 2019 graduate of the Shepherd School, also received a nomination in the Best Opera Recording category for his performance in Jake Heggie’s “Intelligence,” which premiered at Houston Grand Opera. The work, created by composer Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer, tells the story of two women who risk their lives as spies during the Civil War.
Its recording was produced by fellow Shepherd School alumnus Alspaugh, who was also nominated for Producer of the Year, Classical. A 30-time Grammy nominee and 11-time winner, Alspaugh has long been regarded as one of the industry’s most accomplished producers, known for his work capturing world-class performances with artistry and clarity.
The “Intelligence” recording also features the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, which includes many Shepherd School alumni among its ranks, further highlighting the school’s deep and ongoing contributions to the city’s artistic community.
In addition, Alarm Will Sound earned a nomination for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for its recording of Donnacha Dennehy’s “Land of Winter.” The ensemble includes two Shepherd School alumni: violist Andrew Griffin and trombonist Michael Clayville.
These 2026 Grammy nominations spotlight the Shepherd School’s legacy of musical excellence and its alumni’s ongoing impact on the world stage. Winners will be announced Feb. 1.