UCSC mariachi ensemble at the music center recital hall.

People

Music Department Chair (2024-25) – Amy C. Beal – chair.music@ucsc.edu

Music Department Director of Graduate Studies (2024-25) – Nicol Hammond – musicdgs@ucsc.edu

Music Department Committees & Posts – Click Here


Music Department Faculty

Name TitlePhoneCampus EmailOther EmailOffice Location
Jay AfrisandoAssistant Professor of Music
  • Assistant Professor of Music
831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
jafrisan@ucsc.edu
284
  • 284
Amy C BealProfessor of Music; Music Department Chair
  • Professor of Music; Music Department Chair
831-459-5585
  • 831-459-5585
abeal@ucsc.eduabeal@ucsc.edu
Benjamin L CarsonProfessor, Music Department
  • Professor, Music Department
blc@ucsc.edu
148
  • 148
Nicol Claire HammondAssociate Professor
  • Associate Professor
8314592019
  • 8314592019
nihammon@ucsc.edu
290
  • 290
Yolande Constance HarrisAssitant Professor in Teaching
  • Assitant Professor in Teaching
yharris@ucsc.edu
000#
  • 000#
Karlton E HesterDirector Of Jazz Studies
  • Director Of Jazz Studies
831-459-2575
  • 831-459-2575
hesteria@ucsc.eduhesteria@ucsc.edu
Bruce Anthony KieslingAssociate Professor
  • Associate Professor
(831) 459-2292)
  • (831) 459-2292)
bkieslin@ucsc.edubruce@ucsc.edu
Hi Kyung KimProfessor
  • Professor
831-459-3191
  • 831-459-3191
hkim@ucsc.eduhkim@ucsc.edu
Tanya Heather MerchantAssociate Professor
  • Associate Professor
831-459-5762
  • 831-459-5762
merchant@ucsc.edu
286
  • 286
Akua Naru
anaru@ucsc.edu
Dard A NeumanAssociate Professor of Music
  • Associate Professor of Music
831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
dneuman@ucsc.edu
Music 287
  • Music 287
Russell C RodriguezAssistant Professor
  • Assistant Professor
831-459-3117
  • 831-459-3117
rucrodri@ucsc.edu
Matthew Thurman SchumakerAssistant Professor
  • Assistant Professor
mschumak@ucsc.edu
333
  • 333
Nina K TreadwellProfessor
  • Professor
831-459-4264
  • 831-459-4264
treadwel@ucsc.edu
289
  • 289
James Gordon WilliamsAssistant Professor of Composition
  • Assistant Professor of Composition
000-000-0000
  • 000-000-0000
jwilli46@ucsc.edujgwcomposer@ucsc.edu291
  • 291

Affiliated Faculty

Name TitleDepartmentPhoneCampus EmailOffice Location
Anna FrizAssociate Professor
  • Associate Professor
Film and Digital Media Department
  • Film and Digital Media Department
831-459-4514
  • 831-459-4514
afriz@ucsc.edu125
  • 125
Eric C PorterProfessor
  • Professor
History Department
  • History Department
831-459-5287 (office, voice mail checked infrequently)
  • 831-459-5287 (office, voice mail checked infrequently)
ecporter@ucsc.edu235
  • 235

Music Department Lecturers

Name TitlePhoneCampus EmailOther EmailOffice Location
Francis Kofi AkotuahLecturer
  • Lecturer
5165037291
  • 5165037291
fakotuah@ucsc.edufkakotuah@gmail.com114
  • 114
Ashwin K BatishMr.
  • Mr.
8314231699
  • 8314231699
asbatish@ucsc.edubatishs@sbcglobal.net287
  • 287
Brian James BaumbuschLecturer
  • Lecturer
(571) 217-1640
  • (571) 217-1640
bbaumbus@ucsc.edubbaumbusch@gmail.comGamelan Building
  • Gamelan Building
Nathaniel Aaron BermanConductor, UCSC Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble
  • Conductor, UCSC Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble
831-459-5106
  • 831-459-5106
natb@ucsc.edunatberman1@gmail.com145
  • 145
Paul D ContosLecturer Saxophone
  • Lecturer Saxophone
831-251-8576
  • 831-251-8576
pcontos@ucsc.edupdcontos@gmail.com831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
William D CoulterSenior Lecturer in Guitar
  • Senior Lecturer in Guitar
831-566-2081
  • 831-566-2081
billski@ucsc.edubillski@ucsc.edu
Maria V EzerovaLecturer Piano
  • Lecturer Piano
831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
mvezerov@ucsc.edumvezerov@ucsc.edu
Giacomo FioreContinuing Lecturer
  • Continuing Lecturer
(831) 459-2164
  • (831) 459-2164
gfiore@ucsc.edu
126
  • 126
Bruce Foster
brfoster@ucsc.edu
Ed Garcia
elgarcia@ucsc.edu
Viviana GuzmanFlute Faculty
  • Flute Faculty
viguzman@ucsc.edu
Charles R HamiltonBig Band Ensemble/ Small Combo Director
  • Big Band Ensemble/ Small Combo Director
5106105961
  • 5106105961
chrhamil@ucsc.eduflugelboneprod@aol.comRoom 114
  • Room 114
Madison Erin HeyingLecturer
  • Lecturer
(858)7222709
  • (858)7222709
mheying@ucsc.edumadisonhkant@gmail.comN/A
  • N/A
Erin C IrvineLecturer in Music
  • Lecturer in Music
8315294801
  • 8315294801
eirvine@ucsc.eduerin-irvine@hotmail.comN/A
  • N/A
Faith S LanamContinuing Lecturer / Dr.
  • Continuing Lecturer / Dr.
flanam@ucsc.edu
Room 126
  • Room 126
Scott C MaksonMedia Systems Engineer
  • Media Systems Engineer
(831)502-8488
  • (831)502-8488
smakson@ucsc.edusmakson@ucsc.edu47
  • 47
Roy T MalanLecturer Violin/Viola
  • Lecturer Violin/Viola
831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
rmalan@ucsc.edurmalan@ucsc.edu
Christopher Boyd MallettGuitar Lecturer
  • Guitar Lecturer
6198405927
  • 6198405927
cmallett@ucsc.educbmgeetar@gmail.com277
  • 277
George E MarshLecturer Drum Set
  • Lecturer Drum Set
831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
gmarsh@ucsc.edumarshdrum@icloud.com
Michael J McgushinStaff Accompanist
  • Staff Accompanist
831-459-5582
  • 831-459-5582
mjmcg@ucsc.edumjmcg@ucsc.edu
Daniel L MunozLecturer
  • Lecturer
(714) 655-1079
  • (714) 655-1079
danielm@ucsc.edu
Remote work location
  • Remote work location
Alexander James Nunes
anunes@ucsc.edu
N/A
  • N/A
Christopher J PratoriusContinuing Lecturer
  • Continuing Lecturer
(831) 459-2292 (Music Center)
  • (831) 459-2292 (Music Center)
seixas@ucsc.educpratorius@yahoo.com126
  • 126
Richard S RoperContinuing Lecturer Music- Trumpet
  • Continuing Lecturer Music- Trumpet
(831) 459-2292
  • (831) 459-2292
rsroper@ucsc.edurichardroper1@yahoo.com138
  • 138
Vanessa RuotoloApplied Faculty
  • Applied Faculty
4153172147
  • 4153172147
vruotolo@ucsc.eduvanessa123@earthlink.net268
  • 268
Emily Victoria SinclairContinuing Lecturer, Voice
  • Continuing Lecturer, Voice
evsincla@ucsc.eduevsinclair@gmail.com278
  • 278
David Olof SmithJazz Bass Lecturer
  • Jazz Bass Lecturer
8313348688
  • 8313348688
dsmith32@ucsc.educrookedtoemusic@gmail.comBass Studio
  • Bass Studio
Avi TchamniLecturer in Music
  • Lecturer in Music
831-459-2019
  • 831-459-2019
atchamni@ucsc.eduavitc@yahoo.com126
  • 126
Magdalena VegaLecturer
  • Lecturer
(831) 459-2292
  • (831) 459-2292
msvega@ucsc.edu
n/a
  • n/a
Susan C VollmerLecturer Horn
  • Lecturer Horn
6505751586
  • 6505751586
svollmer@ucsc.edusvollmer2001@yahoo.com271
  • 271
Sheila Kay WilleyLecturer
  • Lecturer
831-334-9700
  • 831-334-9700
swilley@ucsc.eduSheilakwilley@gmail.com
William K WinantLecturer Percussion
  • Lecturer Percussion
831-459-2292
  • 831-459-2292
wwinant@ucsc.edusteakatto@hotmail.com
Chia-Lin YangLecturer in Piano
  • Lecturer in Piano
415-518-8329
  • 415-518-8329
cyang67@ucsc.edu
Gabriel Wilcox YoungLecturer in Music – Oboe
  • Lecturer in Music – Oboe
5413269045
  • 5413269045
gyoung5@ucsc.edugabey07@gmail.com271
  • 271

Music Department Staff

Name TitlePhoneCampus EmailOffice LocationOffice Hours
Weslynn Paige CedenoGraduate Programs Coordinator
  • Graduate Programs Coordinator
(831) 459-3199
  • (831) 459-3199
wcedeno@ucsc.edu244
  • 244
Monday – Friday, approx. 9AM – 5PM (hybrid)
  • Monday – Friday, approx. 9AM – 5PM (hybrid)
William D CoulterSenior Lecturer in Guitar
  • Senior Lecturer in Guitar
831-566-2081
  • 831-566-2081
billski@ucsc.edu
Susan A GautieriMusic Center Facilities Manager
  • Music Center Facilities Manager
831-459-5475
  • 831-459-5475
susang@ucsc.edu
Monday, through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Wednesday remote) – Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.emails checked outside of these hours
  • Monday, through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Wednesday remote) – Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.emails checked outside of these hours
Adriana GonzalezDepartment Assistant
  • Department Assistant
(831) 459-2292
  • (831) 459-2292
agonz419@ucsc.edu244#
  • 244#
Cory Michael Graves-MontalbanoAssistant Department Manager & Undergraduate Programs Coordinator
  • Assistant Department Manager & Undergraduate Programs Coordinator
831-459-2804
  • 831-459-2804
cgravesm@ucsc.edu246
  • 246
Colin Dahl HannonStaff Accompanist
  • Staff Accompanist
colinh@ucsc.edu
Ricardo Lomelí GómezDepartment Manager
  • Department Manager
(831) 459-2809
  • (831) 459-2809
rilomeli@ucsc.edu246
  • 246
Monday – Friday, approx. 9AM – 5PM (hybrid)
  • Monday – Friday, approx. 9AM – 5PM (hybrid)
David C MorrisonTechnical Director
  • Technical Director
831-459-4238
  • 831-459-4238
davemorr@ucsc.edu152
  • 152
Variable
  • Variable
Luke Lawrence ShepherdSenior Lead Staff Acompanist
  • Senior Lead Staff Acompanist
8016809773
  • 8016809773
llshephe@ucsc.eduMusic Center #125
  • Music Center #125
Andrew ZenczakElectronic Music Studios Technician
  • Electronic Music Studios Technician
831-588-7307
  • 831-588-7307
azenczak@ucsc.edu188
  • 188
Mon – Thu 10AM-3PM
  • Mon – Thu 10AM-3PM

Music Department Graduate Students

Name TitleCampus EmailWebsite
Ontario Ontario Alexander
loalexan@ucsc.edu
Monica Francesca AmbalalPhd candidate
  • Phd candidate
mambalal@ucsc.eduhttps://www.merritt.edu/music/monica-ambalal/ Merritt College Faculty Page
  • https://www.merritt.edu/music/monica-ambalal/ Merritt College Faculty Page
Forrest Balman
wbalman@ucsc.edu
Siamak BarghiPhD Student in Ethnomusicology
  • PhD Student in Ethnomusicology
sbarghi@ucsc.edu
Lydia Wallace Barrett
lywbarre@ucsc.edu
Nina BarzegarDMA Candidate in Composition
  • DMA Candidate in Composition
nbarzega@ucsc.eduhttps://www.youtube.com/@ninabarzegar4169/null youtube channel
  • https://www.youtube.com/@ninabarzegar4169/null youtube channel
Keshav Ram BatishDMA Candidate
  • DMA Candidate
kbatish@ucsc.eduhttp://www.keshavbatish.com Website
  • http://www.keshavbatish.com Website
Vannah Bourne
smbourne@ucsc.edu
Drew Michael Daniels-Rosenberg
dmdaniel@ucsc.edu
Benjamin Neil DorfanDMA Student
  • DMA Student
bdorfan@ucsc.edu
Rodrigo Díaz Barriga LópezGraduate Student
  • Graduate Student
rdiazbar@ucsc.eduhttps://rodrigobarriga.com/ Main Website
  • https://rodrigobarriga.com/ Main Website
Pierre Eghdami
peghdami@ucsc.edu
Christopher EveringhamGraduate Student Faculty
  • Graduate Student Faculty
cpeverin@ucsc.edu
Joseph FinkelGraduate Candidate
  • Graduate Candidate
jofinkel@ucsc.eduhttps://scalar.usc.edu/works/john-cages-mycology-collection/index “If I had my live to love over again, I would be a Botanist”: John Cage’s Mycology Collection
  • https://scalar.usc.edu/works/john-cages-mycology-collection/index “If I had my live to love over again, I would be a Botanist”: John Cage’s Mycology Collection
Michael John Fleming
mjflemin@ucsc.edu
Seth Glickman
sglickma@ucsc.edu
Vahid JahandariDoctoral Student (DMA)
  • Doctoral Student (DMA)
vjahanda@ucsc.eduhttps://www.youtube.com/@vahidjahandari YouTube Channel
  • https://www.youtube.com/@vahidjahandari YouTube Channel
Dohyun Jeon
dojeon@ucsc.edu
Sean Albert KeenanPhD Candidate in Cross-Cultural Musicology
  • PhD Candidate in Cross-Cultural Musicology
sakeenan@ucsc.edu
Maisha Lani
mlani@ucsc.edu
David Reeves Long
drlong@ucsc.edu
Shireen NabatianPhD candidate
  • PhD candidate
snabatia@ucsc.edu
Balakrishnan RaghavanMr.
  • Mr.
braghava@ucsc.edu
Kolawole James RasheedMr.
  • Mr.
krasheed@ucsc.edu
Savanna Lynn SolianM.A.
  • M.A.
ssolian@ucsc.edu
Wesley Edward Somers
wsomers@ucsc.edu
Vidula SonagraNA
  • NA
vsonagra@ucsc.edu
Grijda Spiri
gspiri@ucsc.edu
Ashwin Suseendran
asuseend@ucsc.edu
Arya TavallaeiGraduate Student
  • Graduate Student
artavall@ucsc.edu
Tyler John ThomGraduate Student
  • Graduate Student
tyjthom@ucsc.edu
Stephanie Francis ValadezPhD Student
  • PhD Student
sfvalade@ucsc.eduhttps://www.xicameri.com Xicameri Productions
  • https://www.xicameri.com Xicameri Productions
Alexander Michael Wand
awand@ucsc.edu

Postdoctoral Scholars

Name TitleCampus EmailWebsite
Jonathan B MyersAssistant Researcher in Systematic Musicology
  • Assistant Researcher in Systematic Musicology
jbmyers@ucsc.eduhttps://swara.studio Swara.Studio: Interactive Digital Transcription and Analysis Platform
  • https://swara.studio Swara.Studio: Interactive Digital Transcription and Analysis Platform

Music Department Emeriti

Name TitleDepartmentCampus Email
David H CopeProfessor
  • Professor
Music Department
  • Music Department
howell@ucsc.edu
Walter S Dudley
sdudley@ucsc.edu
David Dean Dunn
dddunn@ucsc.edu
Edward F Houghton
houghtn@ucsc.edu
David Evan JonesProfessor
  • Professor
Music Department
  • Music Department
dej@ucsc.edu
Anatole LeikinProfessor
  • Professor
Music Department
  • Music Department
asl@ucsc.edu
Leta E MillerProfessor
  • Professor
Music Department
  • Music Department
leta@ucsc.edu
Gordon Mumma
gmumma@ucsc.edu
Nicole A PaiementProfessor
  • Professor
Music Department
  • Music Department
ichi@ucsc.edu
John M Schechter
jschech@ucsc.edu
Undang SumarnaLecturer Gamelan
  • Lecturer Gamelan
Music Department
  • Music Department
kumis@ucsc.edu

Music Department Alumni

Will McIntyre, B.M., ’07

(B.M., American Studies/Music -Percussion, ’07) is a composer for major network T.V. series, for which he has won two ASCAP awards. He plays with the Nublu Orchestra and The Lucky Cheng Orchestra and is composer for Shore and Tomboy.

~Alumni Will McIntrye’s duo Tomboy has been featured on Buzzfeed’s article “10 Queer Lady Musicians You Seriously Need In Your Life Right Now” Also, check out their Youtube Page!


Kendra Mckinley, ’12

Since graduating from the UCSC music department in 2012, Kendra McKinley has jumped headfirst into a life of songwriting and live performance. Beginning with a job performing on a river boat tour in Portugal, she spent ninety days traveling in eight European countries playing concerts, writing songs, and studying with the local musicians she met along the way.
Now residing in San Francisco’s Mission District, she continues to write and perform original music both as a solo act and with her full electric band, which features her older brother, and fellow UCSC music alum, A.J McKinley. She also works as a music teacher and is a committed member of the San Francisco music industry meet up called Balanced Breakfast: a weekly forum for music professionals of all trades to discuss the state of the music industry, plan events, and provide community for the local scene. 
McKinley is currently recording her second album at Tiny Telephone Recording Studios (SF) to be released in 2016.
Highlights:
-Performing at The Fillmore (Jan. 2015) in the first all female line-up in the history of the venue.-SXSW (2015)

-Cover story in Santa Cruz Weekly:http://www.santacruz.com/news/kendra_mckinley_poised_for_big_things.html-Listed one of “Best New Bands”: http://www.bestnewbands.com/featured-artists/passion-psychedelic-pop-kendra-mckinley/


Nilu, B.A. ’11

Nilu has been performing her compositions and arrangements in the LA area. She is recording her first album with her music manager American Idol judge and Grammy winner, Randy Jackson. nilu’s arrangement of “How To Save A Life” by The Fray, was in the episode of the hit show “Grey’s Anatomy”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwmVmz38ANg She also recently performed at His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday celebration. 


Elliot Nguyễn, B.M., ’14

(B.M. Music – Voice ’14) is the Choral Director for St. Mary’s High School. Elliot holds a private teaching studio in Livermore, and made his debut with a few different opera companies in the Bay Area. He is also singing Count Ceprano in Rigoletto with Island City Opera in Jan.


Zachary Peletz, ’06

(Individual Major: Music Performance and Production, ’06). Zach is a lighting and video design programmer specialist. In this capacity he has worked for various productions including: 2008 Beijing Olympics, Red Hot Chili Peppers tour, Jennifer Lopez (J.Lo) tour and Miley Cyrus “Bangerz” tour. 


Aura Riddell, ’05

Aura Ruddell graduated in ’05 with highest honors with piano as her primary instrument and was active in the world music ensembles during her time at UCSC.  She has since been teaching a full private piano studio, in addition to recording and performing with various bands all over the Seattle area.  She has recently released a highly anticipated debut solo album – a blend of folk, pop, and Japanese traditional music.  Website: www.auraruddell.com

Website: http://auraruddell.com


Kent Nagano, B.A. ’74

(B.A., sociology/music, ’74) is an internationally renowned conductor, currently serving as music director of the Bavarian State Opera. He has won two recent Grammy Awards for Best Opera Recording and for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.


Dr. Jonathan C Hoefs, D.M.A ’17

https://www.freshears.org


Rubina Hovhannisyan, M.A. ’23

MA Student in Performance Practice (Voice)


Ryan Lambe, Ph.D. ’23

Ryan Lambe is a Ph.D. Candidate studying cross-cultural musicology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His dissertation is an ethnographic study of performance and emotion in US queer open mics examined through queer and critical race lenses. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Music Education at Idaho State University before teaching general and vocal music to underserved populations in New Jersey public schools. His MA in Music from the UC, Santa Cruz examined queer musical hermeneutics in US pop and art musics. In his free time, Ryan enjoys cooperative games, cartoons, and playing early music. He teaches music history, theory, world music, and cultural studies using active and inclusive pedagogies derived from queer open mic practices.


Melodie Michel, Ph.D.

Early Music Performer, I travelled around the world to meet musician from different classical music cultures, creating discussions about common issues. Through my UCSC PhD I wish to create bridges between performance and research, early music and ethnomusicology, and between culturally informed performance practice and personal creativity. 

Selected Performances: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQucfZACCCoWjzNomVcZ82g7eXjeyoBeI


Samuel Shalhoub, M.A. Performance Practice Alum ’16

Graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz in June, 2016, with his Master of Art degree in Music. His emphasis was renaissance lute and classical guitar performance practice, yet he cultivated many of his other talents as well, including conducting wind ensemble, composing for various experimental ensembles, and teaching theory and musicianship to undergraduates. Currently, Samuel performs regularly as a soloist, and with his early music ensemble Apostasy. He is active throughout the central coast, from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz, and is currently running for a Board of Trustees seat on the Coast Unified School District School Board. In the future, Samuel hopes to produce his opera, “Music, the Tormentor” which features a guitar orchestra, and open the Cambria Academy of Music in an effort to preserve and cultivate musical arts in his community. At present, Samuel is working as a Music Lecturer for Summer Session’s MUSC 6 Classical Guitar Ensemble.


Sudhu Tewari, Ph.D.

Research Interests: 

Sound Art, experimental musical instruments, improvisation, recording technology and electronic music.

Website: 

www.sudhutewari.com


Are you a former Music Department student that would like to be featured in our alumni section? Let us know!

The Alumni page is created manually by department staff, and is an ongoing work in progress. If you don’t see your name listed above and would like to be listed, please provide the following:

  • First/Last Name
  • Year of Graduation
  • Degree
  • Brief one-paragraph bio
  • Link to website/performance/etc (optional, limit 1 per alumni)
Last modified: Nov 26, 2024