Press Inquiries - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Press

Inquiries

Robert Baker
Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing
robertbaker@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu

 If you have general questions regarding public relations, image requests, or would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us at communications@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu.

Most of our faculty are available for news media interviews by arrangement. Please contact Russell Kelban, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, for assistance. Our faculty are leaders in their fields and include a boundary-pushing medievalist, a leading scholar of the American musical, jazz legends, masters of traditional world music instruments, a punk scholar, in-demand composers and others who are fostering transformative critical thinking about music and musical practices. Other areas of expertise include:

  • African diaspora, critical race studies, social movements, nationalism, national anthem
  • Rap, hip-hop, jazz, blues, funk, R&B, soul; pop music, rock n roll, Motown
  • East Asia, Korean music
  • Film and TV music
  • Jewish music, Klezmer, Jewish liturgical music
  • Music business, streaming media, technology and entertainment, copyright
  • Music and politics; music, gender, and sexuality
  • Opera studies
  • And more…
Professor Dexter Story on KCRW's Press Play with Madeline Brand
Dexter Story sat for an interview with KCRW’s Madeline Brand on Press Play, talking about the spiritual practice of fasting. Click through to hear the interview.
Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen Receives Faculty Career Developemnt Award to Advance Music Education and Belonging
Dr. Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen, Assistant Professor of Music Education at UCLA, received a Faculty Career Development Award for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. This award is given by the UCLA …
James Bass Appointed as Artistic Director of Miami-based Choir, Seraphic Fire
From South Florida Classical Review: When James K. Bass takes the stage this week for his first concerts as artistic director of Seraphic Fire, the stellar Miami-based chamber choir, it …
UCLA Director of Choral Studies James Bass Leads Seraphic Fire in a Dynamic New Program
From South Florida Classical Review: James K. Bass made an auspicious debut as artistic director of Seraphic Fire on Friday night with “Serenade to Music,” a program of four works …
Michael Beckerman and Michael Schachter on Music and Memory in Terezín
How does a composer reimagine music written in a concentration camp? Dean Michael Beckerman speaks with composer Michael Schachter about Four for Gideon, inspired by folk songs arranged by Gideon Klein …
Global Jazz Studies Celebrates Coltrane's 100th Birthday
It may well be impossible to capture John Coltrane’s full achievement in words. He wasn’t just an outstanding musician. He wasn’t just a gifted composer. He was a kind of …

Press Releases

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Berry Gordy Music Industry Center Expands Public Programming to Shape the Future of Music Industry Education
Dr. Tiffany Naiman, Ph.D. appointed director as center broadens partnerships, career pathways and interdisciplinary initiatives Los Angeles, CA | October 13, 2026 The Berry Gordy Music Industry Center at The UCLA …
Award-Winning Scholar and Musicologist Michael Beckerman Named New Dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Acclaimed higher education scholar and author Michael Beckerman has been named the new dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He will begin his role at UCLA on …
In Part 2 of our interview, Dean Michael Beckerman shares valuable insights on navigating careers, seeking guidance, and the power of kindness and gratitude in shaping a meaningful life. 🎙️✨
#CareerAdvice #Leadership #Kindness #Gratitude #LifeLessons

In Part 2 of our interview, Dean Michael Beckerman shares valuable insights on navigating careers, seeking guidance, and the power of kindness and gratitude in shaping a meaningful life. 🎙️✨
#CareerAdvice #Leadership #Kindness #Gratitude #LifeLessons
...

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Bold new music from the UCLA theory faculty kicks off our 2026-27 Faculty Artist Series, from soulful violin to electronic samples, from classical quintet to improvised duos.   THEORETICALS RETURN!  FREE with RSVP. Reserve your spot today! [link in bio]  📅 Wednesday, October 28
🕓 8 PM Concert 
📍 Schoenberg Hall, UCLA
#thisisuclamusic #newmusic  #composers  REEL Music credit: Dante DeSilva

Bold new music from the UCLA theory faculty kicks off our 2026-27 Faculty Artist Series, from soulful violin to electronic samples, from classical quintet to improvised duos. 

THEORETICALS RETURN!

FREE with RSVP. Reserve your spot today! [link in bio]

📅 Wednesday, October 28
🕓 8 PM Concert 
📍 Schoenberg Hall, UCLA
#thisisuclamusic #newmusic #composers

REEL Music credit: Dante DeSilva
...

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What if studying music isn’t the best way to appreciate it?  Dean Beckerman’s love affair with music began when his parents discovered that parking him in front of the stereo was the easiest way to keep him quiet.  That childhood fascination became a lifelong passion. But Dean raises a provocative question: Do we really need to study music to appreciate it—or is listening enough?  His answer might surprise you.  to see the whole interview, visit our YouTube channel. Link in bio.  #thisisuclamusic #ucla #music #beethoven250

What if studying music isn’t the best way to appreciate it?

Dean Beckerman’s love affair with music began when his parents discovered that parking him in front of the stereo was the easiest way to keep him quiet.

That childhood fascination became a lifelong passion. But Dean raises a provocative question: Do we really need to study music to appreciate it—or is listening enough?

His answer might surprise you.

to see the whole interview, visit our YouTube channel. Link in bio.

#thisisuclamusic #ucla #music #beethoven250
...

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