Music School Faculty Recognized as Outstanding Professors
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has recently bestowed the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor upon two of its esteemed faculty members, Peter Kazaras and Ian Krouse. This honour, UCLA's highest faculty rank, recognises pre-eminent authorities in their respective fields.
Peter Kazaras, the inaugural Director of Opera UCLA and holder of the Susan G. and Michel D. Covel MD Chair, has been a significant figure at the school since his arrival in 2007. With a celebrated career as an opera performer, director, and leader of young-artist programs, Kazaras has directed, supervised, or produced nearly 40 productions at UCLA. His notable accomplishments include world premieres of operas, such as *The Grand Hotel Tartarus* by Richard Danielpour, and a commitment to diversity and innovation, with a focus on new works by women composers.
Kazaras' international career as an operatic tenor has seen him appear in many of the world's leading opera houses and sing in lauded premieres of new works by preeminent American composers. He also regularly directs for major professional companies, including the Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Los Angeles Opera.
Ian Krouse, co-division chair and professor of composition, has also been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor. While specific details about Krouse's career and achievements at UCLA were not provided, it is known that he has served as chair of the department of music and as an inaugural academic associate dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music during his tenure.
Krouse is internationally recognised as one of the leading composers of classical guitar music today. Performances and recordings of his works have been performed by major orchestras, choirs, wind ensembles, chamber groups, and soloists around the world.
The Herb Alpert School of Music is honoured to count both Kazaras and Krouse among its musical community and looks forward to their continued contributions and leadership. Vladimir Chernov, Juliana Gondek, Ray Knapp, and other faculty members also hold the Distinguished Professor rank, further cementing the school's reputation for academic excellence and artistic innovation.
[1] Source for information about Peter Kazaras: https://www.arts.ucla.edu/news/ucla-herb-alpert-school-of-music-promotes-peter-kazaras-to-distinguished-professor [2] Source for information about Ian Krouse: https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_id=864474 [3] Source for information about the Distinguished Professor rank: https://www.ucla.edu/council/faculty-affairs/faculty-appointments-promotions/distinguished-professor-rank [4] Source for information about the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music: https://www.herbalpertmusic.ucla.edu/
- Peter Kazaras' significant contributions to the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, spanning opera direction, world premieres, and a focus on diversity in new works, reflect his extensive lifestyle of artistic leadership and self-development in the field of music.
- In addition to his distinguished career as a composer, Ian Krouse's service as department chair and academic administrator at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music demonstrates his profound impact on education-and-self-development within the institution and the broader classical music community.
