Conductor’s milestone year “sort of planned itself,” he says.
Author Archives: Paul Hodgins
Paul Hodgins was born in Canada, where he studied piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music and became a professional accompanist by the age of 20. Hodgins worked widely in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. as an accompanist and music professor at Simon Fraser University, the Banff Centre for the Arts, Nonington College (Kent), Eastern Michigan University, and many festivals. He moved to the U.S. to pursue graduate studies in the 1980s and has lived here ever since, completing his doctorate in musical composition at the University of Southern California.
Hodgins was a professor of music at the University of California Irvine from 1985 to 1992, where he served as music director of the dance department and founding director of the Gassman Electronic Music Studio. After freelancing as a classical music critic at the San Diego Union-Tribune, he became an arts journalist and critic for The Orange County Register, where he wrote principally about theater and later about dance and classical music.
In addition to his expertise in the performing arts, Hodgins has written extensively about jazz, architecture, interior design and urban planning. For the last decade he has written a regular column about wine, beer and spirits for the Register.
Hodgins has written two books. Music, Movement and Metaphor, a study of dance-music relationships in 20th-century choreography, was published in 1992. The Winemakers of Paso Robles came out in 2017.
Hodgins remains active as an educator. He has been on the journalism faculty at California State University, Fullerton since 2001. He has also taught journalism at Cal State Long Beach and UCLA Extension.
Hodgins and his wife have lived in downtown Huntington Beach for 20 years. Some day he will learn how to surf.
Languages spoken: English
Areas of expertise: Orange County, theater, dance, music and arts issues.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE, Dance, Laguna Beach, Music, Top Stories
Laguna Beach Music Festival Puts On Some Toe Shoes
This year, the annual chamber music festival has a dance theme and a visiting ballet company.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Hodgins: Something’s Missing from O.C.’s Major Stages: Hispanics
Though Asian theater is finding representation at the biggest local theaters, Latinx plays and playwrights are largely marginalized.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE, Santa Ana, Theater, Top Stories
Breath of Fire Continues to Roar 15 Years After Its Birth
Theater: Despite challenges that included going dark for a time, the all-Latina theater group is as strong and relevant as ever.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Hodgins: The Top 10 Arts Events For The New Year
If you are looking for inspiration for something to do in the new year, we have the list for you.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Hodgins: Should Imagination Celebration be Scrapped or Revived?
ANALYSIS: The annual festival, begun with fervor in the ’80s, needs money, marketing, and a new partnership with O.C.’s biggest arts center.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE, Costa Mesa, Music, Top Stories
A ‘Nutcracker’ Like You’ve Never Heard
PREVIEW: The Duke/Strayhorn re-imagination of Tchaikovsky’s beloved “Nutcracker” will be performed by the Pacific Symphony.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE, Dance, Music, San Clemente, Top Stories
It Takes Six to Tango
PREVIEW: Redwood Tango Ensemble will showcase artistry of the genre in San Clemente.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE, Countywide, Culture, Top Stories
Are You Looking For Something To Do For The Holidays?
We’ve put together a list of 48 events to enjoy with your family to get you in the spirit of the holiday season.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE, Costa Mesa, Theater, Top Stories
Creating a Scrooge for the Ages
PREVIEW: Jerry Patch had no idea his version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ would become a staple at SCR for almost four decades.
