Music School Staff Honored as Outstanding Academics
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Announces New Distinguished Professors
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is pleased to announce the promotion of two esteemed faculty members to the rank of Distinguished Professor. Ian Krouse, internationally recognized as one of the leading composers of classical guitar music, and Peter Kazaras, a celebrated opera performer, director, and leader of young-artist programs, have joined Vladimir Chernov, Juliana Gondek, and Ray Knapp as current holders of this prestigious title.
Krouse, who holds the Susan G. and Michel D. Covel MD Chair at the school, has made significant contributions to the musical community. His exceptional creativity, gifted teaching, and outstanding service have influenced generations of UCLA students, inspired colleagues, and enriched their musical fields as well as our broader culture. Krouse's works have been performed and recorded by major orchestras, choirs, wind ensembles, chamber groups, and soloists around the world. In April 2015, his Armenian Requiem premiered to great acclaim and was commemorated in a commercial recording on the Naxos label.
As a tenor, Kazaras appeared in many of the world's leading opera houses and sang in lauded premieres of new works by preeminent American composers. He joined UCLA in 2007 and has since directed, supervised, or produced nearly 40 productions at the school. Kazaras is also the director of Opera UCLA, regularly directing for major professional companies, including the Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Los Angeles Opera.
The Distinguished Professor rank is UCLA's highest faculty rank, given to outstanding professors who are pre-eminent authorities in their fields. Krouse and Kazaras join an esteemed group of Distinguished Professors at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, including Kristi Brown-Montesano, Lecturer in Musicology, noted for integrating complex music analytics with a focus on musical humanity and mentoring students to develop their natural strengths and curiosity. Ambroise Aubrun, formerly faculty at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and currently Associate Professor of Violin at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is another distinguished faculty member, known for his wide-ranging repertoire from Bach to contemporary composers, award-winning recordings, and artistic leadership of the Henry J. Bruman Summer Chamber Music Festival at UCLA.
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA, which cultivates young musicians selected nationally and internationally, is another testament to the school's commitment to advanced music education and performance.
For a comprehensive list of Distinguished Professors and their contributions at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, you may need to refer to the official UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music website or their faculty directory, which typically highlights these honors and achievements. The school is honoured to count Krouse among its musical community and looks forward to his continued contributions and leadership.
Krouse's remarkable achievements in composition, teaching, and service demonstrate his dedication to education-and-self-development, fostering personal-growth and learning for countless students. Kazaras, with his extensive operatic career and leadership roles at UCLA, also promotes learning through his involvement in personal-growth and self-development opportunities for students in the field of music.
