SUMMER DISPATCH | Julie Xiang (Percussion Performance BA `28) writes: I got to play Timpani 2 on Alpine Symphony at a summer music festival and also played my first solo marimba performance at the festival’s student showcase. ...

SUMMER DISPATCH | Haiden Chase (Trombone Performance BM `29) writes: These photos were taken during the 10-day LA Brass Institute at Colburn. Elias, Bishop, and I were in the same brass quintet, and we performed Four Sketches by Anthony Plog together. It was a really fun experience getting to rehearse, perform, improve as a group, and of course eat some great food together throughout the institute. ...

SUMMER DISPATCH | Olivia Phaneuf (Saxophone Performance DMA `27) writes: This July, I attended the Université Européenne de Saxophone (UES) in Gap, France. During this two-week program, I studied with renowned saxophone professors from around the world through lessons, masterclasses, and performances. I also participated in the Challenge Gap, where I received feedback from both faculty and peers and had the opportunity to perform with phenomenal collaborative pianists. In addition, I performed as part of a saxophone nonet throughout the Hautes-Alpes region, bringing classical saxophone music to several rural French villages. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, perform, and connect with saxophonists from around the world. ...

SUMMER DISPATCH | Alexa Clawson (Percussion Performance MM ‘27) writes: This summer I had the opportunity to join @icyola_ for their “I too sing, America” tour to Mount Rushmore, Washington DC, and New York City. We played many pieces, including Lincoln Portrait, Danzon No. 2, and Afrospire by @bakhari.nokuri
I had a great time during this tour and was very excited to be part of the first orchestra to play in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC! ...

SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Inna Faliks (Piano Performance) writes: I just landed in NYC where I am about to perform at Piano Rites Festival and Bargemusic. Prior to this, I spent two months performing, recording and teaching in Europe: most recently in Altdorf, Switzerland at Borromeo Chamber Music Festival. Prior to that, I was making a recording at the historic Domovina studios in Prague, Czech. We recorded music, including a world premiere by Janacek and Martinu, with the renowned Czech violinist Pavel Sporcl, for the Pentatone label. We then performed the program in the Znojmo International Festival, where I also played solo - my Czech debut! Prague has my heart forever.
Before that, I was at the Chigiana festival, with a few of our students. Concerts, both solo and chamber, beautiful student concerts, amazing art, masterclasses and a group of musicians from all over the world in Tuscany - what can be better. I was really proud of our two UCLA students - incoming MM Andrew Altrock and our own rising senior undergrad Isabelle Ragsac, who very much held their own in a world class pianist collective.
Before NYC, I had a chance to get a little sun and sea with my family in Greece.
A few weeks ago, my new CD Stranger Things, Piano Music from a Refugees Backpack, came out on Parma, with my own music, as well as Schoenberg`s opus 11, Brahms f minor Sonata and Wagner Elegy. It is a very personal disc. Great reviews are starting to come in!
My CD of Richard Danielpour`s Music for Supertrain Records has also been out since a few weeks ago.
Photos are with our Alisa Gukasian at Borromeo, hiking with other artists in Borromeo, St Stefan in Vienna, with Pavel at Smetana hall in Prague, with the recording team in Prague, in the Estate Theater where Mozart conducted Don Giovanni in Prague, in Siena after student concerts and after my concert. ...

This summer, emerging vocalists came together at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for a week of intensive training, collaboration, and performance—working closely with accomplished artists and industry professionals.
Led by our voice faculty (and with thanks to Professor Juliana Gondek for the photos!), the Voice Intensive gave high school students the chance to sharpen their technique, explore their artistry, and find their voices alongside other aspiring musicians.
These are a few snapshots from our Summer Intensives, which also offer programs in global jazz, music industry, music production, and songwriting. ...