Betting big that audiences will return in force, O.C.’s premier presenter of visiting classical musicians and groups unveils an impressive lineup.
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
An Evening With Renée Fleming is the Perfect Way to Celebrate the Normality We Crave
REVIEW: Renée Fleming’s electric performance during the Barclay’s first in-person post-pandemic indoor concert was a welcome balm for an enthusiastic audience.
Posted inMusic
MenAlive Camps Out With Its Upcoming Concert — Cautiously
The Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus presents its latest show online and plans to wait until the fall at least before returning to the stage.
Posted inPaul Hodgins
Hodgins: Performing Arts Groups Prepare to Reopen with Caution, Hope and New Tools
Performing arts leaders share how they’re approaching this new and unprecedented chapter in the cultural life of Orange County.
Posted inMusic
Pacific Symphony Aims to COVID-Proof a Verdi Opera Without Losing its Passion or Intimacy
Pacific Symphony searches for inventive ways to stage an opera under COVID restrictions and protocols.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Hodgins: Pacific Symphony’s New Assistant Conductor Finds Plenty to Do Despite the Pandemic
Jacob Sustaita lands his dream job in O.C. after spending the first half of his career as a teacher.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
One Year Late, Pacific Symphony’s Season Finally Arrives
The orchestra’s 2020-21 season, delayed by the pandemic, has been resurrected for 2021-22, with a few changes and some precautions.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Anaheim City Council Unanimously Votes to Keep Anaheim Ballet in its Home Studio — for Now
After being lured to Anaheim 24 years ago, Anaheim Ballet has 18 months to find a new home before being kicked out of its current location due to changes in affordable-housing laws.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Hodgins: ‘It’s Time to Pass the Torch,’ Says Founder of O.C.’s Premier Arts School
Ralph Opacic, who founded the Orange County School of the Arts 34 years ago, is stepping down as the leader of the school. He will continue to be involved in a consulting and fundraising capacity.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Chance Theater’s Difficult Year Ends With a Major Award
Chance Theater picks up the “Best Production of a Musical — Intimate Theatre” at the 2021 Ovation Awards for its production of “Fun Home.”
