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SUMMER DISPATCH | Yaron Cherniak (Ethnomusicology PhD `29) writes: As part of my fieldwork for my UCLA dissertation on Masorti identity and Piyyutim in Israeli society, I had the honor to perform alongside @hind_ennaira and the @piyutensemble. Hind Ennaira, from Essaouira, is a profound Gnawa vocalist and master of the gimbri — the sacred bass instrument at the heart of Moroccan Gnawa music, an ecstatic tradition of spiritual trance and prayer rooted in the Muslim and Amazigh tribes of North Africa. At the Tatzrif Music Festival at Yad Ben-Zvi, no one could remain indifferent to the polyrhythms escalating across the songs, the colorful ceremonial djellabas and tasseled caps, the dancing, and the merging of Gnawa chants with Hebrew piyyutim of the Abeḥsera family from Tafilalt. Performing from the inside — not just observing — is exactly why this kind of fieldwork matters.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Yaron Cherniak (Ethnomusicology PhD `29) writes: As part of my fieldwork for my UCLA dissertation on Masorti identity and Piyyutim in Israeli society, I had the honor to perform alongside @hind_ennaira and the @piyutensemble. Hind Ennaira, from Essaouira, is a profound Gnawa vocalist and master of the gimbri — the sacred bass instrument at the heart of Moroccan Gnawa music, an ecstatic tradition of spiritual trance and prayer rooted in the Muslim and Amazigh tribes of North Africa. At the Tatzrif Music Festival at Yad Ben-Zvi, no one could remain indifferent to the polyrhythms escalating across the songs, the colorful ceremonial djellabas and tasseled caps, the dancing, and the merging of Gnawa chants with Hebrew piyyutim of the Abeḥsera family from Tafilalt. Performing from the inside — not just observing — is exactly why this kind of fieldwork matters.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Madison Bottenberg (Percussion Performance MM ‘26) writes: This summer, Julie Xiang, Demitrius Alleyne, and I joined la.fci for the studio intensive at Sony Picture Studios. I had the chance to work with and hear from industry professionals, like MB Gordy and Angel Velez, about the expectations of the studio world and what it takes to be a studio musician. We also acquired hands on experience on the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage where we recorded famous film scores like the Polar Express, Main Title of Star Wars, and Married Life from Up.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Madison Bottenberg (Percussion Performance MM ‘26) writes: This summer, Julie Xiang, Demitrius Alleyne, and I joined la.fci for the studio intensive at Sony Picture Studios. I had the chance to work with and hear from industry professionals, like MB Gordy and Angel Velez, about the expectations of the studio world and what it takes to be a studio musician. We also acquired hands on experience on the Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage where we recorded famous film scores like the Polar Express, Main Title of Star Wars, and Married Life from Up.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Rane Prak (Ethnomusicology PhD `29) writes: I attended a queer folk music jam session with my band members from Sastra Moon. At this session, we taught a Thai folk song that we learned in Dr. Supeena Adler`s Music of Thailand ensemble class at UCLA called Bai Sri Su Kwan, which means "Calling Back the Soul" and is performed as part of a traditional Thai-Lao blessing ritual for weddings, New Year, and homecomings. The ceremony summons the 32 vital life spirits (kwan) back to heal the person from illness or protect them from bad luck. Thank you to my friend, Sara, for taking the group picture!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Rane Prak (Ethnomusicology PhD `29) writes: I attended a queer folk music jam session with my band members from Sastra Moon. At this session, we taught a Thai folk song that we learned in Dr. Supeena Adler`s Music of Thailand ensemble class at UCLA called Bai Sri Su Kwan, which means "Calling Back the Soul" and is performed as part of a traditional Thai-Lao blessing ritual for weddings, New Year, and homecomings. The ceremony summons the 32 vital life spirits (kwan) back to heal the person from illness or protect them from bad luck. Thank you to my friend, Sara, for taking the group picture!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Julie Xiang (Percussion Performance BA `28) writes: I got to play Timpani 2 on Alpine Symphony at a summer music festival and also played my first solo marimba performance at the festival’s student showcase.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Julie Xiang (Percussion Performance BA `28) writes: I got to play Timpani 2 on Alpine Symphony at a summer music festival and also played my first solo marimba performance at the festival’s student showcase.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Haiden Chase (Trombone Performance BM `29) writes: These photos were taken during the 10-day LA Brass Institute at Colburn. Elias, Bishop, and I were in the same brass quintet, and we performed Four Sketches by Anthony Plog together. It was a really fun experience getting to rehearse, perform, improve as a group, and of course eat some great food together throughout the institute.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Haiden Chase (Trombone Performance BM `29) writes: These photos were taken during the 10-day LA Brass Institute at Colburn. Elias, Bishop, and I were in the same brass quintet, and we performed Four Sketches by Anthony Plog together. It was a really fun experience getting to rehearse, perform, improve as a group, and of course eat some great food together throughout the institute.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Olivia Phaneuf (Saxophone Performance DMA `27) writes: This July, I attended the Université Européenne de Saxophone (UES) in Gap, France. During this two-week program, I studied with renowned saxophone professors from around the world through lessons, masterclasses, and performances. I also participated in the Challenge Gap, where I received feedback from both faculty and peers and had the opportunity to perform with phenomenal collaborative pianists. In addition, I performed as part of a saxophone nonet throughout the Hautes-Alpes region, bringing classical saxophone music to several rural French villages. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, perform, and connect with saxophonists from around the world.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Olivia Phaneuf (Saxophone Performance DMA `27) writes: This July, I attended the Université Européenne de Saxophone (UES) in Gap, France. During this two-week program, I studied with renowned saxophone professors from around the world through lessons, masterclasses, and performances. I also participated in the Challenge Gap, where I received feedback from both faculty and peers and had the opportunity to perform with phenomenal collaborative pianists. In addition, I performed as part of a saxophone nonet throughout the Hautes-Alpes region, bringing classical saxophone music to several rural French villages. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, perform, and connect with saxophonists from around the world.
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Greg Goodall (Percussion Performance) writes: On stage at the iconic Hollywood Bowl for a performance of the score to How to Train Your Dragon, which was written by two-time Oscar-nominated composer John Powell. The score was played along with the film, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra was conducted by David Newman, also an Oscar-nominated composer.
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Greg Goodall (Percussion Performance) writes: On stage at the iconic Hollywood Bowl for a performance of the score to How to Train Your Dragon, which was written by two-time Oscar-nominated composer John Powell. The score was played along with the film, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra was conducted by David Newman, also an Oscar-nominated composer.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Alexa Clawson (Percussion Performance MM ‘27) writes: This summer I had the opportunity to join @icyola_ for their “I too sing, America” tour to Mount Rushmore, Washington DC, and New York City. We played many pieces, including Lincoln Portrait, Danzon No. 2, and Afrospire by @bakhari.nokuri
I had a great time during this tour and was very excited to be part of the first orchestra to play in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Alexa Clawson (Percussion Performance MM ‘27) writes: This summer I had the opportunity to join @icyola_ for their “I too sing, America” tour to Mount Rushmore, Washington DC, and New York City. We played many pieces, including Lincoln Portrait, Danzon No. 2, and Afrospire by @bakhari.nokuri
I had a great time during this tour and was very excited to be part of the first orchestra to play in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC!
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