World music ensembles

Expanding the student experience through world music

March 8, 2023

Our world music ensembles mark three decades of exploring artistic identity, intercultural collaboration, global pedagogy and multidisciplinary approaches to music-making at the College of Music.

Alexina Louie

Visiting composer Alexina Louie navigates Asian identity in Western classical music

Feb. 7, 2023

In a week-long residency coming up—including four free, public events—Canadian composer Alexina Louie will explore what it means to find your own voice and identity.

Lydia Wagenknecht, Susan Thomas and Xóchitl Chávez

Graduate student researchers explore Pueblo’s Soundscapes

Jan. 24, 2023

It was a busy fall for the American Music Research Center (AMRC)! One of the many efforts underway is the Soundscapes of the People project. Two CU Ƶ PhD students—Lydia Wagenknecht and Ben Cefkin—are working on this project alongside AMRC Director Susan Thomas, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology Austin Okigbo and...

Takács Quartet with GBYO students

Takács Quartet launches CU Series, expands community engagement

Dec. 7, 2022

“Having a ‘home’ audience of loyal Takács fans is a huge honor … and makes the concert experience more than just about the music itself. It’s about the relationships formed through the shared love of music.”

Grace Leslieat the ATLAS Research Open House

Can music heal? This artist and researcher wants to find out

Dec. 7, 2022

The work of Assistant Professor of Music Technology Grace Leslie—flutist, electronic musician and scientist—melds art, engineering and neuroscience to probe the millennia-spanning relationship between humans and a good tune ... and whether the right kind of music can help to heal the body and brain.

Dean John Davis and CU President Todd Saliman

Announcing a University Medal and increasing diverse representation in music

Dec. 1, 2022

In the final Dean’s Downbeat of the year, Dean John Davis announces Allan McMurray’s 2023 University Medal; describes how the important, prescient work of the Sphinx Organization underscores his vision for the College of Music ... and more.

Samantha Torres

Meet international student Samantha Torres: Music educator + DEI advocate

Nov. 30, 2022

International student Samantha Torres candidly shares how her culture influenced her to pursue a career in music education, the challenges she’s overcoming, and why attending our College of Music is the best institution to support her in achieving her goals and her DEI mission. “I know with conviction that with every step and even misstep, I continue to learn,” she says.

Alex Gonzalez

Assistant Professor of Violin Alex Gonzalez’s Faculty Tuesdays debut

Nov. 28, 2022

“This wonderful concert series allows the faculty to show our individuality in style and interests, and I’m excited to share my perspective in my first Faculty Tuesdays recital this week!” says new Assistant Professor of Violin Alex Gonzalez.

Kedrick Armstrong

Kedrick Armstrong conducts delayed premiere of Irene Britton Smith’s “Sinfonietta”

Nov. 10, 2022

The career of Kedrick Armstrong—graduate orchestral conducting student—is quickly gaining momentum, including conducting the CU Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Irene Britton Smith’s “Sinfonietta” next week.

Avedis Escandon

Meet Avedis Escandon: first Genevieve McVey Wisner Memorial Scholarship recipient

Nov. 2, 2022

Violist Avedis Escandon shares what diversity means to him and how he strives to encourage others to become DEI advocates as well. “Just like with music, major changes don’t happen overnight—change requires small bits of effort over time, so we cannot discount the impact of a meaningful dialogue.”

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