Rupert to perform at Midwest Clinic
November 22, 2011 Jeff Rupert has been invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra conference, on December 15 in Chicago. Performing with the Downers Grove South High School Jazz Band, Rupert will be a featured soloist along with Rowan University’s Dennis DiBlasio. Both Rupert and DiBlasio toured with...
Percussion students join NYC music festival
October 28, 2011 On the longest day of the year, public spaces across the five buroughs of New York City erupt with sound during the Make Music New York festival—and UCF’s percussionists were there to join in on the celebration. The festival is an innovative approach to making music—it’s a free celebration of...
Students take behind-the-scenes lead in Pajama Game
October 28, 2011 The University of Central Florida’s production of The Pajama Game won’t just be a showcase for actors. The classic musical also will be a creative channel for fine arts students who are taking the lead on many of the behind-the-scenes elements, from the costumes and choreography to the set design...
Theatre UCF Alumnus Michael Marinaccio Appointed Producer of Orlando Fringe Festival
October 28, 2011 Michael Marinaccio, who received his B.F.A.–Acting in 1998 from the University of Central Florida, has been hired as the producer for the Orlando Fringe Festival. Michael has contributed greatly to the Central Florida theatre community since his days at the university, working on and off stage with local theatres including...
Donny Allen featured by UCF Today
August 31, 2011 It was the “BRPPBBBB” sound that blasts from a trumpet—“so appealing to a 5th grader”— that got Donny Allen hooked on music. Today, as the director of the Marching Knights and the Jammin’ Knights, it is music’s power to inspire and connect that keeps him playing his passionate tune. “94%...
Music faculty join 9-11 memorial concert
August 15, 2011 On Sunday evening, September 11, UCF Music faculty members Kimberly Saunders Randall and Thomas Potter will be featured soloists in a special concert to remember and honor those who perished on “9-11” ten years ago. This First United Methodist Church of Orlando Chancel Choir and orchestra concert, entitled “We Remember...
UCF Music grad organizes Accidental Music Festival
July 27, 2011 Recent Music M.A. graduate Chris Belt has organized a contemporary music festival in downtown Orlando. The Accidental Music Festival will take place September 4-13, featuring ten days of concerts, public discussions with composers, open rehearsals, and a workshop for middle school and high school composers. Several UCF faculty members and...
Reedy and Potter in Orlando Arts Magazine
July 08, 2011 Robert Reedy and Thomas Potter are featured in the July/August 2011 edition of Orlando Arts Magazine. The latest issue profiles Reedy as a fine artist and a teacher and spotlights Potter’s professional career as well as the local outreach events he organizes through the UCF Opera program. Orlando Arts Magazine,...
UCF Theatre grad joins The Second City
June 30, 2011 David Knoell, who received his M.F.A. in Acting in 2006 from the University of Central Florida, has been accepted to the Directing Program at The Second City, the leading improv-based sketch comedy company. The competitive program is a year-long intensive program that will have Knoell teaching classes, working as the...
Hunting the Basilisk a Success for John Shafer
June 14, 2011 John Shafer’s play Hunting the Basilisk is currently being performed by the Looking for Lilith Theatre Company at The Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, KY. The play was first introduced at UCF as part of Women’s History Month. The UCF Women’s Studies and Theatre departments were sponsors and UCF students originated...
Knight Winds and García-Velázquez to perform at National Flute Association convention
May 04, 2011 The Knight Winds ensemble and Nora Lee García-Velázquez have been invited to perform at The National Flute Association Annual Convention in Charlotte, NC. The Knight Winds will perform in the evening on Saturday, August 13, while García-Velázquez will perform the following afternoon. Find out more about the Flute Studio at...
Ayako Yonetani to be Featured Soloist in Slovakia
April 27, 2011 Ayako Yonetani will be a featured soloist for the Beethoven concerto in two concerts during the Kosice Spring Music Festival in May in Slovakia. Yonetani has a concert in Spisska Nova Ves on May 17th, and Humenne on May 18th. This will be the orchestra’s 50 year anniversary season. For...
Sarah Purser wins 2011 Orlando Idol
February 23, 2011 Sarah Purser is the winner of Florida Opera Theatre’s 2011 Orlando Idol Voice Competition. Purser, 28, is currently a candidate for her Master’s Degree in Music, Vocal Performance and Conducting at UCF. She also is a songwriter and plays guitar in venues around Orlando. Jose Fajardo, President and CEO for...
Potter to Perform in Vero Beach Opera
February 14, 2011 Baritone Thomas Potter will sing the two roles of Dr. Bartolo and Antonio in a fully staged production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro on Sunday, March 20. The performance will take place in the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets available through calling 772-564-5537....
UCF Theatre Student “Best Performer in the World”
December 01, 2010 Rebecca Galarza, a junior and Musical Theatre major at the University of Central Florida, was recently chosen as the Best Female Performer in the World by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions during its Brass Ring Awards. The IAAPA Brass Ring conference and award ceremony, held Nov. 17...
Flute Students Perform Well in Recent Competitions
November 30, 2010 Adriane Hill won the concerto competition 2010 Sophomore Stephanie Hoeckley – Finalist Florida Young Artist Junior Kate Nichols Alternate Florida Young Artist Sophomore
John Almeida to present at 64th annual "Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic"
November 04, 2010 John Almeida has been invited to present a clinic at the 64th Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL. The event will take place Dec. 15–18, 2010. Mr. Almeida’s clinic is entitled “Sound Ideas on Playing the Trumpet” and will be presented on Friday morning Dec. 17. The clinic...
Rebecca Galarza Selected as Finalist for IAAPA Brass Ring Awards
November 01, 2010 Congratulations to Rebecca Galarza for becoming a finalist for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Brass Ring Awards – Best Female Performer of the Year! The IAAPA Membership is composed of every Amusement Park, Waterpark, zoo, or public attraction in the world. Brass Ring Awards deliver recognition to...
Potter joins Orlando Philharmonic for "Home for the Holidays"
October 25, 2010 UCF Opera Director and baritone Thomas Potter will perform as soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for its “Home for the Holidays” concert—two performances at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 27. Highlights will include “O Holy Night”, “Panis Angelicus”, and “White Christmas”. For more information, please...
Jeff Rupert at the Kennedy Center
October 07, 2010 Jeff Rupert performs at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on October 30 with singer Kevin Mahogany. Mahogany will sing one of Rupert’s compositions from his latest album, From Memphis to Mobile. Rupert will provide saxophone accompaniment during the performance. With his gift for bebop, ballads, blues, and swinging jazz,...