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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.

Is Government Spending for the Arts the Whole Story?

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | July 5, 2019

While governments in the U.S. give less money to culture, this country has developed an alternate system of funding that reflects its character.

Santa Ana College Rescues O.C.’s Oldest Shakespeare Company

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | June 21, 2019

Shakespeare Orange County almost closed forever after 39 years. Then an offer came from out of nowhere.

What’s On Stage This Summer

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | June 19, 2019

Orange County stages teem with options from Eagles to ABBA.

Public Demand For Affordable Artists Apartments in Santa Ana Prompts City Outreach Effort

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | June 7, 2019

Santa Ana’s publicly funded residences for artists are part of a trend to integrate them into gentrifying communities. Artists Apartments’ $457,000 cost per unit is typical for subsidized housing.

Pacific Symphony Wraps Up Its 40th Season with “Mediocre” Mahler’s ‘Titan’

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | June 5, 2019

PREVIEW: Not always an orchestral favorite, how has Mahler become a go-to composer for major orchestras?

‘M. Butterfly’ Flies a Little Differently 30 Years After Its Creation

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | May 20, 2019

REVIEW: Strong performances and reverberations with the current cultural and political climate make SCR’s production worth a visit.

Santa Ana Lures Artists With Low-Rent Housing

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | May 10, 2019

When it opens in November, the Santa Ana Arts Collective will be the first rent-subsidized complex in Orange County intended specifically for artists.

‘90s Classic ‘Skylight’ Finds New Relevance at Chance Theater

Anaheim

By Paul Hodgins | May 6, 2019

REVIEW: David Hare’s “Skylight” at The Chance examines issues that are surprisingly urgent again.

Will Segerstrom Center Follow the National Diversity Trend When It Chooses a New Leader?

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins and Heide Janssen | May 3, 2019

As O.C.’s premiere arts center searches for a new president, will its board consider someone who reflects the changing demographics of Orange County?

Classical Icon Joshua Bell Joins Forces with Isserlis and Denk For a Concert at Segerstrom

Arts & Culture

By Paul Hodgins | May 1, 2019

PREVIEW: Is an all-star line-up stunt marketing or smart programming?