Karl Carpenter, Stephanie Hodgdon, Carlos Ortiz IV named to CAPA Hall of Fame

NATCHITOCHES – Karl Carpenter of Pineville and Stephanie Hodgdon and Carlos Ortiz IV of New Orleans will be the 2026-27 inductees into the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame at Northwestern State University.

The inductees will be honored at the NSU Jazz Orchestra concert on Thursday, Oct. 1. Each of the inductees will perform during the concert. A reception honoring Carpenter, Hodgdon and Ortiz will follow the event.

Carpenter spent 46 years as a Louisiana educator with 42 years in the Rapides Parish School System. He was principal of Pineville High School from 2007-2025 and Carter C. Raymond Middle School from 2003-2007. Carpenter was at Tioga High School for 20 years as an award-winning band director and assistant principal. In 1996, the Tioga High Band took part in the July 4 parade in Washington, D.C. and played a concert at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. He was an adjunct professor at Northwestern State and Louisiana College for more than 20 years.

Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Music Education from NSU in 1979, a Master of Music in Conducting from NSU in 1987 and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2001.

The Louisiana Music Educators Association honored him with induction into its Hall of Fame in 2012 and as Administrator of the Year. He was a finalist for the State Principal of the Year in 2016. The School of Education at Northwestern named Carpenter to its Hall of Distinguished Educators in 2010.

His expertise was respected on the state and national level. Carpenter served on Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal’s Transition Education Task Force. He served 12 years on the State Accountability Commission for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education representing the Fifth Congressional District of Louisiana. Carpenter was invited to read grants for the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C. in 2001.

“Karl Carpenter has distinguished himself both as a music educator and as an administrator during his professional career,” said Bill Brent, director emeritus of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State. “Both his marching and concert bands presented award winning performances, and he was highly respected for his leadership at Pineville High School where he served as principal for many years. He met his wife, Terri, while they were both undergraduates at NSU, and all three of their children graduated from NSU. He is a long-time supporter of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts and I am thrilled that he will join the School of CAPA “Hall of Fame”.”

Hodgdon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Northwestern in 1997, where she was active not only as a performer, but also as a leader. She served as President of the Student Theatre Union. In 2001-02, she returned to Northwestern to teach the university’s introductory fine arts course.

After graduating from NSU, Hodgdon built an international career as a headlining vocalist with Princess Cruises, a role she has held since 2002. Her talent has taken her around the world, performing on ships such as the Regal Princess, Island Princess, Star Princess and others where she captivates audiences with her powerhouse vocals and undeniable presence.

Hodgdon created and stars in the hit touring production “SHE WILL ROCK YOU!,” a tribute to rock legends including Queen, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Led Zeppelin, and Heart. Presenters have described her voice as “unreal” and called her “a true rock diva… one of the best singers I have ever heard live.”

She received good reviews for her portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in “Madame Scrooge.” Critics praised her for hitting “amazing notes” and bringing a commanding presence to a role traditionally played by a man.

Hodgdon offers student outreach, masterclasses and Q&A sessions through her touring partnerships, giving young performers meaningful access to guidance, encouragement and real-world insight.

“When our NSU Theatre Dance program was getting on its feet, Stephanie Hodgdon came our way. From the moment we met her, we were captivated by her sweet smile and outgoing personality,” said Professor Emeritus of Theatre Dr. Vicki Parrish. “With a voice that could capture the true nuance of the old songs I had grown up with in the fifties, she impressed us all. As Amalia in ‘She Loves Me,’ her portrayal had the whole audience in the palm of her hand. A genuine talent and a hard-working humble student, Stephanie set the bar high for all students to follow.”

Ortiz, a 2009 graduate of NSU, was the inaugural recipient of the Dave Hardin Jazz Scholarship while an undergraduate. Ortiz earned a Master of Music in Jazz Performance at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 2011.

In 2013, Ortiz enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was selected to serve with The Commandant’s Own, The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps in Washington, D.C. As a featured soloist and arranger, his works were premiered at several events. In 2015, he was selected to represent his unit as a member of the Marine Corps All-Star Jazz Band at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

In 2018, Ortiz was selected to serve as an instructor at the Naval School of Music, where he became head of basic academics. In this role, he led the academic training of more than 300 military musicians, teaching music theory, ear training and jazz improvisation. In 2022, he was selected as the musician technical assistant for the 6th Marine Corps District, overseeing the audition and accession process for prospective United States Marine musicians. During this assignment, he was selected for an appointment as a Marine Corps Band Officer.

After completing the Warrant Officer Basic Course in April, Ortiz assumed duties as the operations officer and assistant director of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band in New Orleans.

“The artistic musical tradition at NSU is better because he was here,” said Associate Professor of Trumpet and Director of the NSU Jazz Orchestra Galindo Rodriguez. “From the onset and his arrival on our musical scene, Carlos was a born leader, a creative personality, and one with tremendous drive for self-improvement. Among his strengths, his organizational abilities were outstanding. Within a year he created his own jazz combo and was seen and heard around Natchitoches and northwest Louisiana. Carlos really established himself in the international scene as member of Pershing’s Own Herald Trumpets in Washington, D. C.”