Faculty and Alumni Recognized in 2026 Grammy Awards - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Congratulations to faculty and alums of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music who have been been recognized in the 2026 Grammy Awards.

Music alum Alexander Lloyd Blake is the founder and artistic director of Tonality, who had multiple appearances on Carla Patullo’s album Nomadica, which won Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album.

Alexander Lloyd Blake rehearsing at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Oct. 8, 2021. (Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

Jake Heggie‘s opera “Intelligence,” recorded by the Houston Grand Opera, won Best Opera album. Jake Heggie, who has had enormous success with his operas since his debut of Dead Man Walking in 2001, returned to The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music as commencement speaker in 2024.

Heggie (right) holds hands with and looks at his cast member J’Nai Bridges (left). “Intelligence” premiered in October 2023 and became the first album on the Houston Grand Opera’s record label. (Courtesy of Lawrence Elizabeth Knox)

Under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, the Los Angeles Philharmonic earned two Grammy wins—Best Choral Performance and Best Classical Compendium—for Gabriela Ortiz’s Yanga. Congratulations to our faculty and alumni featured on the recording: Boris Allakhverdyan (principal clarinet), Chris Hanulik (principal bass), Ben Hong (associate principal cello), Varty Manouelian (violin), James Miller (associate principal trombone), alumnus David Riccobono (assistant principal timpanist and section percussionist), and alumna KT Somero (LA Phil librarian).