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SUMMER DISPATCH | Malka Lubelski (Ethnomusicology BA `29) writes: For the past 6 weeks, I`ve been at the Round Top Festival Institute, interning in Orchestra/Festival management. I`ve learned so much about music management, sound engineering, scheduling rehearsals, lessons, concerts, and more! I`ve also been a member of the festival orchestra`s violin section, playing works like Tchaikovsky`s Sixth Symphony, Copland`s Appalachian Spring, and Saint-Saën`s Organ Symphony among others. I`ve had a transformative time at this festival, meeting talented musicians from across the world, and taking piano and violin lessons from renowned faculty. I even got to play on a Stradivarius for my first time, see the Houston Symphony live, and rehearse with a jazz ensemble called the Chives, performing with them at a local coffee shop. I’m leaving this festival inspired, grateful, and excited for what’s ahead!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Malka Lubelski (Ethnomusicology BA `29) writes: For the past 6 weeks, I`ve been at the Round Top Festival Institute, interning in Orchestra/Festival management. I`ve learned so much about music management, sound engineering, scheduling rehearsals, lessons, concerts, and more! I`ve also been a member of the festival orchestra`s violin section, playing works like Tchaikovsky`s Sixth Symphony, Copland`s Appalachian Spring, and Saint-Saën`s Organ Symphony among others. I`ve had a transformative time at this festival, meeting talented musicians from across the world, and taking piano and violin lessons from renowned faculty. I even got to play on a Stradivarius for my first time, see the Houston Symphony live, and rehearse with a jazz ensemble called the Chives, performing with them at a local coffee shop. I’m leaving this festival inspired, grateful, and excited for what’s ahead!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Johnathan Ma (Music Education and Piano Performance double major, Music Industry minor, BA&BM `28) writes: This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Nepal and visit different music shops to understand more of Nepalese music influenced by Indian music and religious ties. I had the opportunity to partner with local music shops to play music together, learn the cultural instruments and historical significance. I had the opportunity to learn tabla-like techniques with different cultural instruments. One specific fun thing was I got to learn mandal drum which is a traditional double sided folk instrument of Nepal. Bringing that instrument around and learning from the locals while reciting or singing a song was a core memory.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Johnathan Ma (Music Education and Piano Performance double major, Music Industry minor, BA&BM `28) writes: This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Nepal and visit different music shops to understand more of Nepalese music influenced by Indian music and religious ties. I had the opportunity to partner with local music shops to play music together, learn the cultural instruments and historical significance. I had the opportunity to learn tabla-like techniques with different cultural instruments. One specific fun thing was I got to learn mandal drum which is a traditional double sided folk instrument of Nepal. Bringing that instrument around and learning from the locals while reciting or singing a song was a core memory.
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Theresa Dimond (Percussion Performance) writes: This is the performer`s view from the stage at the Arboretum in Arcadia where I have been performing for the Pasadena Pops all summer. It is, arguably, the best summer venue for both performers and audience. The orchestra plays 5 concerts each summer in this beautiful garden setting.
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Theresa Dimond (Percussion Performance) writes: This is the performer`s view from the stage at the Arboretum in Arcadia where I have been performing for the Pasadena Pops all summer. It is, arguably, the best summer venue for both performers and audience. The orchestra plays 5 concerts each summer in this beautiful garden setting.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Rane Prak (Ethnomusicology BA `29) writes: This summer, my band, Sastra Moon, had so much fun playing Southeast Asian fusion folk and popular music at Tuesday Night Cafe in Little Tokyo, the longest-running Asian American free public arts series in the country. Besides being a vocalist in the band, I also play wot (Thai circular panpipe) and khaen (mouth organ from Laos and Northeastern Thailand), which I learned to perform with Dr. Supeena Adler`s Music of Thailand ensemble. Thank you so much to the staff at Tuesday Night Cafe for taking care of us, especially to Gwendolyn Hill for the beautiful photographs!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Rane Prak (Ethnomusicology BA `29) writes: This summer, my band, Sastra Moon, had so much fun playing Southeast Asian fusion folk and popular music at Tuesday Night Cafe in Little Tokyo, the longest-running Asian American free public arts series in the country. Besides being a vocalist in the band, I also play wot (Thai circular panpipe) and khaen (mouth organ from Laos and Northeastern Thailand), which I learned to perform with Dr. Supeena Adler`s Music of Thailand ensemble. Thank you so much to the staff at Tuesday Night Cafe for taking care of us, especially to Gwendolyn Hill for the beautiful photographs!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Raqib Dar (Ethnomusicology PhD `29) writers: This summer, I am conducting a pilot study for my dissertation research on the Folk musical tradition (Gyawun) in Indian-administered Kashmir. My project examines how people in conflicted regions use Sufi poetry and music to express their sentiments and navigate everyday life.
As a part of this research, I am working closely with local musicians and attending musical and poetic performances (Mehfil), which are generally held at night. In addition to ethnography, I am conducting archival research by collecting poetry collections from both state archives and personal collections.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Raqib Dar (Ethnomusicology PhD `29) writers: This summer, I am conducting a pilot study for my dissertation research on the Folk musical tradition (Gyawun) in Indian-administered Kashmir. My project examines how people in conflicted regions use Sufi poetry and music to express their sentiments and navigate everyday life.
As a part of this research, I am working closely with local musicians and attending musical and poetic performances (Mehfil), which are generally held at night. In addition to ethnography, I am conducting archival research by collecting poetry collections from both state archives and personal collections.
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Theresa Dimond & Greg Goodall (Percussion Performance) writes: The picture shows from left to right, Theresa Dimond, percussion faculty, Peter Boyer, film composer, and Greg Goodall, percussion faculty. This picture was taken on the Sony Sound Stage last week where Greg and Theresa recorded the score for Peter Boyer`s current project, American Mosaic, a bold new film that celebrates the people, places, and spirit of the United States on the occasion of its 250th birthday. Created by composer Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm, the project blends sweeping orchestral music, a narration by Martin Sheen, and vivid 4K video drawn from all 50 states. The film will be released to the public soon!
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Theresa Dimond & Greg Goodall (Percussion Performance) writes: The picture shows from left to right, Theresa Dimond, percussion faculty, Peter Boyer, film composer, and Greg Goodall, percussion faculty. This picture was taken on the Sony Sound Stage last week where Greg and Theresa recorded the score for Peter Boyer`s current project, American Mosaic, a bold new film that celebrates the people, places, and spirit of the United States on the occasion of its 250th birthday. Created by composer Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm, the project blends sweeping orchestral music, a narration by Martin Sheen, and vivid 4K video drawn from all 50 states. The film will be released to the public soon!
SUMMER DISPATCH | Brian Molina (Harp Performance BM `28) writes: Earlier this summer, I was thrilled to play in the FOOSA Philharmonic at FOOSA (Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy) 2026! We had a full two weeks of rehearsals at Fresno State, ending in concerts at Disney Hall (LA) and Shaghoian Hall (Fresno) led by Artistic Director Dr. Thomas Loewenheim. Outside of the orchestra, I had many opportunities to watch and perform solo and chamber literature.
Here are some photos of my time on stage and in rehearsal. We had a strong harp section—5 of us!—led by Laura Porter, principal harpist of the Fresno Philharmonic. I had a great time meeting fellow harpists, growing as a performer, and connecting with friends old and new in the orchestra.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Brian Molina (Harp Performance BM `28) writes: Earlier this summer, I was thrilled to play in the FOOSA Philharmonic at FOOSA (Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy) 2026! We had a full two weeks of rehearsals at Fresno State, ending in concerts at Disney Hall (LA) and Shaghoian Hall (Fresno) led by Artistic Director Dr. Thomas Loewenheim. Outside of the orchestra, I had many opportunities to watch and perform solo and chamber literature.
Here are some photos of my time on stage and in rehearsal. We had a strong harp section—5 of us!—led by Laura Porter, principal harpist of the Fresno Philharmonic. I had a great time meeting fellow harpists, growing as a performer, and connecting with friends old and new in the orchestra.
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Dr. Dee (Director, African American Ensemble) writes: At home composing for an upcoming festival. Can’t show what I’m working on but it’s a sacred piece for SAB & piano. Crunch time!
SUMMER FACULTY DISPATCH | Dr. Dee (Director, African American Ensemble) writes: At home composing for an upcoming festival. Can’t show what I’m working on but it’s a sacred piece for SAB & piano. Crunch time!
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