UCF Wind Ensemble releases new recording inspired by Greek mythology
October 23, 2018 The UCF Wind Ensemble has a new recording available featuring a piece inspired by Greek mythology. The “Zodiac Concerto” for solo horn, solo euphonium and wind ensemble by Anthony DiLorenzo brought together UCF students and faculty with professional musicians from around the country for this special collaboration. The 3-movement piece...
From Atlanta to New York, Theatre alumna makes her Broadway debut in new musical The Prom
October 23, 2018 The annual springtime tradition of prom is already a big deal – a crucial over-the-top social milestone for most high school students. Some students fuss over cummerbund choices, others fret about dinner plans – and some worry if their choice of a date will be met with acceptance, or conflict....
Jazz Professors to bring “cool” to UCF
October 15, 2018 By Tanesha Bridenback “Swingin’. Cookin’. Ground Breaking.” Three words that Jeff Rupert, director of jazz studies, uses to describe Miles Davis’ album “The Birth of the Cool.” Originally produced in 1949, the album features a nine-piece band, that includes traditionally classical instruments like the French horn and tuba. However, what...
Hot Mikado updates classic operetta with jazz and anime-inspired design
October 04, 2018 Theatre UCF’s production of Hot Mikado brings a unique design concept to the show and to the company: Japanese anime. Based on The Mikado, a comedic 1880s operetta which follows young lovers living in a fictional Japanese town where acts as small as flirting are a capital crime, Hot Mikado...
UCF Professor Celebrates Fashion Icon Harriett Lake in New Book
September 25, 2018 Although Harriett Lake couldn’t explain her devotion to clothes, something led the Orlando fashion icon and philanthropist to spend her life collecting the most unique and eye-catching outfits and accessories. A new book titled “Too Much is Not Enough: The History in Harriett’s Closet” by Kristina Tollefson, a costume designer...
¡Unidad! Together We Serve!
September 14, 2018 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the College of Arts and Humanities – activities and initiatives across disciplines
Behind-the-Scenes of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
August 31, 2018 BY JENNA MARINA LEE | AUGUST 31, 2018 When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released on bookshelves in the United States on Sept. 1, 1998, Andrew Carnero ’15 was 5 years old. And while he remembers peering over his older brother’s shoulder to see what he was reading, the UCF theatre major could hardly have predicted...
Casting Call: See What Our Theatre UCF Alumni Have Been Up To!
August 30, 2018 Eric Ulloa ’06BFA (musical theatre) will be playing Jud in Theatre Under the Stars’ production of Oklahoma! with Tony Award winner Priscilla Lopez. Ulloa is the author of 26 Pebbles, which had its world premiere at The Human Race Theatre Company. The play was featured in American Theatre Magazine and The...
Q&A with Music alumnus Alexander Bornstein
August 07, 2018 UCF alumnus Alexander Bornstein ’09 is an award-winning composer currently based in Los Angeles. His music has been heard on television, independent films, feature films, web series, documentaries and concert halls around the U.S. Alexander has also been at the forefront of new multimedia platforms, composing music for one of...
UCF Piano Graduate ‘17 Corin Staves Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Munich, Germany
August 06, 2018 Congratulations to Corin Staves ’17, an alumnus of the Bachelor’s of Music in music performance and the Piano Studio, on being named a 2018-19 Fulbright Scholar and awarded a scholarship to participate in international exchange programs in Munich, Germany! Staves is drawn to Munich because of its vibrant music community...
Piano Professor Hosts Guests from China for an “East meets West” Summer Piano Program on UCF Campus
July 11, 2018 This year’s All-Steinway Summer Piano Progam held this June at the School of Performing Arts brought a special collaboration between two groups of pianists; young pianists from the age of 12-17 from Florida and professional piano teachers from China. These nine young piano teachers came from five different cities in...
Opera UCF students praised by Denyce Graves
June 15, 2018 Five opera students had the opportunity to participate in a private master class with Denyce Graves in front of a small audience at Snap! Space on June 10. “The morning consisted of a Q&A with [opera star Denyce] Graves, followed by arias from five of the students with the Washington...
'Human Error' Prepares Students to be Voice of New Generation in Theatre
June 14, 2018 UCF School of Performing Arts presents Human Error, a new play that runs June 14-24 and Aug. 23-26 on the UCF Main Stage. The production is part of Pegasus PlayLab, a summer theatre festival dedicated to developing plays by emerging playwrights. Human Error gives students and faculty the opportunity to create a fully mounted production...
New Summer Festival Dedicated to Emerging Playwrights
May 23, 2018 Pegasus PlayLab provides opportunities for students and audience members to watch experimental new works by the next generation of playwrights. UCF is launching Pegasus PlayLab, a new summer theatre festival dedicated to developing new plays by emerging playwrights. The festival, which runs June 2-24 and Aug. 23-25 on the UCF...
UCF welcomes Yoon Joo Hwang as new bassoon professor
May 23, 2018 The School of Performing Arts is proud to welcome to the faculty Dr. Yoon Joo Hwang, Assistant Professor of Bassoon. Recently, Dr. Hwang held teaching positions at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Pasadena Conservatory of Music, and Idyllwild Summer Arts Academy in California. In addition, she has taught several...
UCF flute faculty member Nora Lee García recitalist at Carnegie Hall
May 08, 2018 On April 28, 2018, UCF flute faculty member Dr. Nora Lee García played at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York. The concert, called “All that Jazz,” culminates the 5th Season of the InterHarmony Concert Series at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Garcia played music from Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos the...
2018-2019 Theatre UCF season explores fantasy, adventure
May 03, 2018 Beginning with the inaugural Pegasus PlayLab summer workshops, taking a turn to an underground anime club and Dungeons & Dragons, and ending with the classic Titanic for UCF Celebrates the Arts 2019, Theatre UCF’s next season has something for everyone. Theatre UCF, part of the UCF School of Performing Arts,...
How a Song Provided Comfort after Hurricane Maria
May 03, 2018 Arleen Ramirez doesn’t think the word “busy” applies to her. But just try to keep up. Ramirez is a family-first wife and mother of four, ranging in age from 3 to 19. She is a studio artist at Opera Orlando, mentors aspiring musical artists on Skype, and writes and performs...
UCF Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band play with acclaimed musicians at UCF Celebrates the Arts 2018
March 28, 2018 On April 9 at 7:30 P.M., the UCF Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will perform together in the Walt Disney Theater as part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2018. Each band will play their own assortment of compositions, many of which feature or pay tribute to renowned composers and musicians....
UCF welcomes David Bjella as new Cello Professor
March 20, 2018 The Music Department is thrilled to announce that David Bjella will be joining the faculty as Professor of Cello this fall. Bjella was previously Professor of Cello at Stetson University for more than 20 years. A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, cellist David Bjella has an extensive, multi-faceted career as...