As the 2022-23 season begins, local arts leaders must navigate a changed landscape and coax patrons back to their seats.
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 inMusic
Pacific Chorale Joins the L.A. Phil to Help Bring Mozart Movie to Life
On the heels of winning a Grammy this year, the Chorale will join the L.A. Philharmonic again at the Hollywood Bowl to provide live musical accompaniment for the movie ‘Amadeus.’
Posted inMusic
A Concert Helps Heal the Wounds of a Senseless Tragedy at Laguna Woods Church
Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale join forces to bring an evening of music in a ‘Concert of Healing’ for Geneva Presbyterian Church, months after a shooting there killed one person and wounded five others.
Posted inMusic
Pacific Symphony and South Coast Repertory Collaborate to Bring Salieri to Life
The partnership could be a sign of things to come as arts groups look for new ways to entice audiences back to theaters.
Posted inMusic
Violinist’s Piazzolla Passion Project Finally Comes to Life
The pandemic postponed a centennial celebration of the tango composer’s life, but the delay also made it richer and more complex.
Posted inPaul Hodgins
Hodgins: O.C. Arts Groups Emerge From Pandemic With New Ideas and Strengthened Resolve
The challenges of the last two years forced some arts organizations to the edge, but faithful patrons and generous help pulled them through.
Posted inMusic
Delfeayo Marsalis Says His Style of Jazz is What O.C. Needs Right Now
The famous family’s trombone virtuoso brings his band, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, to Soka University this Saturday.
Posted inMusic
Pacific Symphony Returns with an Ambitious Season
Highlights of their first full season since COVID shut down in-person performances include pianist Lang Lang and a new Vietnamese composer-in-residence.
Posted inMusic
Soka Performing Arts Center’s 10th Anniversary Season Arrives Late, But Maybe That’s a Good Thing
The university’s role as a major COVID vaccination center may have given its concert season an unexpected boost.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Looking Ahead at Arts and Culture in 2022
Voice of OC’s Arts & Culture writers reveal events they are looking forward to attending in the new year.
