Music School welcome Fresh Academic Staff
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is set to welcome a new cohort of talented jazz musicians and distinguished faculty members starting in September 2025.
The incoming class at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance includes six exceptional young artists, each specializing in a different instrument. Trumpeter Nicolaus Gelin, trombonist Nathan Gilbreath, guitarist Mwanzi Harriott, bassist Yerin Kim, pianist Elisee Ngbo, and drummer Mailo Rakotonanahary are poised to make their mark in the world of jazz.
In addition to the incoming students, the School of Music is also welcoming new faculty members. Jan Berry Baker, an accomplished saxophonist, has joined the department as Associate Professor of Saxophone and Woodwind area head. Baker is a founding member of the Committee on the Status of Women in NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) and co-artistic director of the contemporary music ensemble, Bent Frequency.
Catherine Provenzano, an ethnomusicologist with a regional specialty in North America, has joined the faculty as Assistant Professor of Musicology. Provenzano's academic focus is on voice, mediation, and labor in contexts of popular music production. She earned her Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from New York University and has presented research at numerous academic conferences.
David Kaplan, an alumnus of UCLA, has returned to the School of Music as Assistant Professor of Piano Performance. Kaplan is an accomplished soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, and is a core member of Decoda, the affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall.
Ambroise Aubrun, a violinist praised for his tone and versatility as a soloist and chamber musician, has prior associations with UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music before his current role as Associate Professor of Violin at UNLV. However, there is no explicit indication that he is newly appointed in 2025.
The School of Music is also seeking part-time lecturers, with the UCLA Global Jazz Studies 2025-26 part-time lecturer in jazz currently being advertised.
Catherine Provenzano is eager to join the engaged academic community at the Herb Alpert School of Music and is committed to the School's commitment to excellent public education. Provenzano has conducted ethnographic research with software developers, audio engineers, music producers, and artists in various locations, including Los Angeles, Nashville, Silicon Valley, and Germany.
Jan Berry Baker is an active orchestral saxophonist who has performed with ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Baker earned her master's and doctoral degrees in music from Northwestern University.
David Kaplan has studied conducting at the University de Künste in Berlin on a Fulbright fellowship. Kaplan has an article published in the Journal of Popular Music Studies and has taught courses in popular music, critical listening, analysis of recorded sound and music, and music and media at NYU and The New School.
The new talent and faculty members joining the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music are sure to contribute to the School's reputation as a leading institution in music education and research.
- The upcoming academic year at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music promises an enriching blend of education-and-self-development and entertainment, as the School welcomes new jazz talents and faculty members.
- As part of their development, the incoming students at the School of Music might find opportunities to delve into various genres, such as jazz and popular music, and even engage in entertainment activities, such as listening to music or attending live performances.
