The Bachelor of Music in Music Performance combines intensive applied study of Western classical music with the superb academics of a major research university situated in a global cultural capital. Students in the performance concentration study individually with world-class performers and teachers, participate fully in a range of large and small ensembles, and pursue rigorous coursework in music theory, history, and analysis. Across the major, frequent performance opportunities, open to students regardless of class standing, ensure that each student gains extensive experience in a wide variety of performance contexts. The small, collaborative nature of the program guarantees students tailored individual attention from faculty throughout the Music Department.

Music Performance Faculty

Boris Allakhverdyan
Lecturer - Clarinet Performance, Principal Clarinet LA Philharmonic
Ji Young An
Lecturer - Violin Performance
Jan Berry Baker
Professor - Saxophone, Head of Woodwinds, Vice Chair of the Department of Music, Special Assistant to the Dean for Faculty Mentoring
James Bass
Professor and Chair of the Department of Music, Director of Choral Studies
John Buffett
Lecturer--Choral Studies, Voice
Christoph Bull
Adjunct Professor - Organ Performance
Wendy Caldwell
Lecturer - Vocal Coaching
Noel Cano Hearn
Lecturer - Alexander Technique and Music Education
Che-Yen Chen
Professor - Viola Performance
Gloria Cheng
Adjunct Professor - Contemporary Music, Performance Studies
Vladimir Chernov
Distinguished Professor - Voice Performance
Travis J. Cross
Professor - Conducting, Director of Bands
James Darrah
Professor - Director of Opera UCLA
Jonathan Davis
Lecturer - Oboe Performance
Michael Dean
Professor - Voice Performance
Theresa Dimond
Lecturer - Percussion Performance
Inna Faliks
Professor - Head of Piano Performance
Cheryl Lin Fielding
Lecturer - Vocal Diction and Vocal Coaching
Aubrey Foard
Lecturer - Tuba Performance
Juliana Gondek
Distinguished Professor - Voice Performance
Gregory Goodall
Lecturer - Percussion Performance
Rakefet Hak
Continuing Lecturer - Opera UCLA
Chris Hanulik
Adjunct Professor - String Bass Performance; Principal Bass LA Phil
Ben Hong
Lecturer - Cello Performance
David Kaplan
Inaugural Shapiro Family Chair in Piano Performance
William Kinderman
Distinguished Professor and Elaine Krown Klein Chair in Performance Studies
Victoria Kirsch
Lecturer - Vocal Coaching
Sarah Koo Freeman
Visiting Professor - Cello Performance
James Lent
Lecturer - Collaborative Piano
Jens Lindemann
Distinguished Professor - Trumpet Performance
Iris Malkin
Lecturer - Vocal Coaching
Varty Manouelian
Lecturer - Violin Performance, Violin LA Philharmonic
James Miller
Lecturer - Trombone Performance, Associate Principal Trombone LA Phil
Lou Anne Neill
Lecturer - Harp Performance, Harp LA Philharmonic
Movses Pogossian
Distinguished Professor of Violin; Founder and Advisor, Armenian Music Program - Music Performance
Joshua Ranz
Lecturer - Clarinet Performance
Amy Sanchez
Lecturer - Horn Performance
Benjamin Smolen
Lecturer - Flute Performance
John Steinmetz
Lecturer - Bassoon Performance
Lucy Yates
Lecturer - Vocal Diction and Vocal Coaching
The Sinatra Piano Finds a New Home at UCLA
On Wednesday, December 4, four skilled piano movers wheeled a nine-foot Model 275, 92-key Bösendorfer grand piano into the recording studio at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. The
Serenade with a Dandelion Named a Top Classical Album in 2024
Long-running and influential online magazine Textura has just released its top 20 lists for classical and jazz recordings of 2024. Coming in at number three on the list for quartet, ensemble or
David Kaplan's Solo Album Named a Top Classical Recording of 2024
Long-running and influential online magazine Textura has just released its top 20 lists for classical and jazz recordings of 2024. Coming in at number seven on the list of instrumental solo classical albums is David Kaplan, assistant professor of piano performance, with New Dances of the League of David.
Jan 23 Thu
6:00pm
Free
classical, contemporary, masterclasses
David L. Abell Piano Masters Series featuring Orli Shaham
Join the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music as we welcome pianist Orli Shaham for the first installment of our 2024/25 David L. Abell Piano Master Series, a concert series
Lani Hall
Feb 2 Sun
4:00pm
Free
classical, contemporary
20th Annual UCLA Philharmonia All-Star Concert
Each year, the All-Star competition provides Music Department students with the opportunity to audition for the privilege of performing as soloists with the UCLA Philharmonia, the school’s flagship orchestra. Join
Schoenberg Hall
Feb 9 Sun
4:00pm
Free
classical, contemporary
Winter Wind Ensemble Concert
Join the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for the first Wind Ensemble concert of the Winter quarter.   The UCLA Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at the
Schoenberg Hall

Explore Other Degrees

Conducting
Graduate study and training in choral, orchestral, or wind conducting
Ethnomusicology
The study of global musical traditions through performance training, research, and field work
Global Jazz Studies
Jazz performance and musicianship courses are paired with African American Studies
Music Composition
Mentorship in the creation and realization of music for concerts, opera, and visual media
Music Education
Preparation for music educators leading to a BA and teaching credential in just four years
Music Industry
A leadership-focused professional degree which prepares students to transform the creative, entrepreneurial, and executive structures of the music industry
Musicology
The scholarly study of the histories, cultures, and critical interpretations of music and music-making
Music Performance
Study and training towards professional performance careers in Western classical music