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…
Cellist Ben Hong Joins Faculty
Ben Hong, associate principal cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has joined the faculty as professor of cello performance.
Jazz Without Borders: Salim Washington on Cultural Exchange with Cuba
Salim Washington, professor and chair of global jazz studies, is working to expand opportunities for students to experience the truly global nature of jazz.
Cheryl Keyes on the Blockbuster "Sinners"
Professor Cheryl Keyes talks about the importance of the Delta blues in the horror film, which has been nominated for 16 Oscars
African American Music Ensemble to Play at Olivet Lutheran Church
The program will include a tribute to the late Richard Smallwood, the renowned gospel composer, vocalist, and pianist, who passed away on Dec. 30, 2025, with performances of several of
Alum Erik Madrid Mixes Music Career with Lecturing
GRAMMY-Nominated engineer Erik Madrid teaches in the music industry program at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He brings with him 15 years of industry experience.
Four Faculty Receive Chancellor's Arts Initiative Grants
The Chancellor’s Council on the Arts, in partnership with the Office of Research and Creative Activities, has announced fourteen faculty-led projects that will receive seed funding this year. Four of

Press Releases

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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
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Receives Gift from Mike Curb Foundation for State-of-the-Art Student Recording Facility and More
Through a special pledge by Mike Curb, California’s former lieutenant and acting governor, and music industry veteran, The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music will begin construction on a new
Join 200+ Bruins on the iconic Royce Hall stage for Handel’s powerful oratorio Israel in Egypt.  Premiered in 1739, this dramatic work brings the story of the Exodus to life with soaring choral writing and vivid depictions of the Ten Plagues. Featuring UCLA voice soloists, Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Philharmonia.  📅 March 15 • 2:00 PM
📍 Royce Hall, UCLA
Link in bio

Join 200+ Bruins on the iconic Royce Hall stage for Handel’s powerful oratorio Israel in Egypt.

Premiered in 1739, this dramatic work brings the story of the Exodus to life with soaring choral writing and vivid depictions of the Ten Plagues. Featuring UCLA voice soloists, Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Philharmonia.

📅 March 15 • 2:00 PM
📍 Royce Hall, UCLA
Link in bio
...

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Love gospel music? Dr. Diane White-Clayton (Dr. Dee) breaks down the unexpected connections between gospel music giant ROBERT SMALLWOOD and Russian composer SERGEI RACHMANINOFF.  And if you REALLY love gospel music, The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s African American Music Ensemble (under Dr. Dee’s direction) will perform this Sunday. Join us for a powerful afternoon of music!  🗓️Sunday, March 8
⏰3:00 p.m.
📍Olivet Lutheran Church
2506 W. Imperial Hwy.
Hawthorne, CA

Love gospel music? Dr. Diane White-Clayton (Dr. Dee) breaks down the unexpected connections between gospel music giant ROBERT SMALLWOOD and Russian composer SERGEI RACHMANINOFF.

And if you REALLY love gospel music, The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s African American Music Ensemble (under Dr. Dee’s direction) will perform this Sunday. Join us for a powerful afternoon of music!

🗓️Sunday, March 8
⏰3:00 p.m.
📍Olivet Lutheran Church
2506 W. Imperial Hwy.
Hawthorne, CA
...

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Happy Holidays from Michael Beckerman, Dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music! Enjoy this festive performance of “Oh Hanukkah,” composed by Mordkhe Rivesman, and may the season bring you peace, joy and light.  #ThisisUCLAmusic #UCLA #Music #HappyHolidays

Happy Holidays from Michael Beckerman, Dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music! Enjoy this festive performance of “Oh Hanukkah,” composed by Mordkhe Rivesman, and may the season bring you peace, joy and light.

#ThisisUCLAmusic #UCLA #Music #HappyHolidays
...

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GOOD NEWS, Go Tell It! The African American Music Ensemble of the Department of Ethnomusicology at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music wishes you the very best this holiday season.  “Go Tell It” by John Wesley Work, Jr., arranged by Diane White-Clayton, director of the ensemble.  soloists - Alexis Richmond, Michael Torres
piano - Diane White-Clayton
bass guitar - Dawson Lau
percussion - Dax Corcoran  #thisisuclamusic #ucla #music #happyholidays

GOOD NEWS, Go Tell It! The African American Music Ensemble of the Department of Ethnomusicology at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music wishes you the very best this holiday season.

“Go Tell It” by John Wesley Work, Jr., arranged by Diane White-Clayton, director of the ensemble.

soloists - Alexis Richmond, Michael Torres
piano - Diane White-Clayton
bass guitar - Dawson Lau
percussion - Dax Corcoran

#thisisuclamusic #ucla #music #happyholidays
...

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