Strings - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Our purpose is to transform the string student into an independent young colleague. Our strength lies in our unique holistic pedagogical approach and the multitude of diverse learning and performance opportunities available to them. We seek for each student to explore the power of musical communication and to help them acquire the tools to express themselves at their highest potential. The String Area’s strength is in its dedication to communication through the art of mastering the instrument to the best of one’s ability – as a philosophy, and compass that everyone can benefit from. Whether by virtue of in-depth studio lessons and classes, or performing opportunities, experimentation and research, students learn how to focus, contemplate, share, lead, follow, and ultimately equip themselves with the tools to express themselves confidently.

Strings Faculty

Ji Young An
Continuing Lecturer - Violin Performance
Regina Carter-Garnett
Professor - Music Performance and Global Jazz Studies
Che-Yen Chen
Professor - Viola Performance
Chris Hanulik
Adjunct Professor - String Bass Performance; Principal Bass LA Phil
Ben Hong
Professor - Cello Performance
Ela Kodžas
VEM Ensemble, Violin
Varty Manouelian
Continuing Lecturer - Violin Performance, Violin LA Philharmonic
Lou Anne Neill
Continuing Lecturer - Harp Performance, Harp LA Philharmonic
Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Sir John Eliot Gardiner

“One of the most memorable musical student/teacher interactions I have ever witnessed occurred during a concert I attended in Tuscany last summer near Montepulciano. A group of exceptionally gifted young students from the UCLA string department performed an array of classical and contemporary works together with their distinguished professors – Movses Pogossian, Guillaume Sutre, and Antonio Lysy. The results were breathtaking and brilliant.”

Oct 29 Thu
8:00pm
Free
classical
UCLA Philharmonia: The "Don Quixote" Experience
Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams — this may be madness. Too much sanity may be madness — and maddest of all: to see life as
Schoenberg Hall Learn More
Nov 7 Sat
6:00pm
Free
chamber-music, contemporary
INTERPLAY: Radu Valcu Quintet (RVQ) feat. The UCLA Guitar Ensemble
The UCLA Guitar Ensemble presents the culmination of its Improvisation Workshop with the Radu Valcu Quintet, featuring chamber and ensemble performances by UCLA guitar students, alumni, and guests. Directed by
Lani Hall Learn More
Nov 19 Thu
8:00pm
Free
chamber-music, classical
Faculty Artist Series - Histoire du Soldat
Join the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for an evening in historic Schoenberg Hall featuring Dr. Travis Cross, Jens Lindemann, and other world-class faculty in a performance of Stravinsky’s
Schoenberg Hall Learn More
Violin Performance Alumna Engages Community
From The Armenian Mirror-Spectator: Ani Sinanyan (2022), currently touring internationally as a solo violinist for the Piano Rhapsody concert series, took time from her schedule to perform at a public
Cellist Ben Hong Joins Faculty
Ben Hong, associate principal cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has joined the faculty as professor of cello performance.
Alumnus Christian Gonzales Profiled
Christian Gonzales (BM 2022) went on to Juilliard and is launching his performance and educational career in California. Read the profile by CanvasRebel.

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