James Darrah, a rising star in the small but flashy world of boundary-pushing opera directors, takes the helm has artistic director of Long Beach Opera.
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.
75-Year-Old Agreement Keeps Musicians Working During the Pandemic
Music Performance Trust Fund, in agreement with the American Federation of Musicians, is providing funds and opportunities for professional musicians to perform at streaming events
SCR Announces a Live Mini Season of Streaming, Outdoor Events
After a year with no audiences, SCR has announced a mini spring/summer season of plays, starting online in spring, then moving outdoors for summer at Mission San Juan Capistrano with live audiences.
Artists Housing in Santa Ana Gives Painter Second Chance at an “American Dream”
The Santa Ana Arts Collective development offers housing to local artists with limited incomes, something applauded by affordable housing advocates.
Hodgins: Local Arts Groups Get Creative and Prepare for a Post-COVID World
In Orange County alone, 137 arts organizations and businesses in 27 cities received relief funds totaling more than $2.7 million.
Orange County Women’s Chorus Creates ‘Something New’ for Our Times
The O.C. Women’s Chorus presents an immersive choral concert, including a new work created specifically for virtual performance, as a Christmas present to its fans.
Prominent Orange County Arts Supporter William J. Gillespie Dies
William J. Gillespie was a prominent Orange County philanthropist whose love of the performing arts, especially dance, led to generous donations to several local organizations.
Hodgins: Segerstrom Center Refuses to Let the Pandemic Keep the Curtain Down
Live-streamed events and planning for outdoor performances keep the lights on at O.C.’s largest performing arts center for now.
Pageant of the Masters Still Hoping Ticketholders Will Let it Slide
Patrons are frustrated that refunds have still not been made for the Pageant of the Masters. Pageant officials offer the latest updates on the festival’s policies regarding the cancelled 2020 festival.
Fullerton’s Hunt Library Gets a New Life. Will Its Biggest Champions Be a Part of It?
ArtsOC and Heritage Future have a won a bid to take over the management and use of the Hunt Library space in Fullerton.



