Updates from Students, Educators, and Graduates During the Summer Months, 2024 Version
UCLA's music department and its students have been making waves in the global music scene this summer. From the bustling Naadam Festival in Mongolia to the historic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, UCLA's musical talent has been on display.
Cassandra Carraher, a music industry student due to graduate in 2026, interviewed Mongolian musicians about traditional music at the Naadam Festival in Hustai National Park, Mongolia. Her passion for music and cultural exploration was evident as she delved into the rich history of Mongolian music.
Meanwhile, back in the United States, the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, featuring UCLA students Jackson Bacon, Diego Vogel, Aud Sherrill, and Kobe Sanders, clinched another victory at the Drum Corps International (DCI) competition in Indianapolis. The Blue Devils, renowned for their exceptional performances, have now won a total of 21 championships.
Across the Atlantic, Christoph Bull, an organ professor at UCLA, gave an organ concert in Mannheim, Germany on July 20, 2024. The organs used in the concert were built by Orgelbau Stuetzle and Orgelbau Vier, two renowned organ builders.
Lily Chen-Hafteck, a professor of music education at UCLA, attended two International Society for Music Education (ISME) conferences in July and August. These conferences, held in Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland, provided a platform for educators and researchers to discuss and share their insights on various aspects of music education.
Neal Stulberg, director of orchestral studies at UCLA, conducted concerts with the orchestra of the Buchmann Mehta School of Music in Israel. The performances were at a fully professional level and consisted entirely of American music.
In a different part of the world, Mohsen Mohammadi, the director of Indo-Persian music at UCLA, served on an international jury for the Second International Forum of Maqom Art in Zaamin district, Jizzakh region, Uzbekistan.
Back on home soil, UCLA's Centre for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) continued to promote contemporary performing arts, including music and dance. Andres Lopez, a participant in UCLA's 2024 Summer Courses, performed a celebratory concert at the end of finals week, showcasing the musical talents of individuals involved in UCLA's summer programs.
The UCLA Hip Hop/Street Dance Summer Institute, a seven-day program targeting high school students passionate about hip-hop and street dance, also took place, further highlighting UCLA's engagement with dance-related programs.
In a remarkable achievement, Habin Kim, an incoming graduate student in opera and voice performance, made her professional debut with Long Beach Opera this July. Shyheim Selvan Hinnant premiered the role of Clarence in Damien Geter's world premiere of American Apollo and covered the First Nazarene in Strauss' Salome. Emma Breen, another UCLA student, played at the Hollywood Bowl for the first time this summer as part of the BarbieLand Sinfonietta.
While detailed summaries of specific student, faculty, and alumni accomplishments are limited in the available search results, it is clear that UCLA's music department and its students have been making significant contributions to the world of music this summer. From traditional Mongolian music to American music, and from hip-hop to opera, UCLA's musical landscape has been vibrant and diverse.
All these accomplishments highlight the versatile and global influence of UCLA's music scene. From Cassandra Carraher's exploration of Mongolian music at the Naadam Festival, to Lily Chen-Hafteck's participation in music education conferences in Europe, and Emma Breen's debut at the Hollywood Bowl, there's a passionate pursuit for travel, education, self-development, entertainment, and music.
